Of all the random career changes I’d considered since I’d come to Kelly Lakes, Larry’s ridiculous suggestion was the first one that had made me take a serious pause.
Whenever I considered job searching, thoughts of all those meetings and moments of being on the spot to prove myself flashed in my mind, and the only concrete decision I’d made since I’d lost my job was that I never wanted to do that again. I had burned out on corporate life long before I’d been pushed out of it, but what else was there for me to do? I didn’t know the first thing about owning and running a business.
But I had watched my father run his own business for my entire life. His restaurant was his life, not just his livelihood. Even in the toughest of times, his business was his focus and why he’d never give up his restaurant by choice. Running my own place—whether it was a bar or somewhere else—and making it mine had a sudden but undeniable appeal.
One of my favorite things about Kelly Lakes was the diversity of its residents, and I’d never heard an off-color comment or a joke about my Asian heritage from anyone here—as I’d had at work from time to time. But how would they take to a new female owner of their town’s oldest establishment? Would some of the older residents resent me or, worse, call me “sweetheart” and pat me on the head if I tried to enforce any rules?
I never shied away from anything, but the idea of buying my way into another situation like that exhausted me. Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of this unemployment sabbatical I was on? Why would I put myself into another aggravating situation where I had to prove I was good enough?
And how much did bars cost? It had been the question rolling around in my head ever since Jude had mentioned that Larry was selling it. But that was nuts, right?
The actual consideration I was giving to this crazy idea made my head hurt. I cupped my forehead and shifted to go back to Jake and Peyton’s table, when I bumped into someone’s hard shoulder, almost dropping my drink.
“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you while Larry was flirting with you.”
Jude’s voice had an unfamiliar hint of humor in it. He darted his eyes behind me before bringing them back to mine, something new in his features I hadn’t seen before and couldn’t quite pinpoint.
Almost like jealousy. Interesting.
“Larry likes to bust my chops, and I do it right back. I don’t know if you’d call that flirting.” I shrugged, crossing my arms as I searched his face. His brow knit together, a sarcastic chuckle falling from his lips.
“He busts everyone’s chops but doesn’t give them a once-over like he gave you.”
“And you were watching us long enough to spot a once-over? How observant, Sergeant Davis. Oh, wait.” I pressed a hand to his chest, his hard as granite and probably chiseled enough to be drool-worthy chest, as I glanced over his shoulder. “Are we fake dating here too?” I whispered into his ear, the woodsy scent of his cologne or aftershave or maybe even just him tempting me closer. “I told you that you need to give me a heads-up if we are so I can act accordingly. In case anyone gives me anotheronce-over.”
I pursed my lips at him as those icy-blue eyes bored into mine.
“Everyonegives you a once-over. You’re probably just too used to it to notice.”
“Well, fake boyfriend or casual lover or whatever we’re playing—” I cleared my throat as I shook off the rush of heat up my neck “—I’m surprised to see you tonight. I know you don’t like to leave your dad alone.”
“My uncle stopped by for the night, and even though he’s a jerk, at least I can relax knowing he’s there. Leo and Kristina asked me here tonight, and I didn’t want to miss it. I grew up with the Russos, and Leo always went the extra mile for my father on his shifts at the hospital. Coming tonight was the least I could do.”
He shrugged, tipping back his beer bottle and attracting my eyes once again to the sinful roll of his throat.
“I need to get used to my father fending for himself, even if it’s hard to relax. He deserves his peace, and so do I.” His crooked smile stole a little air from my lungs. “The circumstances of coming back sucked, but I have to admit it’s good to be home.”
“I’m glad to hear that. And if we are fake…something, interested in a couples’ game of darts?” I nodded toward the corner, spotting the same group of men laughing around the board that had been there since I’d come in.
“You play?” he asked, arching a brow.
“I do, and I’m pretty damn good,” I whispered in his ear.
“I bet you are,” he rasped, his voice dipping husky and low enough to make me tighten my hold on the bottle in my hand. Jude was hot enough in that brooding and aloof way I’d noticed since we’d met, but when he’d let himself go even a little, he was sex on legs—or he could be if he dropped the mask for longer than a few seconds.
“But good luck trying to get a game.” He tipped his chin toward the wall. “Those three never leave the dart board.”
“Maybe someone needs to teach them how to share.” I made my way around Jude and strutted up to the three men. I recognized one as Larry’s brother Lou, but I didn’t know the other two. The stockier one of the three aimed his dart at the board, throwing it way off target, despite his cocky stance before he let it go.
“Hey there, I’ll take next game,” I said, leaning against the wall. All three swiveled their heads in my direction, the man in front of the board eyeing me with a smirk. He was a couple of inches taller than me with salt-and-pepper hair and a short beard, regarding me as if I had just made a ridiculous request.
“Darts are sharp, honey,” he said, rolling his eyes at me before he threw another one at the board, this one managing to at least come inside the outer rim.
“Are they?” I pressed my hand to my chest. “I should get some gloves, then. Hey, Lou.” I nodded at Larry’s brother, a smirk curling his lips too but not in the same condescending way as his friend. He’d witnessed enough of me giving his brother shit on random nights to know I wouldn’t shrink away like the delicate and clueless flower this guy seemed to be mistaking me for.
“Okay, sweetheart,” he said, heading to the board to pluck the darts off. “You can try if you want.”
“Thank you so much,” I gushed as I took them from his hand. “Which way do you throw them? Oh, I’ll figure it out.” I waved a hand. “Here, honey. Can you hold this for me for a minute, please?” I handed my drink to a wide-eyed Jude and kissed his cheek, lingering a few seconds longer than I needed to and dragging my lips away. “Thanks, babe.”
