Just One Kiss: A Black Alcove Novel (The Black Alcove Series Book 1) by Jami Wagner Page B

as we
lock the door and walk outside. The BA is directly across from our
apartment building. Beth, one of the other bartenders, lives in the
apartment below us. We usually cut through the park when we walk to
work, but not today. Heels and grass just don’t mix very well.
    The entire place is full of people when we
arrive. Most are here for Sara while others are regulars. Either
way, her eyes begin to fill with tears at all the people who have
come to see her off.
    “It’s about time you showed up,” Logan
hollers as he leaps up the steps to guide Sara to the bar. She
waves over her shoulder at me as they walk away.
    I recognize almost everyone here tonight,
but one person stands out. I focus on each step I take to be sure I
don’t fall in front of him. He approaches me too, staying calm and
collected with a smile on his face. I wish I had that much
confidence when it comes to me.
    “Hey, Kelsey,” He leans in to speak into my
ear over the music. “You look beautiful tonight.”
    I blush.
    “Thank you.” I’m obvious about letting my
eyes take in the sight of him. Ethan has on a pair of dark blue
jeans that fit him loosely, with a brown belt and a black
button-down shirt he has tucked in. He looks stunning and I can’t
hide the smile on my face.
    “Do you want to get a drink?” he asks.
    “Yes.”
    He places his hand at the small of my back,
leading me to the bar. My nerves are all over the place, and I
already know I’m going to need more than one drink to make it
through this night.
    “You look stunning tonight.”
    “Oh really, I’m shocked you noticed what
with all the avoiding you’ve been doing lately.”
    Ethan gazes at me from the corner of his eye
before waving at Lucas. “Can I get a Bud and Kelsey will have a…”
His left brow raises waiting for my response.
    “Reds, please,” I say because I haven’t lost
all my manners. Although he doesn’t really deserve any right now. I
planned to come here and grab his attention. I never said I was
going to be nice about it.
    Lucas chuckles as he hands us our beers.
    “Thanks,” I say, quickly stepping away,
fully prepared to leave Ethan wanting more.
    “I’m sorry, Kelsey.”
    I stop. “You seem to be saying that a lot
these days, Ethan, and you haven’t even been here that long.”
    “I know, I just … I have a
lot going on and I’m not sure how I want to deal with it.” He takes
a drink from his beer, pinning his eyes on me. “I know what
I want , but wants
and needs are two very different things.”
    My heart thumps louder.
He’s never actually done anything to hurt me. But the way he’s
acted isn’t a good sign. It’s not something I want to mess with.
The way he said wants and needs makes me think he’s hiding something. And although
I know I should stay away from him, a huge part of me wants to know
what it is he won’t tell me, and deep down, I know that’s the part
of me that’s going to win. It’s the part of me that’s willing to
chance getting hurt again for Ethan.
    Ethan
    From the moment she steps through the door,
Kelsey has my full attention. Her black dress is tight on her body,
showing off every last curve and I love every moment of it. She
looks beautiful and hot as hell, and there is no way I’m going to
let any other guy in the place get near her.
    I’ve been back and forth for what feels like
a zillion times. Screw it all to hell and be with Kelsey, or stay
away convincing myself it’s for the best? Right now, Kelsey is
definitely weighing my decision toward option one. I can’t even
look her in the eyes without my mind screaming, “Fuck it, just be
with her.” Then I think about how far into helping my father I am
and I freeze up. I have no idea what I should do.
    “Dude, Sara looks smoking hot tonight, don’t
you think?” Logan asks me. We’re leaning against the bar, resting
back on our elbows as we watch the crowd. More specifically, the
girls as they dance together on the dance floor,