Behind the Scenes

S: Dating

One Month Ago

Sara Winters

I've been in a bad mood as of late. I have a serious history of depression and it was sinking in. I tried to refrain from allowing it to suck me in and keep me there, but it was hard work and it wasn't always easy. When Lizzy asked me to go out for a night, I welcomed the distraction. I haven't dressed up for a while and it felt good to get back into it.

When she arrived to pick me up, I was ready and waiting in the lobby.

"Hey," she smiled when I got into the passenger seat. "We're going to pick up Kimmy before we head there. She's been in a mood lately."

"Yeah, I know the feeling."

"Everything alright?" She glanced over at me worryingly and I smiled with all the energy I had. She's been going through this rollercoaster thing with Jake but she won't give any details. We had that in common, we bottled things up a lot.

"Yeah." I nodded. She accepted my answer and turned her focus back to the road ahead.

I pulled out my phone and messaged Adam since I probably couldn't call tonight. I waited for him to message back but forgot when Kimberly got in the car with attitude. Her perfume was strong and expensive. It filled the whole car within seconds. I rolled down the window to allow the air to flush the scent out.

"Why are we going out?" She mumbled when she got into the car. She was already in the car so I don't know why she was fighting it. It was true that when Lizzy asked for something, it was hard to say no to.

"It'll be fun." Lizzy promised as she started up the engine.

We arrived at the club and got in despite the horrible lineup. Kimberly knew the bouncer or the guy holding the clip board, I wasn't too sure. He winked as we walked by him, tapping me on the ass. I almost broke his hand until Kim pushed me forward.

"Seriously y'all, why did we have to come here?" Kim groaned when we got to a booth.

"You can't keep avoiding him Kimberly." Elizabeth mumbled.

My phone vibrated.

Adam: Hi Ms. Winters

Me: Hi Adam. How was today?

Adam: It was great. We finally closed the law firm!!

Me: that's great news! Is Jason celebrating right now?

Of course he would. This was what he's been working for for months now. If he was happy, I would find it in myself to be happy.

Adam: I would say so considering he's on a date.

Me: a date? with who?

Adam: Idk Ms. Winters

My heart beat accelerated. I stared at the phone in my hand, not wanting to press poor Adam for information he probably didn't have.

"Yes, I could." Kim muttered angrily.

"Here he comes. Behave and smile." Beth ordered Kim.

"There you are." Alex smiled at Kimberly before looking over at us. "I haven't seen you in a while." He was unbelievably sexy. He had smooth light brown skin and his dark eyes held you in your spot. I wondered if I would ever find someone like this considering Jace was already dating other people. This wasn't that bad considering I started dating other people weeks ago.

"I never knew we were friends." Kim chastised the poor man. I felt Beth's feet under the table as she kicked her.

"We slept together twice. I thought that was a given." He joked, placing an envelope on the table. "Thanks for the loan. I really appreciated it." We all stared down at the envelope full of money. Damn. He was honest. Would it be wrong if I asked him out for myself?

When he placed the bottle of Tequila beside the envelope, Kimberly's face lit up as she smiled up at him. She was a sucker for free liquor, as was I.

"There she is." he commented on her smile. "On the house." He promised. He turned to walk away but Kim stopped him.

"Have a shot."

"I never knew we were friends." he retorted over his shoulder, returning to the bar. Kim leaned back into the chair as we watched him continue to work the bar.

I wasted no time by opening the bottle and mixing the liquid with my glass of Champaign. "I need to get drunk."

"Why don't you just go back to him." Kim rolled her eyes.

"Why don't you just f**k the sexy bartender?" Before I do. I didn't say that but I wanted to and prayed that she gave permission. I took the glass and drained it without batting an eye.

I poured another shot for myself and then swallowed it.

"If you don't mind, I would like to have some before you finish it." Kim commented.

I narrowed my eyes at her as Beth snapped her fingers. "Stop. Everyone has his or her own s**t all right? It doesn't mean we go around fighting each other."

"What's up with you two anyways?" I asked.

She sighed. "Just marriage issues. We're trying to work things out, but if not we will still remain civil."

"If not?" Kim muttered.

"What are you talking about?" I snapped. Zach came to mind and my heart contracted. My poor baby. They had to stay together. I gave away my happiness for this.

"I don't want to talk about it. I should head home." Beth stood up and straightened herself. "Sara let's go."

I sighed and hesitantly stood up. "Are you coming?" I asked Kim.

"I think I'll take a cab." She muttered.

As we walked to the parking lot, all I could think about was Jace and the girl he was out on a date with. I got into the car and tried to calm my nerves. This couldn't possibly be serious. Maybe it was some type of distraction. I mean we were together for seven years and we didn't have children and I have no ring. She was probably going to have to beg him for any of those, God knows I sure did. I sighed and tired to relax. Nothing could possibly come from Jace going out on one date with this person.