“It’s been months since you were there.I thought you’d let it go.”
I wandered to the freezer, pulled out a bag of edamame, and popped it in the microwave.“Nope.I’ve been watching the bar in the afternoons and early evenings for the past few weeks.”
Chad’s body tensed.“Jesus!Why are you keeping things from me?”
I set the microwave to run and faced him.“Because I’m obstinate and headstrong?Anyway, their sister leaves at five for a break that’s been taking roughly two hours.She comes back a little after seven.Killian leaves at six and Ryan leaves at six-thirty during the week, so I’m going in at six-forty-five.Fifteen minutes should be plenty of time.”
Chad sipped his wine.“The way you described those two men…I thought you couldn’t tell the difference between them.I suppose that doesn’t matter as long as you see both men leave.But, are you sure you’re right about their schedules?”
“Sure, I’m sure.”
Chad shook his head.“I should meet you there.I’ll—”
He couldn’t be there, that I knew for certain even if I didn’t know exactly why.
“No!Chad, I’m good.It’s just a conversation.”
“Yes, it’s a life-changing conversation.Which could leave you in emotional tatters.”
That sounded dramatic, but Chad knew me well.Part of what fueled my headstrong obstinance was to make sure nobody could hurt me…and that was ultimately why I didn’t want Chad there.If I got rejected, it would hurt, but it would also be incredibly embarrassing (which was a different kind of pain), and I didn’t want anyone I knew witnessing that.
I shot my friend a gentle look.“I’ll call if I need you.”
Chad matched my gentle look but paired it with a gleam of sternness in his eyes.“No, sweets.You’ll call me before you leave there, so I know you’re good.”
As usual, Chad was right: I should have brought him with me – notthat I wouldtellhim that.
Traffic on the Buckman Bridge put me over an hour behind my usual schedule for scoping out On a Lark Bar and Grill.I pulled up to my normal spot at six-fifteen.Five minutes later, Ryan came outside.There was a remote chance it was really Killian, but as bad as traffic was all over town – Ryan had to be leaving early.
He threw a leg over his motorcycle, and I glanced away at the sight.Something about watching him climb on his bike made my belly flip and my breath catch.
What was that?
I might be attracted to him, but I wouldn’t let that attraction grow.
The roar of the bike’s engine got my attention.The moment I lost sight of the bike’s tail light after he got on US 90, I hopped out of my car and beelined toward the bar and grill.
As I strode along the sidewalk leading to the front door, a tall man wearing a baseball cap backwards blocked my path.
“About time you came out to play,” he said in a low voice.
Vaguely, I suspected he was the man who’d beaten on my car hood the first time I’d been here.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know you.”
He grinned, exposing yellowed teeth.Then he turned his head to spit, and I noticed the bulge of chewing tobacco in his cheek.“Don’t matter.I remember you.Scared you so bad, you jumped like a rabbit.Made my fuckin’ day.”
I didn’t like his vibe, but something told me being bitchy wouldn’t help me here, so I softened my tone.“Listen, I’m not interested.It’s not you, I’m in a crazy place at work right now and—”
I cut myself off when he chuckled.I read books, and I always found ‘dark’ to be the worst word to describe a chuckle.But now I’d actually heard one and I fought off a shiver.
“Don’t care if you’re ‘interested’ or not.I get what I want.Bonus, I saw how that prick bouncer drooled after you.”
I stepped back two paces.“He doesn’t even know me.”
“Bullshit.You followed him home four nights last week.”
Well, crud.
