Chapter 154
**Sara**
Jessica and I strolled down the street, the sun setting behind us and casting long shadows on the pavement. Our footsteps synced up, an unspoken rhythm as we walked toward our favorite café.
"Spill it," Jessica nudged me with her elbow, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Spill what?" I played innocent, focusing on a cracked sidewalk tile.
"You know what. How are things with the professor?"
"Nothing to talk about."
Jessica's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, come on. Is the good professor not fucking you well? Is that why you're so tight-lipped?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Jesus, Jess! Keep your voice down." I glanced around, making sure no one overheard. "And for your information, we're having a great time. That's all."
"Uh-huh." Jessica's tone dripped with sarcasm. "A great time. That's why you're blushing like a schoolgirl."
I shoved her playfully. "Shut up."
She grinned, undeterred. "Admit it, Sara. You're secretly in love with him, aren't you?"
"No," I said a little too quickly. "It's just casual. Fun."
Jessica opened her mouth, no doubt ready to fire off another embarrassing question when I spotted two familiar faces heading our way.
"Oh, thank god," I muttered under my breath.
"What?" Jessica followed my gaze. "Oh, hey! It's Mia and Jake!"
I breathed a sigh of relief as our friends approached, grateful for the distraction from Jessica's relentless teasing.
"Hey, you two!" Jessica waved enthusiastically. "Heading to the café?"
Jake shook his head. "Nah, we're actually on our way to my place. Gonna have a few drinks. You guys wanna join?"
I perked up at the invitation, ready for any excuse to dodge Jessica's interrogation about Tom.
"Ooh, drinks at Jake's?" Jessica's eyes lit up. "What's the occasion? Wait, don't tell me..." She gasped dramatically, pointing at Mia. "Are you pregnant?"
Mia's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in shock. "Jesus, Jess! I'm not that fast. Besides, who's there to get me pregnant?"
I snickered at Mia's indignant look. Leave it to Jessica to jump to the most outrageous conclusion possible.
Jessica, ever the matchmaker, didn't miss a beat. "Oh, honey, I can find someone if that's what you're after. I know this guy-"
"No need," Mia cut her off. "We're just having drinks. Casually. You two can join if you want."
I nodded eagerly. "Count me in. I could use a drink."
"Or five," Jessica added with a wink.
I rolled my eyes at Jessica's comment but couldn't help grinning. "Let's not get carried away. I've got class tomorrow, remember?"
"Boring," Jessica sang, linking her arm through mine as we followed Jake and Mia down the street.
Jessica's enthusiasm was infectious, even if it sometimes bordered on ridiculous. As we walked, the setting sun cast long shadows across the pavement, and a cool breeze rustled through the trees lining the street.
"So, Jake," Jessica piped up, her voice dripping with mischief, "your roommates won't mind us crashing your little party?"
"No, they're cool. Besides, they're not even home yet. Probably won't be back 'til late."
"Ooh, an empty apartment," Jessica wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Anything could happen."
I nudged her with my elbow. "Down, girl. We're just having drinks, remember?"
Jessica pouted. "Fine, fine. But don't blame me if things get interesting."
We followed Jake to his cozy third-floor walk-up apartment. As he fumbled with his keys, I caught a whiff of his cologne—something woodsy and warm. It reminded me of Tom, and I felt a little pang in my chest.
"Home sweet home," Jake announced, swinging the door open. "Make yourselves comfortable."
The apartment was surprisingly tidy for a place shared by college guys. A few textbooks were scattered on the coffee table, and a half-empty pizza box sat on the kitchen counter, but otherwise, it was clean.
"Nice place," I commented, settling onto the couch.
Jake grinned. "Thanks. We try to keep it decent. You know, in case we ever have company."
"Or in case your moms come to visit," Mia teased, plopping down next to me.
"That too," Jake laughed. He headed to the kitchen, the sound of clinking bottles following shortly after.
I sank deeper into the couch, feeling the tension in my shoulders start to ease. It had been a while since I'd just hung out with friends like this, no agenda, no pressure. Just drinks and good company.
