Remi gives me a stern look. “Because you’re a bad bitch who is doing what she wants without owing anyone a single apology. You’re taking your life back, one dick at a time.”
I choke on air and heat instantly breaks out across my face. “I don’t know about all that.”
“You know what I mean,” she says, shrugging while she spins on her heel and heads to her side of the bar. I watch her for a brief moment and attempt to slow my heart rate. My eyes travelacross the bar and my gaze collides with Cole’s, instantly stealing my breath.
There’s an intensity in his stare and electricity sparks on the molecules dancing within the distance between us. The corners of his mouth lift, transforming into the subtlest of smiles, yet one that brightens his irises.
So much for my heart rate calming down. Instead, it kicks into overdrive, pounding erratically and uncontrollably in my chest. The terrified part of me is urging my body to turn around and run in the opposite direction. Forget about my job and head out of Silverspur Springs without looking back.
Remi was incredibly wrong. This man is going to become a threat if he keeps looking at me like that.
Inhaling deeply, I force myself to take a chance and to do my damn job. I move across the bar, walking until I’m standing directly in front of Cole and his friend. His lips stretch, smiling at me as I adjust my weight on my feet.
“Good evenin’.” My tone hitches higher and it sounds foreign to my ears. I fight the urge to shake my head at myself for sounding like an idiot. I duck my head momentarily, grabbing two drink napkins and set them on the wooden surface in front of them. “What are we drinking tonight?”
Austin speaks first. “I’ll take a bourbon.”
“Make that two,” Cole adds, his voice a deep vibration against my eardrums. I didn’t realize how much I was missing that sound until now. It’s like a hit of dopamine my body has been craving.
I smile my brightest smile at them in an attempt to push away the lightening feeling that enters my chest. Turning my back on the two of them, I begin to busy myself with their drinks before taking the glasses over to them.
Glancing down the row of people, I tell Cole I’ll be right back and collect the other orders before returning back to them. They break their conversation to turn their attention to me.
“Will either of you be ordering any food?”
Cole nods. “Yes, ma’am. What about you, Austin?”
His friend nods as well. “If you have other people you need to take care of, you can just come back to us then. I’m in the process of trying to convince Cole to buy a boat.”
“It’s okay, I think everyone is okay right now,” I say after doing a quick scan of the other patrons. No one appears restless or like they need me at this moment.
Cole rolls his eyes and chuckles. “I already told you, I don’t see a point in buying a boat when I can use yours.”
“Well, what if I want to use it at the same time you want to?”
They both look at me, like they’re looking for some help. I shrug and laugh softly, looking at Austin and then rest my eyes on Cole’s. “He does have a point.”
He narrows his eyes, although there’s mischief dancing in his blue irises. “You’re not helping my case here, darlin’.”
“I like her,” Austin declares with a smile. “I mean, I might be saying that because of one sentence, but you’re helping me get what I want so…”
“Hey, I’ll take it.”
Cole glances between the two of us. “I guess I should probably introduce the insufferable asshole whom I call my friend. Ella, you remember, Austin, right?”
Austin rises to his feet and holds his hand out to me. “I do,” I say, shaking his hand. “It’s been quite a few years.”
“It has,” he agrees as he releases his grip on my hand and returns to his seat. “I’ve heard so much about you recently, though.”
Those eight words feel like a shock to my heart, causing the organ to come to a complete standstill. My breath catches inmy throat, my eyes widening slightly as my mouth goes bone dry. I look at Cole and back to Austin, forcing my brain to say something, anything that isn’t stupid.
“I hope good things,” I manage to get the words out without sounding as nervous as I feel inside.
“Oh, yes,” he assures me with a gentle smile that twinkles in his gray eyes. “Nothin’ but good things.”
“Okay, she gets it,” Cole interjects and I silently thank him for saving me. His eyes are soft and kind as he watches me for a moment as Austin rises to his feet and excuses himself to use the restroom. Cole waits until he’s gone before speaking again. “You’ll have to excuse him. His parents taught him manners, but I’m afraid he forgets them at times.”
I laugh softly, appreciating the way he effortlessly changes the subject and directs it away from the fact that he’s clearly talked about me to his close friend. “You don’t have to apologize for him,” I tell Cole, tasting the risky words dancing on my tongue. They drift into my brain and instead of ignoring them, I decide to take a chance and speak boldly. “If I’m being honest, I like that you’ve talked to him about me.”
