A busty redhead holding two bottles of gin appears from the staff only door. Her ruby lips part, her cheeks flush. “Dom?”
My mouth drops open like a dog playing fetch, panting and waiting for his reward.
“I’ll let Poppy serve you,” Heather says, then moves on to the next person waiting.
We stare at each other for a moment. I take in the beautiful face I’ve missed so much and her button nose that I just want to kiss. “How are you?”
She places the bottles of gin down on the bar. “I’m good. Really good. How are you?’
“Great.” Another lie. Even now, I’m not great. My palms are sweating, and my heart is racing like a greyhound just saw a hare. But Poppy looks incredible in her white blouse and figure hugging black skirt. She looks too classy for this joint.
“I wondered how long it would be before you showed up here.” She gives me a knowing smile, like she’s been expecting me.
“I didn’t know you worked here.”
“Sure you didn’t.”
“I didn’t. How long have you been here?”
“I saw Lilly the day I left. She helped me find somewhere to stay. Then I came and asked about the job.”
I don’t know whether I’m angry that she’s been here the whole time or elated that she decided to stay, even if it wasn’t to be with me.
“I never removed the tracker from the lipstick. Also I saw your friends a few times, too. I thought maybe they might’ve told you.”
I nod with a grin. The fuckers knew. That’s why they kept asking me to go out. And when I refused, they got Dan to come over and drag me out.
“You look…” I want to say sexy as fuck. Incredible even. I want to say and do a lot of things, but I need to keep things light. She wanted her space, and I have to respect that.
She widens her smile, pushing up her flushed cheeks waiting for me to finish my sentence.
“You look well.”
“I am well.” She reaches her hand over the bar and presses her palm against my cheek. “You look different.” She ruffles my full beard with her fingers and giggles. I forgot how much I love that sound. “What’s this? Did your shaver break? Or let me guess, you’re on a job, and it’s part of your disguise?”
I chuckle, running my hand over my grizzly jaw now her fingers are gone. “If it is, it’s not working very well. I couldn’t fool you.”
“I’d know your eyes anywhere. No matter what disguise you had.”
Same, baby. Same.
“What can I get you to drink?”
“Two pints and a non-alcoholic beer for me, please.”
“You driving?”
“Yep.” It all makes sense now. The guys planned it so I would drive and have a clear head when I saw her.
She bends down to retrieve a glass from under the counter. I can’t stop my eyes from drifting down her cleavage. A wave of pleasure tightens my stomach.
“Thank you, by the way.” She places the glass under the spout and pours a pint.
“For what?”
“The money. I’ll pay you back when I’ve saved up enough.”
“I don’t care about the money. Why didn’t you call or text and let me know you were still in town?”
