Ryan projected a kind of laidback confidence in every area of his life, but here behind the bar, he seemed especially at home. He held a glass beneath the tap and filled her beer, then set it in front of her. He leaned in, his mouth brushing her ear. “Please tell me you’re still not wearing any panties.”
She winked. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
He straightened, a new glint in his eyes. “I’ll get it out of you by the end of the night.”
“You’re welcome to try.” The truth was, she was wearing panties. Not even newly adventurous Emma was reckless enough to leave the house commando in a knee-length dress.
“I like a good challenge,” he said, turning to wipe a water ring off the bar to her left. “Be right back.” He headed over to check on some of the other customers. The bar was fairly busy tonight. In fact, Emma didn’t see an empty stool in the place.
As she scanned the bar, her gaze settled on a familiar figure standing just inside the door. Jessica Flynn owned the Haven Spa, just up the road from Off-the-Grid Adventures. She’d been a year ahead of Emma in high school, but they’d had a few classes together and remained casual friends over the years. Emma waved, and Jessica headed her way.
“Hey, Jess. You here by yourself?” Emma asked.
Jessica shook her head, running a hand over her dark hair. “Actually, I’m meeting someone.” She scrunched her nose slightly. “A blind date…or whatever you call it when you meet someone from one of those online dating sites.”
“Oh, cool,” Emma said with a smile. “I tried that a few weeks ago, too. Either there are a lot more cute, single guys in Haven than I knew about or some of them are using jazzed-up profile pictures.”
“I hope for option A but fear option B,” Jessica said. “So have you been on many dates?”
“Actually, no…” She slid a glance over at Ryan, who was busy mixing drinks for a group of middle-aged women at the end of the bar.
“You and Ryan Blake?” Jessica’s eyebrows went up.
“Yep.”
“Wow, I would not have pictured you two together.” Jessica looked from Emma to Ryan and back. “But I think I like it. He’s a good guy, you know. I knew him pretty well back in high school.”
“Well, it’s just casual,” Emma said with a shrug, “but we’re definitely having fun. So who’s your date?”
“His name’s Ruben Callihan. We’ve been e-mailing for a week or so. He seems nice. We’ll see.”
“Want me to be your safety? You know, you text me an SOS, and I’ll come break up your date?”
Jessica blew out a breath. “Actually, after some of the online dating horror stories I’ve heard, that sounds like a brilliant idea.”
“Awesome. You’ve got my number, right?”
Jessica thumbed through the contacts in her phone. “Yep, you’re in here.” She glanced over at the door. A tall, thin man had just entered The Drunken Bear, looking around nervously. “I think this is him. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” Emma said. “Send me an SOS if you need me.”
“Will do, and thanks.” With a wave, Jessica headed across the room toward her date.
Emma turned back to the bar and took a drink from her beer.
“How’s Jessica?” Ryan asked, making his way back over to her. “I hardly ever see her around.”
“I don’t imagine she comes by Off-the-Grid much.” Emma shook her head with a smile. Mark and Jessica had been hot and heavy for a while in high school, and their breakup had been messy, so messy that Jessica still wouldn’t give him the time of day.
“This is true,” Ryan said. “She pretty much still hates Mark’s guts.”
“Well, I don’t see her all that much either, but she’s doing good from what I know. The spa rocks, and it always seems busy when I’m there.”
“You like those mud masks or whatever?” he asked, looking amused.
“I’ve tried them, and I like them, but my favorite is soaking in the natural hot springs.”
Ryan’s eyes heated. “The stuff of legends. I’ve never tried them.”
