“You’d seriously have my sister arrested?”
“I seriously would. Did you read the report?”
He nods. “Tell me anyway.”
“She was pissed that Kit told her to leave and grabbed someone’s beer and threw it at her,again. Then she busted Parker’s lip because he stopped her from coming after Annie and me.” I kept her name out of the report and will do everything I can to keep her as far away from this bullshit as I can. “All this before I gave her the courtesy of a conversation in my office that consisted of one last warning. She didn’t like what I had to say, and I was forced to restrain her until Rome showed up.”
He taps his foot, knowing that needed to happen. “Dammit.”
“I had to do something.”
“I get it, but—”
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket. Annie’s name flashes across the screen. I’ve been anxiously waiting for her call all day. “I gotta take this.”
“It’s not about Tara, is it? It’s about her…you think you need to protect your new woman from my sister.”
“Yeah, she’s why.”
It’salwaysbeen about Annie.
It’ll always be about Annie.
I turn my back to Max and go back behind the bar as I answer, “Hey, babe.”
“Hi, Ben.” My chest flips at the sound of her breathy greeting. “I just left work. And I um…wanted to see if you, uh—”
“Annie, you think after last night or this morning you need to be shy around me?”
“I guess not.”
A new customer comes in, and I hold my finger up. “You do understand where I’m at with you? Where we’re at?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, then don’t be afraid to ask whatever you’re unsure of or hesitate to say whatever’s on your mind. You never did before, and I don’t want you to start now.”
Her blinker clicks a half a dozen times before she speaks. “I’m on my way home, and I’m starving, so I was going to get something to eat from Burger & Biscuit before I came to the bar. I called to see if you’re hungry and want me to get something for you, too.”
“I’m good, but unfortunately, plans have changed for tonight, sweetheart,” I explain immediately so she can’t misconstrue anything. “Something came up, and Kit can’t work. I’ve been trying to get someone else to come in, but nobody’s available, so I’m alone all night. I won’t be able to sit at a table with you, but you can come hang out if you want.”
“Okay!”
“Actually…maybe it’s not such a good idea.”
“What?” Her excitement vanishes. “Why?”
I step back and lower my voice. “My dick is getting hard just talking to you. If I see you, do you really think I’ll be able to keep my hands off you?”
She clears her throat. “I’m in my scrubs.”
“You think that matters?”
“I did.”
I chuckle. “No, sweetheart. It doesn’t matter what you wear, I’ll always want to get my hands on you.”
“Well, you’ll just have to control yourself.”
