Freeing Destiny (Fate #2) Read Free Page A

candy that definitely did the trick.
    I gulped back my nerves and said a silent prayer of thanks when the bartender interrupted us. “What can I get you?”
    Words. Courage. A normal heart rate. Were any of those on the drink menu? ’Cause I sure could’ve used a potent dose of all three.
    Visibly sensing how bowled over I was by what he said, Jack took charge in ordering. “A glass of Pinot for the lady, and I’ll have a . . . Stella .” His grin grew so wide it was comical. His joke should’ve made me laugh, but the innuendo got the best of me and made me squirm in my seat.
    Arching a brow, I gathered my unraveled nerves and stared into his baby blues. “Seriously? Of all the beers?”
    “Serious, my friend. Stella happens to be my favorite. It’s a classic, golden beauty that satisfies my thirst. And when it’s fresh, crisp taste tickles and caresses my tongue, I lap up every drop and don’t let any of it go to waste.”
    Gulp! Like, literally. Where was my Pinot? I needed that sucker. Now!
    “I’m sorry,” Jack finally relented through a gritty, growled chuckle. “I’m coming on way too strong and I must sound like such a dick. It’s just . . . you’ve had my attention all day, and when I saw you watching your mom and Caleb, you looked a little . . . sad, I guess. I didn’t like seeing you that way. I thought talking to you would make you laugh. Now I’ve gone and made you uncomfortable at your mother’s wedding.” He stared at his clasped hands, the ones that were no longer wrapped around my shoulders. I wanted them back there. I wanted him to touch me again. I wanted him to continue flirting and make me feel the things no other guy had ever made me feel before.
    “There’s nothing to be sorry about, Jack. I’m glad you’re here.” And I was. I welcomed the distance from Nina and Ryan and Mom and Caleb, enjoying my time with someone who made me smile.
    “So, why so sad?”
    Did I want to pour it all out to him? Something urged me to spill it, but another part of me didn’t want to reveal all my insecurities to someone I’d only known for a few hours. “This day is bittersweet, that’s all.”
    “That’s a strong word for a beautiful day, doll. I’m here to listen. That’s what bartenders do best, remember?”
    “But you’re not a bartender anymore.”
    “This much is true, but old habits die hard. Lay all your troubles on me, Stella. I promise not to judge.”
    The way he said it sounded so sincere. Would it kill me to open up to him? I’d probably never see him again after tonight. Soon I’d be a New Yorker. Unless Jack planned to fly out to see Caleb often, the chances of facing my new friend again were slim to none. Confessing to a stranger seemed an easy enough thing to get away with. “I miss my dad. The anniversary of his death is this week and I get all mushy and moody around this time. Add all this hoopla into the mix, and . . . I’m kind of a wreck and just trying to hold it together. I’m so happy for my mom and Caleb. He’s a great guy, he’s good for her, but—”
    “But he’s not your dad.”
    “No, he’s definitely not my dad.” I shook my head, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to gush. “Oh, man! I don’t want to be that girl. I hate when people cry at weddings other than out of joy for the newlyweds.” I so didn’t want to be that girl; the jealous girl. Or the girl who turned on the faucet of confessions to a handsome man I just met.
    Placing a hand on mine, Jack reassured me, “Stella, I can only imagine what you’ve been through.”
    “I’m sure Caleb’s told you plenty ,” I exaggerated. My stepfather wasn’t your run of the mill ‘nice guy.’ He was a saint for putting up with all the crazy that unfolded when he walked into my mother’s life. For that I was truly grateful and had become close with him, but Jack was his best friend, and if Caleb had any qualms about our family, he’d probably gone and voiced them to him.
    Jack