From Hollis.
It feels like pouring water on a fire, and I can’t explain why. I try to refocus on Jace, but he’s staring at my watch.
“Who’s Hollis?”
“What?” My heart starts to hammer in my chest. Why am I behaving like a cheating spouse? I haven’t done anything wrong.
“He’s just a friend.”
“Just a friend?”He pushes away from me. I can hear the accusation clear in his tone.
“Yes. A friend. I’ve known him forever. He used to live with my family when I was in high school, and we recently reconnected.”
“He’s one of your parents’ little pet projects, then? Like Myles? And Zander? Your parents sort of adopted him, too, right?”
My hackles rise. “Do not call my siblings pet projects, Jace.”
“So is that all this Hollis guy is to you? A sibling?”
I wait just a second too long to reply.
“That’s what I thought,” he sneers, stalking toward the door like he can’t get away from me fast enough. “I’m out of here. Enjoy serving a full house tonight without me.”
Well, Jace was right about one thing. I definitely did not have a good night.
With him bailing on me and the packed house he promised, I was left short-staffed and overwhelmed. My bartender, Mel, helped out a ton, but it was just too much, and by the end of the night, I was breaking my own rule and comping drinks just to keep customers happy.
Now, it’s three a.m., and I’m pretty sure I just woke up all my neighbors when I dropped my keys at my front door, cursed, and then loudly burst into tears.
By the time I make it inside, I let go of everything—purse, shoes, and keys. It all goes onto the coffee table as I head to the sofa, bury myself in a pile of blankets, and try to forget the last eight hours.
It doesn’t work.
I check my watch and see the minutes ticking by.
I’m dead on my feet, but I’m wide awake.
I’m so angry at Jace. I can’t stop replaying those moments in the stockroom. How dare he get mad at me for texting an old friend when he flirts with every woman in the bar?
With a huff of frustration, I sit up and reach for my phone. I had hoped to just flop onto the couch and fall asleep from exhaustion, but clearly that’s not happening.
Maybe a shower would help clear my head and calm me down. A little personal time with my battery-operated friend would definitely do the trick.
At that thought, I remember I have unread text messages from Hollis.
I should not be following up thoughts of an orgasm with Hollis Beck…
Hollis
Hope the band goes well tonight.
Make sure you eat. Old folks like us need protein.
I grin at that last remark and swoon a little at the first one. I barely remember telling him about the band I booked for the evening.
I can’t believe he remembered.
But then, he seems to remember everything.
