Your Exception by Bria Starr

She’s wanted him for as long as I’ve known him, and has asked him out on numerous occasions. Even though he always politely declines her, she doesn’t give up easily.
    “I told you it was a good idea to get here early,” Zach says, gesturing to our table with a perfect view.
    “Yeah, yeah. You were right, Zachary,” I say, rolling my eyes.
    “How about some shots to get this night rolling?” Cassidy asks as she tries to wave down a waitress.
    Eric appears at our table and greets us, falling into conversation with Cassidy. Aaron is a few steps behind as he walks to the side of my chair. “Long time no see,” he says to me. He remembers! I smile and look over at Zach who is staring at Aaron, expressionless.
    “Zach! What’s up buddy?” He fist bumps Zach.
    “Not much, man. Heard you guys were playing tonight and thought I’d come see you with my friends,” he says as he lightly shoulders me.
    “You guys know each other?” I ask.
    “Like I said, babe, everyone knows everyone in the music industry,” Zach replies.
    “So…how do you two know each other?” Aaron asks curiously.
    “We work together,” I respond.
    “Oh, I see. Hey, you ever going to give me your number? You still haven’t called me, either,” Aaron says, giving me a crooked smile.
    “Maybe after the show. You’d better rock my socks off.” Rock my socks off?
    He raises his eyebrows suggestively. “Maybe I will. And maybe more… I’ll check back. Come on, Eric. We gotta get started.” He looks back to me. “See you soon.”
    “Rock my socks off, Wren?” Zach quirks.
    “Shut up, Zachary. I couldn’t think of anything clever. That’s all I had,” I retort.
    “I think you could have come up with something better than that. Anything would have been better than that.”
    “Shh, they’re about to start,” I say, annoyed. I should have just let him keep talking so he could have been interrupted by the volume of the music.
    I’m thoroughly enjoying their first set when I spot Holly, in a tiny little dress, up in the front, dancing. She makes eye contact and starts making her way over. Oh no!
    “Hello everyone. How is your evening?” Holly asks, eying up Zach.
    I choose to ignore her. I don’t like her, and I don’t trust her.
    “Hi Holly. We’re doing just fine, thank you,” Cassidy says with a big fake smile.
    I give Cassidy a dirty look. I know she hates Holly for my sake, and for the fact that she used to date Jack, but she also has to be nice to her for “public relations” as she calls it. She claims she tips well.
    Holly pulls up a stray chair by Cassidy, putting her directly across from me. Yay me . I avoid all eye contact and conversation, including her repulsive bantering towards poor Zach, until she brings him up. “Yeah, sorry you two didn’t work out, Wren.” I glare at her. “Have you heard from him lately?” Holly asks me.
    “No,” I say through gritted teeth.
    “Oh nevermind, there he is. He was supposed to meet me here, like, a half hour ago. Men!” she exclaims and takes off. I’m frozen in place. I don’t look behind me. I look past Zach to Cassidy. My heart is pounding. Panic and fear showing in my eyes. Both look back at me with sympathy.
    “I’m so sorry. Jack said they had a show!” Cassidy quickly explains.
    What should I do? Run?
    Too late. Holly comes back around to our table, pulling Logan behind her, holding onto his hand. I cringe at the sight. And after one long month, we are face to face once again. He tears his blue eyes away from mine and shakes Zach’s hand, then gives Cassidy a little wave. He nods towards me, softness touching his face. “Wren.”
    “Logan,” I say, giving him a small smile. Everything we have been through is fresh in my memory, shooting a searing pain through my chest. Add that on top of seeing him here with none other than Holly, and it’s practically unbearable.
    Holly scoots closer to him as he puts his arm around the chair she’s sitting in.