“Ooh. The Jack buying drinks? You better not say that too loud or people will start thinking you’re a softie.”
“That’ll be the day.” Taryn laughed.
She linked her arm through Dani’s and they re-entered the bar area. They parted ways at the edge of the bar so Taryn could take up her position behind the bar and Dani could take one of the seats in front of it.
Dani angled her body so she could see the door, a bright smile on her face.
Taryn held back a sigh. Who knew it was possible to be so damn happy and sad at the same time?
Business was brisk and the steady work helped Taryn banish Ash from her thoughts. Dani sat at the bar and nursed her drink. Whenever there was a lull, she kept up a mostly one-sided conversation with Taryn and fielded compliments from regulars who’d never seen her so dressed up.
Dani looked so happy and alive that it was hard to believe that she’d been a beaten-down girl from the streets just a few years ago. If anyone deserved happiness, it was her.
Taryn hadn’t met Dani’s guy yet and she was really looking forward to it. She watched Dani watch the door.
The smile that broke over Dani’s face when she saw him practically lit up the room. His answering smile won him points, but Taryn still wanted to take his measure, maybe set a few ground rules. Starting with “I’ve got my eye on you” and ending with “Break Dani’s heart and they won’t find you. Ever. Not even the tiniest little piece of you.”
They both watched him cross the room.
“You look amazing,” Mason said, when he reached the bar.
Taryn watched Dani carefully as she stepped into his arms. Her friend’s smile never dimmed—she really was happy.
“This is Mason. My date.” Dani stepped back and smiled at Taryn. “Mason, this is the Jack.”
Taryn watched for a visible reaction, but there wasn’t one. She’d have to ask Dani what she’d told him.
Dani and Mason exchanged a look Taryn couldn’t read. Then he stood and held out his hand. His gaze was direct, which she liked. “Nice to meet you.”
His handshake was firm.
“You too.”
Pleasantries done, she glanced at Dani. “So this is the boyfriend?”
She blushed beet red. “Date,” Dani said. At the same time, Mason said, “Yes.”
Taryn smiled. She’d still keep an eye on Mason, but she liked that he kept Dani on her toes.
“So, you’re Dani’s date.” It wasn’t a question. He seemed to realize that.
“And you’re Dani’s boss.”
Touché.
“What do you do, Mason?” She pinned him with her gaze.
“I’m an analyst.” He named a software company headquartered in Seattle. Decent place, based on everything she’d heard. At least he was gainfully employed.
He turned to face Taryn head-on. “I’m also single. I have my own place. I’m ready to be in a relationship and I think Dani is great. Anything else you want to know?”
If she’d overhead this conversation while she was bartending, she’d have smiled. Maybe even applauded.
But this was Dani they were talking about. Taryn couldn’t afford to be amused.
“Since you did me the courtesy of being honest, I’ll do the same. If you hurt Dani, in any way, shape, or form, I will disappear you.”
“I’m right here, you guys,” Dani said.
