“We’re having a hot wings promotion. If you can eat a whole platter of wings in five minutes, you win a prize,” she explained.
“What’s the prize?” Xavier flashed her a wide grin that caused butterflies to flutter around in her stomach. The feeling took her by surprise. Not even her ex-boyfriend, Garrett, had made her feel this way.
“A Northern Exposure T-shirt. And bragging rights.” Judging by his expression, he wasn’t impressed. “Want to take a whirl?” she asked.
Xavier smirked. “No thanks.”
She gave him her best bless-your-heart smile. “I don’t blame you. It’s not for the faint of heart. Most people can’t hack the heat.”
Xavier chuckled and shook his head. “Trust and believe, I can eat hot wings with the best of ’em. Matter of fact,” he said, puffing out his chest, “I’ve won my fair share of contests.”
“You don’t say,” True drawled, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
“No, seriously. I’ve got a really high tolerance for heat.”
“These are pretty hot,” she cautioned. “I’ve known a few grown men who’ve been on their knees after eating these.”
“I can handle it,” he said. Xavier sounded cocky to True’s ears. Humph. He wasn’t even trying to listen to her words of wisdom. A true know-it-all.
“So you’re in?” she asked. When he nodded, she said, “It’ll be on the house, sort of a welcome to Moose Falls gift.” It was the least she could do, considering he was about to be in a world of hurt.
Xavier slapped his palm down on the counter. “You’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse.” Once again he smiled at her, causing her knees to buckle a little bit.
True bit her lip. Maybe sheshouldtry to stop him. He was acting way too eager to devour a platter of hot wings. Just thinking about it caused an acidic taste to rise in her throat. She didn’t have a tolerance for anything spicy, never mind an entire platter of fiery chicken baked in the third circle of hell.
“They’ll be out in a few minutes,” she said in her chirpiest voice.Keep it light. Be nice.
“Thanks. By the way, I’m Xavier Stone,” he said, sounding way too friendly for her liking.
“I know who you are,” she admitted. “One of Hattie’sgrandsons, right? The football player. My little brother has had a poster of you in his bedroom for as long as I can remember.”
He didn’t react at all to hearing about the poster. Instead he knitted his brows together. “Well, I’m at a disadvantage. I don’t know your name,” he said.
“I’m True Everett, and I run the place.”And I know exactly why you’re here in Moose Falls, she wanted to say.You’re the guy who stands between me and owning Northern Exposure.But it wasn’t her place to call him out. She loved his grandmother too much to risk alienating her. Hattie Stone was a good friend, and it was her most fervent wish to reunite with her grandson. True had the feeling that if Hattie had to pick a side between the two of them, Xavier would win hands down. Although it hurt to admit that fact, True knew the importance of family. Even though she’d tried to create one for her little brother, Jaylen, after the death of their parents, True always felt she was failing miserably.
“Nice to meet you, True.”
She slid his ciders across the bar and watched as they landed right in front of him. Her movements were graceful and fast. For some reason it always made her feel accomplished. Even though she was the tavern’s manager, True prided herself on being a jack-of-all-trades.
True had a vague recollection of the Stone brothers from childhood. The middle brother, Caleb, had been in her class for a few years. Clearly Xavier didn’t remember her, although she couldn’t really blame him. He hadn’t lived in Moose Falls for decades. Maybe at some later juncture she would remind him.
Xavier jerked his thumb in the direction of the dining area, then picked up his drinks. “I’m going to go grab that table before someone else scoops it up.”
True watched him as he walked away from the bar. He looked just as yummy from this angle as he had approaching her. Not many men possessed that skill.Have mercy!Miss Hattie’s grandson had brought his A game to Moose Falls. He was definitely sending out main-character vibes.
Bonnie Walker, her co-worker and close friend, sidled up to her and said, “Take a picture. It’ll last longer.” With a peaches-and-cream complexion, freckles, and a mane of dark red hair, Bonnie was adorable.
True playfully swatted her friend. “You have to admit he sure is nice to look at.”
Bonnie chuckled. “I’m surprised you’re saying it out loud considering the way you’ve been carrying on about his impending arrival in town.” Bonnie looked around. “By the way, where are his brothers?”
True shrugged. “No clue.” She’d also wondered about the whereabouts of the Stone brothers, but Xavier hadn’t mentioned them. So she hadn’t either. “I need to put his food order in. Can you bring him some fresh bread while he waits?”
“My pleasure,” Bonnie said with a wink. “Something tells me he’ll look even better up close. Maybe I’ll take a picture.” She wiggled her eyebrows, earning her a chuckle from True.
At least she could laugh about the situation, True realized. That was progress. For months she’d stewed about Hattie’s grandsons coming to Moose Falls and the fact they were set to inherit Yukon Cider and all her other holdings, including Northern Exposure. True didn’t like feeling helpless, but she wasn’t in the driver’s seat in this situation. Xavier and his brothers held her fate in their hands. She was at their mercy.
A short while later, Petie, one of her servers, came out of the kitchen with the platter of chicken wings and a smallcarton of milk in his hands. “I’ll take those,” True said, reaching for the items. She turned around and walked them over to Xavier. His face lit up as soon as he spotted her.
