“Really, it was my fault,” she said and, deciding a strategic retreat was in order, turned back toward the bar.
“You’re sure you’re not hurt?”Knox asked.
“No.I mean, yes, I’m sure.”She glanced back over her shoulder, then bit back anoofwhen she bumped into the bar.“Really, I didn’t even fall.”
“She’s fine, Knox.”Coming up behind Knox, Jesse clapped a hand on his shoulder.“Stop stalking her.”
A furrow appeared between Knox’s eyebrows.“I wasn’t stalking her.”
“Uh-huh.”Tugging off his shearling jacket to reveal a flannel shirt in blues and greens and a pair of worn jeans, Jesse straddled a bar stool.“Hey, Mo.”
Chloe’s cheeks flamed when she realized Mo still stood behind the bar.And had seen…whatever that was.
“Jesse,” Mo said mildly.“How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain,” he said cheerfully.“Got a beer for me?”
“I think we can set you up.”Mo turned her gaze on Chloe.“Can you take care of that, hon?”
“Ah, yeah.”Wiping her hands on her apron, Chloe scurried back behind the bar.“What would you like?”
“Something dark,” he decided and winked.“Surprise me.”
With the wink sending the butterflies zooming again—and the buzz from Knox’s smile still humming—Chloe turned to pull a pint glass from the cooler.
“So, what brings the two of you by?No problems with the permits, I hope.”
“Just the opposite,” Knox said as Chloe turned, glass in hand.He’d shed his coat and settled on the stool next to Jesse, as comfortable in his elegantly cut suit as Jesse was in his flannel and jeans.“We posted the permits in the front windows, upstairs and down.We’ll get started bright and early Monday morning.”
Mo shifted aside so Chloe could get to the taps.“That’s good to hear.”
Chloe chose the tap she wanted and concentrated on building Jesse’s beer while keeping one ear on the conversation.
“Since you’re closed on Monday, we’ll try to get as much of the heavy demo done as possible,” Jesse was saying.“We won’t get it all, but we can get most of it.”
“Appreciate it,” Mo said.“Oh, I emailed you earlier.We picked a tile for the new bathrooms.”
“I got it,” Knox confirmed.“We already put the order in.”
“Any word on the finishes for upstairs?”Jesse asked and flashed a smile at Chloe when she set his beer in front of him.“Thanks, beautiful.What am I drinking?”
“Murphy’s Stout.”She gave in to impulse and returned the smile.“Give it a try.”
He picked up the glass, toasted her with it, then took a sip.His eyes lit with appreciation.“Nice.”
“We’re waiting a few more days on the upstairs finishes.”Mo gave Chloe a subtle elbow jab to nudge her back.“Hopefully our new restaurant manager will be living there, and we’d like to give her a say in the design.”
“Don’t wait too long or you’ll be limited to what’s already in stock,” Knox cautioned.
“Understood.”
Jesse set his beer down, his upper lip covered with foam.“By the way, Chloe, I like the new hair.”
“Oh.”She let out a half-laugh, one hand lifting to toy with her bangs.“Thanks.I’m still getting used to it.”
“It’s charming,” Knox agreed, that slow smile curving his lips.“I half expect you to sprout fairy wings.”
“It’s a good thing she hasn’t.”Mo stepped pointedly between Chloe and the bar.“I’d have to buy all new uniform shirts.Can I get you a drink, Knox?”
