He said when.

When I say those words.

I’ve been floating on a cloud all day. I can’t get my talk with J out of my head. He didn’t say “if I feel that way” or “maybe someday I’ll feel that way,” it was “when.”

When he feels that way.

“Jesus, what the fuck kind of pussy trance did you put him in last night?”

“Excuse me?” I reply to Sasha, shaking myself from my thoughts.

Sasha pulls me into the pool room for some privacy while Jordan signs for a delivery. “You heard me. It’s bad enough my two best friends are fuck buddies, but J hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you got here. What happened?”

“I might have told him I love him last night.”

With Sasha’s dramatic makeup, it’s quite comical how wide her eyes seem right now. “Might have?”

“Okay, I wrote it out and then I told him too.”

She leans against the wall and looks out toward J at the bar. “Huh.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I’m not sure,” she answers, flicking imaginary lint off her shoulder.

“Sasha …”

Nibbling on her bottom lip, she looks between him and I. “What happened afterward?”

“I was going to leave, but he stopped me and we had sex.”

“Tyler told J he loved him a few years ago, and J immediately broke up with him,” she blurts out in a very un-Sasha way.

“I have something to tell you, but you can’t say anything.”

“I would never.”

I know she wouldn’t, but I’m covering my bases here. “He said ‘when’ last night.”

Confusion mars her pretty features. “When, what? I’m lost.”

J steals my attention. He’s incredibly sexy, and it’s hard not to stare, but I quickly turn my attention back to her. “He said he couldn’t return my words, but when he did, it would be when he could give them to me with an open heart. Not if, not someday, but when. He said when, Sasha.”

Her eyes narrow at him, but then her features soften when she notices he’s once again looking this way. “Maybe it’s different with you. Deep down inside, Jordan is a family man. He runs this bar like it’s a family, he drops everything for his family, and there is no one he loves more than his family. But be careful, Allie. My original warnings still stand. He can be an asshole, and he’s allergic to feelings.” She shakes her head. “I honestly never thought the two of you would hit it off like this.”

“Does it bother you, Sasha?” Making Sasha upset is the last thing I want.

“Nope. If my two favorite people are happy, I’m happy.”

“Good,” I reply, unable to keep the smile off my face.

Before walking out, she pauses and turns back around. “And you’re sure, Allie? I know you said it before, but you’ve also had a lot going on in your life.”

“Am I sure I love him?”

She nods and raises a brow. “It’s kind of a big step, don’t you think? I thought you’d at least test out a few different makes and models before settling down again.”

Only Sasha.

I suppress my laugh so she understands how serious I am. “I do, Sasha. I’m not sure I knew what love was until now. Jordan just … He makes my life better, and he makes me want to be a better person.”

“Psht, you’re already the best person I know, Al. You’ve already got angel wings, but don’t try too hard for your halo just yet, okay?”

“Nah, it would just mess up my hair.”

She laughs as she walks back down to the bar. I wish Sasha would open herself up to love. There is so much more to her than meets the eye. I think Sawyer sees it and that’s why they do well as fuck buddies. Jordan said Sawyer sticks to groupies because they’re guaranteed one-night stands, and he has a firm no-repeat policy except when it comes to Sasha. Too bad Sawyer is stuck on someone else, but at least Sasha is aware of that too.

As I make my way down to the bar, Jordan flashes me a sinfully sexy grin. He even leans across the bar and kisses me in front of everyone. Granted, the bar isn’t open yet, but there are other employees all around us.

“What was that for?”

He licks his bottom lip, and I squeeze my thighs together. Sometimes I hate how much he turns me on. “What I can’t kiss my girl?”

“I … your … I mean … uh, sure?” My cheeks are flaming hot as he leans in close.

“We need to talk later. I was exhausted last night, but I want you to know I heard you loud and clear, Allie.” Jordan smiles from ear to ear. Considering all he’s been through lately, the sight of it makes my heart soar.

“Okay, we’ll talk.”