Jake returned, arms laden with an assortment of bottles. "Alright, folks. We've got vodka, rum, tequila, and some weird green stuff my roommate swears by. What's your poison?"
"Ooh, let me at that green stuff," Jessica said, making grabby hands.
I wrinkled my nose. "I'll stick with vodka, thanks."
Mia opted for rum while Jake poured himself a generous helping of tequila. As he mixed our drinks, he cleared his throat.
"So, uh, I've got some news," he announced, sounding proud. "I'm starting a new gig next week."
"Oh?" I sipped my drink, pleasantly surprised by Jake's mixology skills. "What kind of gig?"
Jake grinned, passing out the rest of the drinks. "I'm gonna be a bartender. Part-time, you know, to make some extra cash."
Jessica's eyes lit up. "A bartender? Oh, you're gonna get so much action."
I nearly choked on my drink while Mia burst out laughing.
Jake's cheeks flushed. "It's not about that. I just need the money, and it seemed like a fun job."
"Uh-huh," Jessica winked, clearly unconvinced. "Well, when you inevitably start hooking up with hot customers, remember your friends, yeah? Maybe throw a few free drinks our way?"
I rolled my eyes. "Jess, let the man breathe. He hasn't even started yet."
Jake smiled, looking grateful for the intervention. "Thanks, Sara. But speaking of jobs, are any of you working part-time?"
We all shook our heads.
"I've been thinking about it," Mia said, swirling her rum thoughtfully. "But I can't decide what I want to do. Everything either sounds boring or like too much work."
"You could always join me at the bar," Jake suggested with a grin.
Mia snorted. "Yeah, right. I'd probably spill drinks all over myself."
"That might help with tips," Jessica said, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
Mia's face scrunched up in disgust. "Ew, gross. No way I'm working in a bar if that's what it takes."
"Oh, come on," Jessica teased. "You'd make a killing."
I decided to intervene before things got too out of hand. "Alright, let's not pressure Mia into a career of spilling drinks on herself for cash."
Jake nodded in agreement. "Yeah, bartending isn't for everyone. But hey, Mia, if you're still looking for work, I can ask around. Some of my friends might know of openings somewhere."
Mia's face lit up. "Really? That'd be great, Jake. Thanks!"
"No problem," Jake smiled, sipping his drink. "I'll let you know if I hear anything."
I couldn't help but notice how Mia's eyes lingered on Jake's smile. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who caught it.
Jessica leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So... are you two dating or what?"
Mia nearly choked on her drink. "What? No! Why would you think that?"
Jake's ears turned red as he stared intently at his glass.
"Oh, I don't know," Jessica drawled. "Maybe because you two are always together? And the way you look at each other? Come on, spill the tea!"
I watched as Mia's cheeks flushed pink. "Jessica, why do you always have to think like that? We're not dating. We're just friends."
"Uh-huh," Jessica said, clearly unconvinced. "Well, if you're not dating, you should be. You two would make an adorable couple."
Jake cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um, thanks? I think?"
I decided to throw them a lifeline. "Hey, weren't we supposed to be celebrating Jake's new job? How about a toast?"
Everyone seemed relieved for the change of subject. We raised our glasses, clinking them together.
"To Jake," I said. "May your drinks be strong and your tips be plentiful."
"And may the hot customers keep their hands to themselves," Jessica added with a wink.
We all laughed, the tension from moments ago dissipating. As the night wore on, the conversation flowed as freely as the drinks. Jake regaled us with stories of his bartending training and impressions of his gruff instructor.
"And then he was like," Jake's voice dropped to a comically low growl, "'If you can't pour a perfect shot blindfolded, you might as well pack up and go home now!'"
We were in stitches, tears streaming down our faces as Jake mimed, trying to pour shots with his eyes closed.
I caught Mia watching Jake with a soft smile. Maybe Jessica wasn't so off-base after all. But I knew better than to push it. Some things just needed time to develop on their own.
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