I point to Collin. “Keep him off the bar.”
Collin grins. “I’ll do my best.”
I move quickly toward the hallway, noticing instantly the lines for the bathroom. No way am I waiting out here, so I carefully slip between the people and make my way through the first back door that’s closed and head for the stairs. Pulling my keys out of my pocket as I go, I have the door unlocked the moment I hit the landing.
I bolt toward the bathroom and take care of business, grateful to finally have an empty bladder. As I’m washing my hands, I hear what sounds like my door opening and closing, even over the hum of the band through the floor.
Did I lock the door behind me?
I know I was in a hurry to use the bathroom, what if someone followed me up here?
I look around the bathroom for a weapon, really only finding my hair dryer. I grab it regardless and prepare to use it against whoever is in my apartment. Ignoring the pounding in my chest, I place my hand on the doorknob and gently crack it open. Just as I start to pull the door open, steeling my spine to defend myself and my home, I spot a familiar face leaning against the wall across from me.
“What the hell?” I ask, opening the door completely.
He glances at my hand and cracks a smile. “What were you gonna do with that?”
“Whack you with it! Jesus, Collin, you scared the shit out of me. I heard the door and freaked out,” I reply, dropping the hair dryer on the ground.
Trying to be stern, he steps forward and pulls me into his arms. “You should make sure you lock your door, especially on a night like this.”
I huff, threading my arms around his waist. “I know, stupid mistake, but all I could think about was peeing.”
He presses his warm lips to my own, his tongue delving inside my mouth. “Mmm, best break I’ve ever taken.”
“Uhh, yeah, speaking of that. Not that I’m not relieved it was you in my apartment and not someone else, but what are you doing up here? Did you really just leave your brother, the man who’d give anything to perform a Magic Mike routine on the top of my bar, downstairs to man everything?”
He snorts. “He has help. Charli and Cam stepped in so I could go to the bathroom too. I’m sure it’s fine.”
I’m not convinced, and I’m sure my face shows exactly that. “You left your brothers behind my bar? Thank God for Charli.”
He chuckles a low, gravelly sound that is like a jolt of electricity to my lady bits. “That’s funny, if you think Charli would be any more responsible behind the bar than Cam or Cade. She’s just as much of a menace. She’ll be the one to give away free drinks.”
My eyes narrow. “Again…and yet, you left them all down there.”
Finally, he smiles widely. “It’s okay, I promise. They vowed to be on their best behavior, but I’m not sure they’re the best at mixing drinks, so we should probably get back down there as soon as possible.”
Exhaling, I brush my lips across his once more, wishing we had more time. “I’d rather stay right here and kiss you.”
“Same, Lizzie, same.” He places a chaste kiss to my lips and slips around me. “Give me a minute to use the bathroom and then we can get back down there.”
While he goes in to use the facilities, I grab two bottles of water from the fridge and twist the first cap open, taking a hearty drink. When Collin joins me, I hand him the other bottle. “Thanks.”
“Of course.” With one more pull from the bottle, I replace the cap and walk toward the door. “Ready?”
“Yep,” he states, following behind me to the door. He makes sure the lock is engaged before we carefully descend the steps. “What do you think of the band?” he asks, having to raise his voice over the noise.
“I love them! I think they’re doing a great job.”
“Agreed. The patrons seem pretty pleased with them.”
We round the counter and walk through the doorway separating the bar from the back. My eyes instantly go to the bar, where I see Cade, Camden, and Charli grabbing drinks. Charli seems to be the one using the register, which I’m grateful for. Not that it’s too difficult, but I’m sure she’s not certain on the prices of everything, so hopefully their assistance didn’t create too much of a mess for me to figure out later.
Just as we approach the end of the bar, someone waves at Collin. He changes our trajectory, taking my hand so I’m forced to follow him. “Hey, you made it!”
“Of course I did. This place looks great!” the man says, offering me a friendly smile.
“That’s all thanks to this woman. Gio, meet Lizzie, the owner of The Tipsy Lizard. Lizzie, this is Gio, a coworker for the Sycamore Fire Department and a good friend.”
