“Look, Bennett, you need to keep it to—” I falter. “Wait, how do you know where Poppy is tonight?”
My best friend shrugs, his face blank. He gazes at me for a few beats, and I can practically see the cogs in his head turning. “I talk to her now and then. She’s your sister, so we’re practically family, right?”
A sceptical hum escapes my mouth.
“My lips are sealed, Nathan. No need to panic.” He pretends to lock up his lips and throws the imaginary key behind his shoulder as I hike my eyebrows up to my hairline.
“Okay, thanks. I need to go.”
My friend rests his hand across his heart, allowing his eyes to turn doe-like as he fake pouts. “You’re such a knight in shining armour, Nathan. Go and save the girl and kick Riley Donovan’s butt. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
I roll my eyes as I slip out the door.
The bar stinks of cigarette smoke and liquor, and I crinkle up my nose in dislike, but I immediately forget about it when my eyes land on a hard-working Mae. Her hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, the front layers hanging by the side of her flushed face.
She’s wearing an apron that accentuates her waist, her perfect ass causing my dick to stiffen in my pants.
But I’m not here for that. I want to hear all about Riley’s provoking.
“I’ll get ten Mai Tai’s.”
“We don’t sell—” Mae double-takes and laughs, wiping the top of the bar with a rag. “What are you doing here?”
“Didn’t recognise my voice, princess?” I tut. “We’ll have to work on that.”
She scowls at me.
“When does your shift end?”
Amber rounds the corner with a tray full of empty glasses. It seems she heard my question as she sneaks a glance at her watch and says, “We aren’t busy tonight, Mae. You can head home a few hours early if you want.”
Mae’s face drops, though. I understand she needs the money, so I reach into my pocket and take out some cash, pushing it into her palm. “There, that should cover more than your wage for the rest of your shift. Come on. We’ve got… an emergency team meeting.” My voice is hushed, but I accentuate the final part as Amber throws a glance our way.
“Nathan, I’m not taking your money. I’m staying.”
Amber disappears down into the basement, so I lean in close. “You can either walk out with me, or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you outside. I’m not above it, so which one would you prefer?”
“Try me.”
“Alright.” I click my tongue and move closer to the small wooden doors that separate the customers from the staff, causing Mae to hold up her hands to stop me.
“Okay, fine. Don’t get your panties in a twist. I’m coming.” Her eyes twinkle with slight amusement.
I know she’s secretly enjoying this.
With a small—fake—sigh, Mae follows my lead, grabbing her bag and saying goodbye to Amber and a few regulars before exiting the bar. “Right, what was so important that you had to pull me away from work?” She’s still holding my money, and even though she tries to hand it back to me, I stuff it into her bag and open my car door for her.
“You looked like you needed a break.” I start the car and head towards the animal shelter, where Mae feels most comfortable. “That, and I wanted to make sure Riley wasn’t in there bothering you.”
Mae’s teeth click shut. “You heard about that.”
“I did.”
“You can’t be annoyed that I didn’t tell you, Nathan.”
I shake my head, glancing at her. “Why do you immediately assume I’m mad at you, princess? I’m not.” I know why—her mother has always made her feel like she’s to blame for everything.
Mae scrubs a hand down her face. “Sorry.”
