Sara didn't expect Jamie didn't expect Jamie to have such a low tolerance. He was already drunk after just two beers."
But her main task for the evening was accomplished, so she nodded vigorously and helped him to the bar to settle the bill.
"I got it," Jamie said, pulled out some money to pay the bill. After paying, he turned to Sara. "I'm not that drunk. I just feel a little dizzy."
He extended a hand to her. Under the bright bar lights, his hand looked long and clean, with a faint flush in the palm, making it very attractive.
"Can you hold my hand and walk me out, my girlfriend?"
The semi-drunk man tilted his head slightly, his voice lacking its usual indifference, sounding almost like he was pouting, but upon closer listen, it left you wondering if you were reading too much into it.
Sara was momentarily stunned. The man in front of her looked five parts confused and five parts uncomfortable. His face was slightly flushed, his long lashes cast shadows under his eyes, making him look very vulnerable.
Against her better judgment, she took his hand.
The cool touch of his palm brought her back to reality. She was here to confess everything and break up with him, yet now they were holding hands. What was she thinking?
"Actually..."
But Jamie didn't give her a chance to pull away. He closed his fingers around hers, smiled, and said, "Thank you."
In his smile, Sara forgot what she was about to say and found herself holding his hand as they walked into the complex.
It wasn't until the elevator doors opened with a ding that Sara blinked, her mind clearing. She looked down at their interlocked fingers and bit her lip in frustration.
Looks can be deceiving! The thought of Jamie's potentially heartbroken face when she confessed made her hesitate. Maybe it would be better to just let things slide.
She looked up and saw they were alone in the elevator. Jamie's face was expressionless, but his eyes were a bit unfocused, occasionally squinting, looking drunk but trying to stay alert.
She must have been staring too long because he glanced at her, trying to stay awake, his voice already slurred. "Sorry, I'm really happy to see you today, so I drank a bit more..."
His dark eyes seemed full of emotion, as if the feelings he'd suppressed for so long were finally being released by the alcohol. It was intense and left her feeling guilty, knowing his deep affection was built on her deception.
Sara's heart raced, and she quickly looked away, stumbling over her words. "You don't need to apologize. I should be the one apologizing. I came here today to tell you that I..."
"Ding—"
The elevator arrived with a crisp sound. Jamie interrupted her. "We're here. Let's go."
Her courage deflated again. Sara let out a long sigh, lowered her head, and followed him out of the elevator and into his place.
Jamie loosened his tie, struggling to maintain his composure. "I'm going to wash my face. Can you wait here for a moment?"
Seeing how uncomfortable he looked, Sara quickly agreed.
Once he went to the bathroom, she slumped onto the sofa, rubbing her face vigorously. She kept telling herself she had to come clean. She couldn't keep dragging this out, or Jamie got in any deeper, it would be all her fault..
The bathroom door opened, and footsteps approached. Sara's resolve hardened.
As soon as Jamie appeared, she stood up, raising her voice as if to bolster her courage. "Jamie! I need to tell you something! I lied to you that day! I..."
She didn't get to finish. Jamie stumbled and instinctively grabbed her arm to steady himself.
After a dizzying spin, Jamie ended up sitting on the sofa with Sara on his lap.
Since neither of them was hurt, Jamie let out a sigh of relief and asked, "Lied? What did you lie to me about?"
