Maeve: Pops is back in the hospital.
My heart squeezes with empathy for my friend. A string of texts comes in lightning fast, our group chat asking all the same questions I have, and offering support. Ryan and Aiden are already on theirway to Show Low. Maeve will head over in the morning. They don’t need anything for now, just to keep him in our thoughts and hope for an easy recovery. I reply with my own message of support.
Me: Reach out if you need anything. I’m so sorry, Maeve.
It’s been a rough couple of years. First, with the death of their mother after her battle with cancer, and then the progression of Tim Wilder’s dementia. He’s been in a memory care facility for almost a year now, but I see how it weighs on Maeve and her siblings. They’ve lost so much in such a short span of time.
Someone shouts from across the bar, pulling me back to my people watching.
“I better get back. Thanks for the drink.” The woman at Jackson’s side flashes him a wink before using his body to balance her slightly tipsy dismount from her barstool. “Call me if you’re lonely later.” She points at him, taking a step backward. “And none of thatI lost your numberBS.”
“Okay, okay.” He chuckles as the woman retreats with her drink.
She drags her gaze over him once more before turning to strut away. Her hips sway exaggeratedly, likely for his entertainment, but Jackson’s already turned back to the bar.
A bubble of laughter escapes my lips despite my effort to hold it in.
“Something funny?”
Fuck.I drag my gaze away from the page I’m pretending to read and meet his gaze. “My book.”
He squints, his gaze zeroing in on my book. “The Year I Lost Love?”He reads the title aloud. “Doesn’t seem like much of a knee-slapper.”
He’d be right. This one is a tear-jerker. Not that I’ll admit it. “You’d have to read it to understand.” I reach for my glass and take a sip of my wine.
“Liar.” He chuckles.
I raise my eyes and act offended. “Excuse me?”
“I saw the way you turned your nose up at Daisy. It’s bad enough you come in here wearing that uptight little outfit, but it wouldn’t hurt to put your book down. Have a little fun.” He nods at my book. “It is Saturday. Some of us actually like to unwind and have a good time on the weekend.”
“I’m having a good time,” I say defensively, straightening my cardigan and checking that the clasp on my string of pearls is in place.
“Reading in a bar?”
“Reading anywhere.”
Now it’s his turn to scoff.
I lift my eyebrows. “Look who’s being judgmental now.”
“I knew it. You were laughing at her.”
“Not her.” I roll my eyes. “You.”
“Me?” He stands, picking up his beer and hat. He moves down to my end of the bar, swallowing up the space with his long legs in several strides. “Tell me, darlin’. What did I do?”
He towers over me, standing at my side, and I swear he sucks up all the oxygen from this corner of the room. It’s the only explanation for why I suddenly feel out of breath.
I shake my head. “I can’t say.”
He grins, and I swear it warms me from the inside out. “Now, why’s that?”
I’m so distracted by his smile, it takes me a second to remember why I’m unimpressed with him.
“Because I was taught if I don’t have something nice to share, I should keep it to myself.”
He laughs, sliding onto the seat next to mine. “Oh, now you have to tell me.”
