It does, actually. But anyway.
I inhale a slow, calming breath, trying to regain control of the situation. “Mark, please. After all we’ve been through, after everything thathappened…” I pause, letting my words linger in the air. I don’t need to say it because he knows what I mean.You screwed me over. You owe me.
He considers me for a moment and there’s a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. I feel a premature sense of triumph, but it’s quickly shot down when he shakes his head, his jaw set.
“I’m sorry. This isn’t personal, it’s just business. It’s long overdue.”
Not personal, my ass. If Mel’s behind this, she’s trying to hurt me—and that doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
“So you’ve got one payment left on the old rate,” Mark continues, “then it’s going up. Look, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He pushes away from the counter, and I fight the urge to simultaneously cry, scream, and punch him in the throat. “I’ll catch you later.” And he turns and lopes out the door.
I stare after him, my mouth hanging open, frozen with shock.
Well.
Fuck.
4
“So, I think I owe you an apology.”
I take the vodka soda from Myles’s outstretched hand and throw half of it back in one gulp, hoping it will make me feel better. Wiping my mouth, I tilt my head at him. “For what?”
“Uh, you know…” He rubs the back of his neck, glancing up and down the bar, then back at me. “Hitting on you last time you were in here. I didn’t know you were CatPorter—as in, Cory’s little sister.”
I chuckle, reaching down to pat Stevie’s head under my stool. She’s used to being brought in here and doesn’t have a problem with the people or the noise, but I still feel a bit anxious when I have her with me. “Did Cory say something?”
“Yeah, he’s pretty protective of you. He didn’t seem to want me to—well, I guess as my boss’s sister, it wasn’t exactly appropriate for me to ask you out.”
Wow, who is this guy? Last time I was in here, he was all ego and brash self-confidence.
I reassure him with a smile. “Honestly, it’s okay.” I pick up my drink and drain it, setting it down on the bar and gesturing for him to make me another.
“Cool.” A relieved grin broadens his face as he reaches for the Absolut bottle. “I’d like it if we could be friends, though.”
“Sure. It’s always a good idea to be friends with the person who has access to the booze.” I take my drink and knock it back in one go. Ah, sweet alcohol. I might be about to lose my shop and everything I care about, but as long as I’ve got vodka, I’ll be fine. “Another.” I slam my glass down on the bar and look up at Myles.
“Seriously?” His steel-blue eyes observe me with suspicion. “You’ve barely taken a breath. You got another date coming or something?”
I glance down at my black jeans and combat boots. As if I’d ever wear this on a date. “No, just…” I release a weighted sigh. “Bad day at work.”
“You want to talk about it?”
I give him a faint smile. “Thanks, but I need to talk to Cory. It’s an issue with my business.”
Myles leans against the bar. “I might be able to help.”
“I really don’t think so,” I mumble, trying not to be impolite. I mean, Cory runs this place and he does it well; he understands business. Myles just pours drinks. Speaking of… “Um, another vodka, please?” I shake my empty glass and the ice rattles against the side.
“Yeah… I’m going to wait for Cory, I think,” he murmurs, not taking his eyes off me.
“What?”
“I’m not about to get you drunk. Cory will be here any moment. It won’t kill you to wait.”
I gaze longingly at the bottles of spirits lined up behind the bar. “It might.”
A group of women hop onto stools down the other end and Myles gestures for me to stay put. I harrumph and peek under the stool to check on Stevie. She’s curled up in a ball asleep, and I slump against the bar, watching Myles saunter toward the women.
