Just One Night Read Free Page A

soft swell of her breasts visible above the
neckline of the body-hugging dress before meeting her gaze.   Her eyes were a gorgeous light hazel color
with flecks of chocolate brown and hints of gold.
    “Good, thanks.   I'm enjoying the challenge,” she replied,
looked away from him and glanced around uneasily.   “I really should mingle, you know.   I've already missed too much of the party
because I had that interview in New York.”
    Disappointment slammed into him, but he hid
it.   He was a fuckin' Marine for God's
sake and he wasn't going to let her see just how much he wanted that she spend
some time with him before he left.
    “Sure, Nickie .   I
guess I'll see you later,” he replied.
    She turned and started to walk away, but then
she stopped and faced him again.
    “I’m going to miss you, Jase ,”
she said and then rushed off.
    I'm going to miss you , too.   A lot , he thought.
    Feeling the need for something stronger to
wash away the sense of defeat that had filled him, he marched to the bar and
ordered a bourbon .   The bartender poured him the drink and he was about to step away when
Tommy sauntered up and clapped him on the back.
    “What's your poison, dude?” Tommy asked and
shot a quick look at his glass.
    “Bourbon,” he answered and his friend jerked
his chin in the bartender's direction.
    “Can you pour me one as well?   Thanks,” he said and the man quickly placed
the drink in front of him.
    Tommy snared the tumbler and clinked it against his.   “To the blue and white,” Tommy said, referring to their alma mater’s
colors.
    He smiled and raised his glass, “To the blue
and white.”   After a bracing sip, he
stayed beside his best friend, but his mind was on Nickie as she stood across the room, chatting with an older couple.   She shot a quick look his way, smiled
hesitantly, but then turned her attention back to the guests.
    “How long have we known each other, Jase ?” Tommy asked as he jammed one hand in his suit pocket
and took a sip of the drink in his other hand.
    He shrugged and said, “Since kindergarten
when we were on the same T-ball team.”
    “That’s a long time to be friends,” Tommy
said thoughtfully, but then plowed on.   “In all that time, I’ve never seen you be afraid of anything.   Well, maybe one thing.”
    He peered at his friend and searched out his
features, puzzled by his statement.   “Where are you going with this, Tommy?”
    His friend raised his index finger off the
glass he held.   “You’ve got one night, Jase .   One night before you head to North Carolina with your parents and
then ship out to that fuckin’ desert.”
    “It’s actually not a desert, Tommy,” he said,
trying to avoid the discussion he sensed was coming, but Tommy was apparently
not going to stop.
    “Dude, don’t be a fucktard .   Don’t you think it’s time you did something
about my sister?” he said.
    Jase nearly choked on
the bourbon he had been sipping and stared hard at his friend.   “You’re fucking crazy.”
    “No, I’m not.   But you are if you don’t do something about it.”
    “It” being Nickie .   “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”
    “I am, Jase .   I know you care for her.   I’ve known for a while. I also know you’ve
never let anything stop you before.   What’s stopping you now, bro?”
    Tommy’s gaze was so intense, that he had to
look away, not wanting his friend to see what he was really feeling.   He shook his head hesitantly.   “I’m the last thing she wants. We’re nothing
alike.   She’s so serious and a bookworm.
And I’m – ”
    “All action guy.   Not as wealthy as us.   Those are lame excuses, dude.   I guess you feel guilty because she’s my
sister, too.   But you know what, Jase ?   It’s time to
do something about what you feel for Nickie .   It’s time to go big or go home.   Just don't hurt her,” Tommy pleaded and
before Jason could say another word, his friend