“I’m just trying to make conversation,” he said, shrugging. “She your girlfriend?”
“Definitely not. I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”
I smirked. “Is it a job requirement to disclose my sexual preferences to my new boss?”
“Of course not. I’m just hoping to get to know you better.”
“I usually make a guy buy me a drink first.”
“Have I mentioned yet that I own a bar?”
My smirk relaxed into a smile. “There’s no boyfriend.”
I returned my focus to the glasses, and James seemed to take the hint, doing the same. “If you ever need anything, please tellme. Even if we’re slammed and you need the night off. I take care of my employees, Ryder.”
Meeting his dark eyes, my quip died in my throat. “Thank you,” I managed. “That means a lot.”
I was drained, but I hung around until he locked up, and we parted ways with him promising to get me a key on my next shift.
In the parking lot, I noticed a car idling next to mine, and as I approached, Ben got out and perched on his hood.
“Should you be driving?” I joked.
He laughed. “It’s been hours. Plus, that whole situation back there sobered me right up.” He scuffed a toe on the concrete. “I came to apologize.”
I took the spot next to him, shoving my hands in my pockets. “I know you’re just trying to protect your daughter.”
“Erinis trying to protect our daughter. I’m trying to rein her in.” He sighed. “I told her we shouldn’t ambush you—especially before talking to Hannah. That girl has had her whole world flipped upside down. Someone needs to be on her side.”
“That’s why I moved across the country. I haven’t known her for very long, but she’s an incredible person. You and Erin have done an amazing job raising her. I’m not going to take her away.”
“I know that, and I think Erin knows that too. I honestly don’t know what’s gotten into her.”
I cringed. “I think I do. Decades-old memories resurfacing.”
“Ryder, that’s not?—”
“Ben. I know it’s been twenty years, but our breakup was messy. Painful—for both of us. We never hashed any of it out. With a kid in the mix we likely never will.” I sighed. “I’mthe one who should be apologizing for my reaction tonight. I knew that meeting wasn’t going to be easy, but I never expected termination papers to be put in front of me.”
“Understandable.” The conversation lulled, and I looked over to see Ben’s brow furrowed, his eyes cast downward. Something was on his mind.
“What’s your stance in all this?” I asked.
An uneasy laugh bubbled out of him. “I…” He hesitated, then took a deep breath. “As much as the outcome terrifies me, I need to side with Hannah on this one.”
“Terrifies?” I echoed.
His expression went from uncomfortable to scared, almost fragile. “What if she doesn’t pick me?”
My heart hurt forhim. “That won’t happen.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“For one thing, she walked into that house today and calledyouDad, not me. You’re not going anywhere—especially once she knows you’re on her side.”
My phone buzzed in my hand. Hannah’s name flashing across the screen. I kept it angled away from Ben, considering, then finally decided to see what she wanted before cluing Ben in. “I should take this,” I said. “Someone I met back in Vegas.”
