Chapter 2

I got dressed in a white off-the-shoulder dress and we headed to the restaurant.  I really wasn't looking forward to this evening.  A bunch of stuck-up lawyers and their obnoxious wives.

"Sorry I was rushing you.  I just want to make a good impression.  You know how important this is right sweetie?" Grant asked as we entered the restaurant.

"I know it's ok.  I can handle this, lets just get it over with ok?" I pled with him.

He smiles kissing my forehead and leads me to the table.  It seems like hours have passed, listening to the men talk business, and the wives gossip about people in their neighborhoods.  I look at my phone to see it's only been forty-five minutes.  I sit listening to this bullshit nodding and smiling.  They don't really care if I'm here or not.  Grant doesn't even include me in his conversations.  Finally, this ridiculous dinner is over and Grant leads me to his car.

"Did you have a good time?" He asked after we get in the car.

"Your kidding right?" I ask him rolling my eyes.  "That was like torture."

He laughs.  "I'm sorry I know it's boring for you.  I promise this weekend we'll have fun just the two of us ok?"

"That's what you said last weekend Grant." I huff.

"I know.  Look it's important for me to be apart of these dinners if I want to be a partner.  That's what we both want right?" He asks taking my hand and holding it.

"Yes I know it's your dream to be a partner in a law firm Grant and I want you to do what makes you happy," I reply.  I do want him to be happy but I don't want to be apart of these stupid dinners for the rest of our lives either.

He drives me back home and stops the car.  "I'll text you tomorrow ok?" He says turning to me.

"What? You're not coming in? It's only eight-thirty." I looked at him in dismay.

"I've got an early morning sweetie I need to get home and rest." He smiles at me.

"Ok, I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow." I open my door and climb out.

"Goodnight Addison I love you," Grant tells me goodnight and then drives off.  Well so much for a romantic evening.  I thought as I headed up to the apartment.

I got to the apartment and found Darby in the living room drinking a beer and putting on her heels.

"Hey Addi! You are just in time!" She grins at me.

"For what Dar?" I ask as I put my purse down and took off my shoes.

"To go out!! Come with me tonight we'll have fun!" She smiles finishing her beer.

"To go where? I have to work tomorrow you know." I tell her shaking my head.

"It's thirsty Thursday! Which means free drinks until ten!! Come on Addi go with me!! You'll be back in time to rest for work I promise." She says getting her purse.

"Ok, I guess after the day I've had I need a little fun.  Do I need to change?"

"No, you look hot! Now get your shoes back on."  She grins.  "You haven't been out with me in forever! You must have really had a sucky day."

"Yeah, I did I ran into some cocky jerk at lunch, and then I had to sit through another one of Grant's business dinners,"  I whine and she laughs.

"I know you think Grant is perfect Addi but I don't see it.  He knows you hate those dinners so why does he make you go?  You need to put your foot down."

"Yeah I guess but it's important for his career and if he goes alone they will think we aren't getting along, which isn't true when we have time just the two of us. We get along great."

"But how often is that?  All he cares about is his job Addi, your just his trophy girlfriend." She states shaking her head.

"He loves me, Dar! You just don't get it.  Can we go now?" I ask heading toward the door.

When we arrive at the bar the music is so loud the walls are vibrating.  There are people everywhere you can barely walk.  Darby leads me to the bar and orders us some drink I've never heard of.  The bartender brings back a tall glass.  I taste it and it is so strong I almost choke.

"What the hell is this Dar?" I ask her.

"Just drink it I promise you'll thank me later." She winks.

"I'll thank you when I'm throwing up later? I don't think so." I stated shaking my head.

She laughs.  "It's not that bad I swear you'll be fine."  She downs her drink and leads me to a table.

I sip my drink looking around this is a really nice bar someone put a lot of work in. The walls were red with abstract art all over them.  The lights were low but not so low that you couldn't see.  "So what do you think?" Darby asks me.

"It's a cool place." I say shrugging.

"Just opened last week and already one of the hottest bars in town." She grins.  "One of the best places to pick up hot guys too." I follow her gaze to see what she is staring at.  I see a tall blonde guy and I laugh.  It's hard to tell much about him from here but Darby is still interested.

I continue to sip my drink and Darby goes back to the bar for another one.  When she comes back the blonde guy is following behind her.  As he approaches the table I recognize him.

I lean over and whisper in Darby's ear.  "That's the jerk from lunch today Dar." She laughs and doesn't say anything.

"Hey, Darby.  Hope you are enjoying yourself this evening." He smiles at her and doesn't even acknowledge me.

"I am.  Thanks, Kade." Darby smiles up at him.

"Your welcome gotta check on my best customer." He winks at her.

She giggles and looks at me.  "Oh, Kade this is my best friend Addison.  Kade owns the bar Addi."

He looks at me and recognizes me.  He grins.  "I believe we have already met.  Nice to see you again Addison."  His husky voice gave me a chill. Ugh! Don't be affected by his charms! I shout at myself.

I rolled my eyes.  "I'm sure it is," I say turning away from him.  He laughs.

"She's a tough one Darby." He smirks.

"She isn't normally what did you say to her Kade?" Darby asks him smiling.

"Not much she let me pass her in line today at the deli.  Then when I thanked her she snapped at me." He shrugs.

"Oh bullshit you were a jerk and you know it!" I bitched at him.

"Addison! Be nice." Darby yells at me.

"That was nice Dar.  I could say a lot worse." I smile sweetly at her and she laughs.

"I wasn't being a jerk just telling the truth babe.  I know what lust in a woman's eyes looks like and you clearly liked what you saw.  Now if you'll excuse me ladies I have work to do."  He grinned at me and walked away.

"Oh my god Addi! You think he is hot! That's why he said that it's obvious! Do you even know who he is?"

"No, and I don't care." I finish my drink.

"He's Kade Jacobs as in the famous Jacobs family! The ones the tabloids write about all the time, his father is Tyler Jacobs one of the richest men in the world." She shakes her head. "I can't believe you don't know who he is.  He is one of the most eligible bachelors, women line up to flirt with him and you called him a jerk to his face!"

"I don't care who he is Dar.  He thinks he is God's gift to women."

"Well, he kinda is Addi.  I mean damn any girl would be lucky to have him! He is gorgeous and rich." She grins.

"There is more to men than looks and money Dar! Now go get me another one of these drinks.  His highest has interrupted my buzz."  She laughs and goes to the bar for me.

While she is gone I look around and see Kade standing at a table talking to a group of girls.  They are all smiling at him and listening to everything he says like he is the pope or something.  He looks over at me and grins.  I roll my eyes and turn my head.

Darby comes back from the bar carrying our drinks and a piece of paper.

"What's that?" I asked her pointing to the paper.

"The hot bartender gave me his number." She smiles.

We continue to drink and talk.  It's been a while since I've got to really talk to Darby we've both been so busy.  An hour later I stand up to pee and I stumble.

Darby laughs.  "You are drunk Addi.  Sit down."

"But I have to pee Dar," I whine at her, and she giggles.

"Ok, I'll help you.  Hold on to me." She states getting up.

She helps me to the bathroom and on our way out Kade is standing there.

"Are you ok Darby does your friend need some help?" Kade smirks.