Remembering the two choices I gave her earlier, her using this one brings a smile to my lips, one that matches hers. “Yeah, I think that’s the least I can do.”
Pleased by my answer, another slide of her hips is enough to stir something up in me again. “How about we save that kind of talk for tomorrow? For now…”
Another laugh leaves her as I drag her back down with me, ready to discover another new position to see what other new things I can learn about her.
8
Daphne
Epilogue
There’s no denying the shift in Gavin’s demeanor when he sees how many bodies are inside the Hollow Oak. It’s always interesting to me that despite how successful this place is, he gets more uncomfortable when everything is booming and going well.
Even with the kitchen shut down, people are still happy to drink to their heart’s content while watching the games on screen.
Reaching out to him, I squeeze his hand. “It’s just for a few minutes. Will you be alright?”
He nods, the tension in his shoulders easing as he returns my squeeze. “Just need to deal with what Levi wants to do, and then we can hopefully get out of here. Last stop?”
Thanks to something going wrong with the kitchen equipment and a few visits from the local handyman, Gavin is needed to make some costly decisions.
Knowing how socially drained he must currently be feeling, I nod. “Yeah, last stop. After that, we can do whatever you want.”
Dangerous words, sure, but we both know what that basically means.
At the bar, the usual women bounce around their customers, a smile on their faces. As comical as it is, some of the kitchen staff try to help out, too, but they seem more like they’re in the way.
Eden spots us and looks excited. Next to her, Emmett takes up most of her space. The pair seems to be taking charge of the left back corner of the bar top. She waves her hand to get our attention.
“You see what she wants, and I’ll take care of the stuff in the back?” Making the suggestion, he sends me off with a light kiss to my head before prying himself off of me.
Lingering enough to enjoy the back view of him, I make my way over to the bar. “Gavin might be a minute, if you’re looking to ask him for something.
“Oh, I didn’t want to talk to him. I wanted to talk toyou.” Her smile grows, that vibrant red lipstick of hers impeccable. “I actually wanted to ask you a question. Something in your field, you know?”
Motioning her fingers in the air around me, I have to fight not to laugh.
I may not be super close to his workers, but Eden is one of the last ones I’d thought would want to talk to me about love. Especially when she already has Emmett glued to her side, even under the guise of working.
“How about a mocktail on me, in return for some solid love advice?” Giving me a sly smile and a slow nod to encourage meto say yes, I can’t stop the laugh from leaving my lips as I nod with her.
Even if Gavin’s employees actually needed a matchmaker, I have no doubt that I’d offer them a steep discount. All of them are great.
Sipping the drink, I sigh softly with pleasure at the fruity taste. These bartenders really know how to throw the drinks together. While I sip it down, I glance at the two.
I’ve watched these two in the past and definitely felt something between them. Gavin told me not to intervene, so I’ve kept my mouth shut, but Iknewfeelings were blooming.
The funny thing about Eden is that she may not explicitly state her feelings for her coworker, but she’s definitely given him hints.
I’m thinking this is less about wanting advice and more about seeing if he’ll catch on on his own.
From the scowl etched on his mouth, an expression I know well when associated with jealousy.
“So.” Eden clicks her tongue and leans against the other side to make herself level with me. “I met this really hot dude, right? I’m talking eleven out of ten.”
It takes a lot of effort not to look at Emmett, but seeing him pause in my peripheral is enough to know he’s listening.
“But here’s the thing. I think he likes me, but he has never really outright said it, you know?” She starts babbling about a man who, I’m sure, is nonexistent.
