“I don’t think ‘quadra-bajillions’ is an accurate measurement of capital,” April says, blinking slowly.
“Isn’t it?” Rebel asks, counting on her fingers. “Million. Billion. Trillion. Quadra-bajillion. Sounds right to me.”
Cordelia cackles and points at each of us. “I think you ladies are officially buzzed.”
“I’m pleasantly numb which is a far way from tipsy, and don’t try to change the subject, Miss Davenport.” I wiggle a finger in her face.
Cordelia juts her chin out. “‘Miss Davenport’ is someone from my old life. Now, I’m just ‘Delia’, a regular resident of Lucky Falls. Rebel is the one with all the power in this town. She owns practically all of downtown.”
“Oh-ho.” Rebel shakes her head but doesn’t deny it.
I sloppily rise to my feet and my chair scrapes the ground.
“Whoa! Whoa!” Delia reaches out to steady me.
However, I find my balance. “I am in the company of the most powerful, wealthy and influential women in town. It’s an honor.”
I bow deeply.
April bursts out laughing.
Rebel smirks.
Cordelia snorts. “I need to introduce you to my mother. She’d love that.”
As I’m about to reclaim my seat, I casually glance around the bar and find someone staring me down. Despite the colorful lights strung along the walls and the warm lamp sconces, it’s still rather dark in The Tipsy Tuna.
I blink and lean forward, peering at the man.
That gorgeous head shape.
Shock pushes me back in my seat and I blink rapidly. The warmth from the girls and from the drinks leaves me in a snap.
What is Nat doing here?
“I love having another female mechanic in Lucky Falls,” April is saying as she grins drowsily. “To Riley!”
Rebel and Delia both lift their drinks. “To Riley.”
I struggle to smile, but my lips won’t make the right formations. Now that I know Nat is here, my entire body is straining to turn and watch him. I wish I had eyes in the back of my head, so I could get one good look.
After he left my office this afternoon, I folded over on my desk and didn’t move a muscle until I heard the mechanics return from lunch. The thought that I had hurt Nat, that I’d made him feel like he’d done something wrong despite being such a great guy—it cut me to the quick.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve only ever wanted Nathan Campbell to be happy.
But it had to be done.
I couldn’t prioritize his happiness at the cost of him, unknowingly and unintentionally, breaking my heart.
“April,” a deep voice says and I look up.
Chance McLanely is standing at our table, looking down at his girlfriend with a rather wild-eyed urgency.
“Chance!” April squeals. Eyes at half-mast and a flush on her face, she lifts her hands to him.
Chance drops his head so April can enclose his neck with her arms and she hangs on him like a monkey, squishing her face against his.
“Oof. How much did you drink, Tink?”
