He braced his arms on the bar top and leaned toward me, his eyes sparkling and that dimple popping. And…damn it all tohell, he did absolutely nothing for me. There was nary a flutter in my stomach, not a single wisp of interest for this objectively hot man.
That was just fucking great. Not only had Atlas ruined me for all other mortal men in the dick department, but apparently, I couldn’t even enjoy flirting anymore.
“In this town?” he asked. “At least a year or two. We don’t get a ton of newcomers other than during tourist season, so it’s going to take a while before the novelty wears off.”
“Great. I love being under the spotlight.”
“Can I get you a drink to dull the beam a bit? First one’s on the house. You know, for being the new girl in town.” He flashed a smile. “I’m Lincoln, by the way.”
“Sutton.”
“Nice to meet you, Sutton. What brings you to our fine town?”
Before I could respond, Lincoln was yanked back, and in his place was a looming bear of a man—brick wall, indeed.
Atlas glared down at my new friend, irritation written in every coiled inch of his body. “I thought I told you to quit flirting with the customers.”
“No, you absolutely didn’t. And even if you did, I would’ve ignored it. Flirting’s the best part of my job.” Lincoln shot me a wink, and I couldn’t hope to hide my snort. This guy was a charmer with a capital C.
“Then go flirt inside,” Atlas bit out, crossing his arms over his chest, those biceps I hated to love showcased clearly even through his hoodie.
“Can’t.” Lincoln shrugged, then spread his arms wide to encompass the outdoor bar. “This is my domain tonight.”
“Not anymore. I’ve got it.”
Lincoln raised his brows, his gaze darting between Atlas and me. “You’ve got it? Since when?”
“Since right now.”
“What are you even doing here? You hate this shit. Told me this morning there was—what was it you said?—no amount of money or favors in the world that would get your ass here tonight.”
Atlas’s jaw ticked, irritation rolling off him in waves. And for once, that irritation wasn’t directed at me. “Your point?”
“Just wondering what changed, is all.” Lincoln slid his glance toward me, that dimple popping as he offered me a smile before he focused back on Atlas. “I have a few guesses…”
“Keep them to yourself,” Atlas snapped. “No one cares.”
“I don’t know… It seems like Sutton might care. Maybe we should ask her.”
“Maybe you should fuck off.”
“Is there, like, an asshole Olympics or something you’re training for?” I asked.
Lincoln barked out a laugh and clapped Atlas on the shoulder. “See, that’s why I’m in charge out here. You scare all the customers away.” He leaned toward me with a conspiratorial whisper. “My brother hates all things social. Or, actually, all things, period.”
“Yourbrother?” My brows lifted as I split my gaze between them, cataloguing their similarities.
They were both tall, though Atlas was taller. Broader, too. But they had the same dark hair, the same piercing eyes. That was where the similarities ended, though. Atlas’s demeanor screamedfuck off, while Lincoln’s did nothing but invite you in.
“One of ’em.” Lincoln eyed Atlas, something that looked an awful lot like amusement flashing across his face. “So, believe me when I say he doesn’t usually?—”
Atlas shoved a tray into Lincoln’s stomach, effectively cutting off whatever his brother was about to say. That only madeLincoln laugh, which, in turn, made Atlas’s scowl deepen. “Go inside. I’ll handle the bullshit out here.”
Lincoln tilted his head to the side, as if trying to get a read on his brother. Then he shrugged. “Sure thing, boss.” He walked backward toward the building’s entrance, shooting me a quick smile as he went. “I’ll let youhandleit.”
As soon as Lincoln was inside the bar, I narrowed my eyes at the pain-in-the-ass man in front of me. “Just to be clear, amIthe bullshit in this scenario?”
When Atlas’s only response was a tic of his jaw, I huffed out a laugh and shook my head. “Right…of course I am. Look, I know you hate that I’m here. But I’m not going anywhere. So, if you could cool it on being a grumpy asshole all the time, that’d be great.”
