Chapter 22. Play Partner

I walk downstairs to meet her, greeted by her smiling face.

“Hey Alena, how are you?” she asks, smiling.

“Great thanks. Fancy a drink?” I walk towards the bar. I can hardly say I feel a mess, and everything is getting on top of me. She follows me to the bar, sitting next to me. We speak for a few hours. I am not drinking so much as I have to drive home.

“Want to come back to mine?” I ask. She nods in response. Jackson had said if I bump into her not to be afraid of inviting her back. We leave together. In the car, on the way back home, it is quiet. We don’t speak much. Getting home feels unusual. I am not sure what to do anymore. I know I have Jackson’s permission, but can I really do this without him here and agreeing?

“Can I grab you a drink?” I walk to the kitchen, pulling out two glasses and a bottle.

“Sure.” She follows me and sits at the kitchen side. We sit and drink for a while, talking about the wedding and other things. She looks at me, h