A Night Out on the Town

The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air as we sat at the small table in the corner of the bar, Tommy's request for a night out finally fulfilled. Esme, Joel, and I had decided to put our differences aside and enjoy each other's company, at least for a few hours. As we sipped our drinks, Esme turned to us with a smile. "I'll get the next round," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She walked over to the bar, her hips swaying slightly as she moved, and I couldn't help but notice the way the bartender's eyes lit up as she approached. "What can I get you, beautiful?" he asked, his voice dripping with flirtation. Esme laughed and ordered our drinks, and I could see Joel's eyes narrowing as he watched the exchange. Tommy, sitting beside him, noticed his reaction and chuckled. "Hey, calm down, Joel," he said, his voice low. "She can handle herself." But Joel wasn't having it. He watched Esme with an intensity that made me uncomfortable, his eyes flashing with irritation. I knew that look; it was the same one he'd had when he'd seen her with that guy at the club a few nights ago. Just as Esme was about to take her drinks and head back to our table, a guy walked up to her, his eyes scanning her body before landing on her face. "Hey, you look familiar," he said, his voice sloppy with drunkenness. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" Esme turned to him, her expression polite but uninterested. "I'm afraid not," she said, her voice firm but friendly. But the guy didn't take the hint. He kept talking, his eyes roving over her body, and Joel's reaction was immediate. His face darkened, his jaw clenched, and his fists tightened. I could see the jealousy radiating off him like heat, and I knew that this was going to end badly. Esme, oblivious to Joel's reaction, smiled politely at the guy and tried to extricate herself from the conversation. But he wouldn't let up, his eyes glued to her ass as he talked. Joel's eyes flashed with anger, and he stood up, his movements sudden and aggressive. "Joel, sit down," Tommy said, his voice low and urgent, but Joel was beyond reason. He strode over to the bar, his eyes locked on the guy, and I knew that this was going to be a fight.