“There is something you should know. Sasha is closing for me tonight, and Tyler is meeting me at the house. I have things to talk to him about as well. Will you come over after work?”

I’m glad he’s finally going to talk to Tyler, but my heart deflates a bit at the news. I wish I could be the better person and step away from this and wish them well. At this point, I’m in too deep and will always feel like the other woman even if J swears it’s not true.

“Are you sure? It will be late since I’m closing.”

“I’m positive.”

“Then I’ll be there.”

He rakes his gray eyes over my body in a way that should be illegal. “I’m looking forward to it, Allie.”

Before Jordan’s shift is over, we’re slammed with a combined bachelor and bachelorette party. The men are keeping all the waitresses on their toes, but it’s nothing compared to the women hanging around the bar ogling Jordan, Chris, and Paul. Jordan called in two extra waitresses for the night as well.

Thirty minutes after J should have left, I decide to check in on him. He shouldn’t keep Tyler waiting.

“Jordan, why don’t you leave? Things are easing up on the floor now that we have extra help. I can tend bar with Sasha and the guys for the rest of the night.”

“Noooo, you can’t leave. You’re supposed to go home with us!” one of the drunk girls at the bar wails, and my eyes widen.

Jordan leans in close and whispers in my ear, “You sure you want to take this on?”

“Not really, but I am sure you shouldn’t keep Tyler waiting. He’s been concerned about you, J. You need to let him know you’re all right. Let him see you with his own eyes.”

The obnoxious drunk girl doesn’t seem to like our private discussion. “You two shouldn’t be whispering in front of the customers. It’s bad business. Bad for business? Well, you know what I mean. Does your boss know you’re having affairs during business hours?”

Jordan snickers before reaching for my hand and pulling it to his lips. The drunk girl’s friends laugh, and one of them speaks up. “Valerie, I don’t think he’s going home with you tonight, girl.”

Valerie isn’t a nice drunk. “I want to talk to your boss right now!”

Now her friends are trying to calm her down, and they all seem really embarrassed. A sweet little redhead with them apologizes. “I’m so sorry. Valerie doesn’t usually drink like this, but we made her promise to let loose.”

Jordan steps closer to them but continues holding my hand. “You guys can stay and enjoy your night, but for the record, this is my bar. My manager Sasha is running the bar on the other side tonight, so if Allie here feels like you’re getting out of control, she will ask you to leave. Once. If you don’t, she’ll call the cops.”

“We’ll be angels, we promise.” The redhead crosses her heart.

We step back away from the bar, and Jordan seems hesitant to leave.

“Go. Tyler is going to be worried, and I can more than handle some bachelorette party.”

“Okay, but if you need me, call.”

“Sure thing.”

“Allie, promise me.”

I squeeze his hand. “I promise, but you’re going to need to trust me one day. I shouldn’t have to keep making promises to you.”

He leans down and kisses the top of my head. “I’ll see you later. Don’t be late.”

“Awww, I want what they have,” Valerie cries into her whiskey.

Jordan leaves and they watch him go before turning their attention to me. As I refill their drinks, one of the girls asks, “How long have you two been together? You guys are the cutest.”

“We’re not together. We’re just … dating, I guess?”

The redhead speaks up. “Hm, you could have fooled us. That man looks at you like you’re the prettiest sunset he’s ever seen.”

“That’s sweet of you to say.”

“Just call it like I see it. What about that guy?” She points to Paul. “Is he single?”

Laughing, I shrug. “Not sure, but how about I switch places with him and you can find out?”

Her eyes sparkle as she nods emphatically. “Yes, please.”

The rest of the night flies by. After a party bus picks up all the drunk partygoers, Sasha sighs with relief as she closes the doors and locks up behind them.

“Tell me that wasn’t the longest night ever!” she exclaims.

“It was pretty intense, but we have two extra people to help close, so we’ll get out of here that much quicker.”

“Hell yeah! Let’s get to it!”