“Wait. I’m sorry. That was completely uncalled for.” She glanced away and took a deep breath. “I just don’t know how to turn it off.”

Reagan pulled away from her hold and crossed her arms. “Turn what off?”

“Being me,” she replied with a self-deprecating laugh.

Reagan dropped her arms to her sides. “Well, at least you recognized it this time and apologized. I’d say that’s a step up from our other encounters.”

“I really am sorry, Ms. M…um, Reagan. I wish I could blame it on my bad mood, but it’s just who I am. Sad as that is.” She looked away and turned her glass on the bar. She cleared her throat and asked, “Is your dad okay?”

Reagan stared for a beat, wondering if Jillian was just being polite or if she was really interested in the answer. Her scowl had faded and her eyes had softened, leaving a hesitant curiosity in its wake. Reagan didn’t know what Gwen had told her, and she also didn’t want to get into any details at the moment so she said, “Yeah, he’s okay. Thanks for asking.”

Jillian nodded and took a sip of her drink. “Sure.”

The bartender placed Reagan’s drink order on the bar, and Reagan reached for them but stopped herself from picking them up. Instead, she studied Jillian for a moment. She was staring at a TV above the bar but she didn’t seem to be paying attention to what was on the screen. Her slightly slouched posture made her seem sad, and Reagan was curious as what had made her that way. “Why are you in a bad mood?”

“My friend, Samantha, made me come out tonight.”

Reagan looked around in the immediate vicinity, but they were surrounded by a couple different groups of guys. “Where is she?”

Jill nodded over her shoulder toward the end of the bar. “She’s down there chatting up the short-haired woman.”

Reagan looked behind Jill and immediately saw the couple. With all the closeness and the touching, they seemed to be one minute away from making out. “Ah. She ditched you, huh?”

Jill snorted. “Oh, yeah. Somewhat typical of her.”

Rubbing the back of her neck, Reagan glanced at her table before returning her gaze to Jill. “Well, I’m here with Gwen and our other friend, Carly. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

“No, that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to impose. I’m just going to finish my drink and head out.”

Reagan schooled her features, hoping her disappointment didn’t show. It was probably for the best. She and Gwen typically didn’t socialize with clients. “If you change your mind, we’ll be over there,” she said as she reached for the drinks and nodded to her table across the room. “Enjoy your night, Jillian.”

“Wait. Reagan?” Jillian said, lightly brushing her fingers against Reagan’s elbow.