“Belongs to her? What the hell are you talking about?”
I recognized the slimy edge in Artie’s voice as he charged up to Larry.
“You’re selling it to her after you told me no?” He was loud enough to turn heads in both our directions.
“She’s making me a good offer.” Larry shrugged. “Not offering me half of what the place is worth because you didn’t think anyone would want it.”
“You don’t screw over your neighbor, Larry. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’ve spent a lot of nights in this bar. I would have held up the legacy, but I guess you don’t give a shit about that if you’re letting her have it.”
Artie’s jaw ticked as he looked my way, grasping the edge of the bar counter as if he wanted to flip it over.
When I cut Jude a look, he was scowling right back at Artie. I wasn’t sure if he was going into cop mode or possessive protector, but it sent a zing between my legs all the same.
“I have nothing but good intentions for this bar when I own it, I promise,” I told Artie with a big smile plastered on my face.
“You don’t know anything about this town or the businesses here. I asked around about you.” Artie stuffed his hands into his pockets and came up to us. “You come back and forth from Brooklyn and act like you’re one of the locals, which you aren’t, no matter how many cops you date.”
“Watch yourself, Artie,” Jude said through gritted teeth.
“You’re not in uniform, so you’re off the clock. Are you going to arrest me for being mean to your girl?” he sang in a whiny voice.
“His girl can take care of herself. And if you were trying to be mean, you have to do a little better than that. Another night of not being able to find the dart board make you cranky?” I jutted my bottom lip in an exaggerated pout.
Artie seethed with his nostrils flaring, but he didn’t reply as he backed away.
“Anyway, I’ll do a shot of tequila if it’s on you, Larry. The good stuff, until I have to pay for it.”
He laughed, heading over to me with a shot glass in his hand.
“I have no doubt you’ll give this place the life I never had the energy for.” He reached behind the bar for a bottle and filled up my glass. “You’re starting already.” His smile was flirty but genuine. I still needed all the support I could get, and I returned his wide grin. “Anything for you, Sergeant?”
“No, I’m good. Thank you.”
Larry chuckled to himself as he looked between us and headed back to the customers at the other end of the bar.
Tingles ran up my neck when I leaned back on Jude’s arm draped across the back of my seat.
“You need to chill.” I squeezed Jude’s knee until he turned toward me. “The jealousy is adorable but, I assure you, completely unnecessary.”
He shot me a quick side glance as a reluctant smile curved his lips.
“It’s not that. Or, not only that. I don’t want Artie giving you any trouble.”
“Oh, him.” I shook my head. “Of all the things I’m worried about with taking this place over, he’s not one of them.” I raised my shot glass in a mock toast when I caught Artie still staring and threw it back.
“I’ve dealt with plenty of assholes in my time. I may be clueless about everything else, but I can handle him.” I drifted my hand across Jude’s back, the countless muscles flexing under my touch. So far, the shot made me more brazen than level-headed, but the momentary buzz helped me not to care. “I find him more whiny than threatening, although this no-nonsense cop thing you have going on right now is bringing back lovely memories of when we first met.”
Jude rolled his eyes at me, but I spotted the almost-smile wanting to break out across his lips.
I really liked this guy. Every version of him.
Man, I was in a shit-ton of trouble.
“I heard you’re the almost boss lady.”
I swiveled my head as a woman in a Halman’s T-shirt with brown curls piled on top of her head made her way over to me. She seemed a little older than me, maybe late forties or so, with a little gray sprinkled into her brown hair as she came closer, her warm smile truly relaxing me for the first time tonight.
“I’m Celia, but everyone calls me Cece. I work the bar during the week.” She held out her hand. “I let the young ones take the weekends with the actual crowd. I’ve been here long enough to do that. Nice to see you, Davis.”
