“You mean that night at the Black Bear where we brainstormed over a napkin? Yup, I think we’ve surpassed any of my expectations by a landslide. We finally have that grown-up version of the Black Bear we always wanted, minus competing for the girls with a bunch offratboys.”
“I’ve got my girl. I’m set for life. How about you? See anyone you like?” I pan the crowd along with him. The Pelican has had its fair share of loyal customers who happen to be female, and I know for a fact Brody can have his pick of thelitter.
“I see someone I’d like to get to know better.” His gaze is set intently on the dance floor, but Axel steps in and blocks my view of thismysterygirl.
“Ax”—I slap him over the shoulder—“your girl’s here tonight. You ready to makeyourmove?”
“Only if I want my balls skewered and served up forameal.”
Brody barks out a laugh. “We’re talking appetizers, right? Because you’ve got balls the size of marbles for not even saying hello to thechick.”
Axel grunts at the thought. “You don’t know her like I do. It’s notthateasy.”
“I know her about as much as I want to,” I offer. “And I happen to agree with you. She’d make a meal out of you and not in a good way.” I watch as Lex whoops it up with Low and can’t help but shake my head. “She’s been a good friend, though. I’m glad Low has her in her life.” I look to Ax. “So, what do you think? Is there a chance for the two of you? You’re both free agents. There’s nothing standing inyourway.”
“Except for the past.” His gaze grows heavy as he looks that way, and his smile drops from sight without any hope of coming back. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” He heads back to the kitchen without sayinganotherword.
“Hey,” I bark over to Brody. “Don’t bust his balls—tiny or otherwise. He’shurting.”
Brody stares off at the dance floor with a look of discontent. “I get it.” He slaps the back of his neck before picking up a rag and wiping down the bar. “I’d better get backtowork.”
Low bounces over with Lisa in tow, and I grimace without meaning to because I’m hoping I’m not about to get my own balls handed to me. “Looking good outthere.”
Low sneaks in a kiss to my cheek. “You’re not so badyourself.”
Lisa steps in, and that hardened façade she’s held up softens. “I think I owe you an apology. I’ve been a little too judgmental when I should have given you a chance. I just needed to trust my sister’s judgment instead of my own. It’s something I’m still learningtodo.”
“No need to apologize. In fact, I love how you look out for your family. Low told me how you stepped in when your mother passed. You’re a hero in my book. I’m glad you were looking out for Low. And I’m glad you’re looking out for Sadie andEverly,too.”
Lisa tosses her hands in the air. “Those two hellcats are putting gray hairs where gray hair shouldn’t be.” She pulls Low into a tight embrace. “But this one, she’s all yours now. My job is done. We’ll just have to go back to being bestfriends.”
“I think I’d like that.” Low gives her sister a quick peck before Lisa takes off for the dance flooragain.
Raven and Lex come up and take a seat at the bar, their faces piqued with color, and they’re laughing it up over something. I’m not sure if I should be pleased or alarmed that Raven is taking to Lexaswell.
“Don’t worry.” Raven winks our way. “We’re not friends by a long shot. We just so happen to have the same sense of humor when it comestomen.”
“And there’s that.” Low wraps an arm around me and runs her finger over my lips. “I happen to have a friendlier take on the male species. You inparticular.”
“And I’m forevergrateful.”
Brody taps me on the shoulder and nods to a small group headedthisway.
“Bryson!” I slap my buddy from the Black Bear five. “Holt.” I pull him into a partial embrace. “I’m so glad you could come out.” I went down to the Black Bear myself and gave the invite in person. I let them know we’re not looking for a war between businesses. We’re both in it to win it, and theyagreed.
“We wouldn’t miss it.” Holt steps back. “This is my wife, Izzy. Bryson’s wife, Baya. My sister, Annie, and her husband, Blake.He’sthe—”
“Star of the show,” I cut him off with a laugh as I shake everyone’s hand. Blake is the lead singer of the 12 Deadly Sins, the Black Bear’s house band that’s wildly popular with the kids at WhitneyBriggs.
Brody and Axel pop up, and I do a quick round of intros before Axel offers to get them atable.
“The food is on the house.” I slap Bryson over the shoulder, and he hangs back as the rest of his party takes off to beseated.
“It’s looking good,” he muses as he sweeps the place with a glance. “Is being your own boss everything you thought it was cracked uptobe?”
“It’s one glorious headache after the next, but I wouldn’t change athing.”
“That’s the right answer, man. So, where is she? I’m dying to meet the girl that shattered you and put you back together again.” I shared with Bryson and Holt the happy resolution to my story. As good as it felt to let it all out to begin with, it felt that good and better to let them know things worked out in the end the way I hoped theywould.
