“Another?” I offer, but she waves me off.
“Nope, that was my last one. Back to Lizzie,” she starts, earning a groan from me.
“Let’s not.”
“Let’s,” she pushes, her blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Nope,” I reply, standing up and stretching.
“She was totally checking out your butt when you were shooting pool.”
That makes me pause, but I school my features so nothing registers. I’m a pro at making sure my siblings can’t get a read on me, something I perfected when I was younger.
“I think she likes you.”
I sigh and face my sister. “Butt out, Char. There’s nothing there.”
She shrugs and flashes a sweet little grin. “If you say so.”
“I do,” I reply, suddenly unable to ignore the fact she was staring at my ass. Not that it means anything, like Charli is stating, but it’s nice to hear. “You’re up,” I state, bending down and placing a kiss on her cheek. “I’m out.”
“You sure?”
“Yep. I’m exhausted and ready to crash. You okay to get home?”
My sister rolls her eyes. “Of course I’m good. Cade told me he’d get me home.”
I glance over at my twin, who stopped drinking a while ago. “Make sure he gets the idiots home too,” I state, referring to our younger brother and his sidekick friend.
Charli sighs dramatically. “They’re on their own.”
I narrow my eyes at her, knowing she’d never actually make them figure out their own ride home after they’ve been drinking. “Anyway, be safe. Love you.”
“Love you too, Col. See you soon.”
I nod and wave at my brothers. “Charli’s got my spot.”
I don’t miss the way Quinn’s face lights up, but my attention is quickly pulled to my twin. “Can’t hang, huh?”
“It was a long shift last night, into this morning.”
He flashes a cocky smile. “So, that means Lizzie’s all mine tonight,” he states, slapping his hands and rubbing them together.
“Whatever,” I reply, even though I suddenly feel like I just swallowed gravel. The thought of my brother hitting on her, taking her home, has my gut in knots and my brain ready to explode.
He barks out a laugh, throwing his head back for dramatics. “You should have seen the look on your face.”
“Fuck off, Cade.” With that, I turn around, the sound of his laughter echoing through the bar as I head for the door.
Just as I reach the old wooden door, I pause and glance over my shoulder. Lizzie and Jani are behind the counter, but only one pair of eyes are on me. If she’s embarrassed about being busted watching me, she doesn’t let on. Just lifts her hand to wave and gets back to work. I know I should probably go check to see if they need anything before I go, but Jani is good, and if Lizzie is correct, and she’s practically grown up in a bar, I’m sure they’ll be fine.
The thought of my brother offering to help causes my feet to falter as I push through the door, but I don’t stop. I forge on and refuse to look back any more than I already have.
Something tells me that woman is nothing but trouble.
Best keep my eyes straight ahead and remember exactly who she is.
My boss.
