“Hi, can I please have a glass of white wine and the grilled chicken Caesar salad with the dressing on the side?”
She nods and returns my smile with a little one of her own.
“You bet. I’ll be right back with your wine.”
I tip my head back and close my eyes as I wait for my drink and go over what I still need to do before the service in two days' time. Things at the funeral home went pretty quick, made easier thanks to my daddy already having his final wishes on file with them. I didn’t even know that was a thing people could do. He even had everything pre-paid. All I have to do is bring them in a suit and then show up. Mr. Harvey, the director, called the Reverend in while I was there and we went over the details and passages to be read. He assured me that the church ladies would take care of the lunch afterwards.
I sip my wine after it’s dropped off and pull out the business card that Chase gave me, turning it over and over with my fingers. It’s going to be awkward as hell dealing with him for Daddy’s affairs. He’s going to want answers that I’m not prepared to give him. I push that aside for now. There’s more important things to think about. I’m officially homeless and have no idea what to do next. I can press pause on work for the moment as tax season is behind me and all my clients are remote. I was resistant at first when Jason tried to convince me to quit my job in accounts at his firm and take on remote clients but now it’s a blessing as I can work from anywhere.
“Is that Rain I smell?”
I look up and break into a smile as Danny Hetter strides toward me with a white plastic bag filled with take-out containers. He’s a wholesome-looking guy with a wide smile, sparkling brown eyes that match his mop of curly hair, and a deep tan from spending most of his life outdoors.
“Hetter! It’s so good to see you. I hear you played the biggest prank of your life and managed to trick my girl Mags into marrying you!”
He drops his bag on my table and slides into the booth across from me with a blush deepening his ruddy cheeks.
“Yup, I done did good. Now I just need to keep the trick going until she says I do and can’t back out.” He looks me over and shakes his head. “You look real good, Rain-bow. Mags told me about your daddy. I’m real sorry for your loss.”
I push back against the tears that burn the back of my eyes and nod. His eyes slide away from mine and then back.
“Got to say, I’m a little surprised to see you in here tonight, though.”
My eyebrows pop up at that and then I groan.
“Why? What’s wrong with this place? Please tell me it’s not the food. I haven’t eaten all day.”
He shakes his head with a chuckle but his eyes slide away again.
“Nah, the grub’s good here. Just didn’t think you’d jump straight into the hornet's nest right off the bat, is all.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Hett, what are you talking about?”
He studies me for a few seconds and then his eyes widen.
“Well, shit. You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?”
Hetter rubs at his mouth but I can see the grin he’s trying to suppress and it makes me nervous for some reason.
“This is Rex’s place. He owns this bar.”
As soon as he says it, I can feel it and I slowly turn my head and meet those fire-filled ocean eyes across the room. He’s standing behind the long wooden bar with his hands gripping the edge but all his attention is fixed firmly on me and it steals the air from my lungs.
Rex Kingston has always been full of fire and wildness even as a little boy. It was what drew me to him and made my heart race when I grew old enough to understand such things. I can’t help but take him in. His dark blond hair is long enough to reach his chin and brushes along the strong square jaw I used to love tracing. The denim shirt he’s wearing gapes open enough that I can see swirls of dark ink peeking out but it’s those beautiful lips set in a hard flat line that has my stomach tied in knots. I had those lips on mine hours before I ran away and judging by the look in his eyes right now, he hasn’t forgiven me and I doubt he ever will.
I tear my gaze away from his, reach out and snatch my wine and drain the glass in one long drink before setting it back on the table.
“I need to go. I can’t be here.”
I whisper but the waitress brings my dinner just as I say it. Thankfully, Hetter reads my distress and takes charge.
“Hey there, Starlight. Can you fetch a takeout container for Rain’s dinner? She’s gonna take it to go and put it on my tab, please.”
The pretty waitress makes a surprised noise but starts nodding.
“Sure, I can do that. But Rex already said her meal was on the house so…”
