I shake my head, backing away from the edge I was about to step over.
This isn’t the right time.
Not here.
“What is it, Tinker?”
He studies my face like he already knows there’s something there.
“It’s nothing. Just… we’re running low on toilet paper and napkins. We should restock.”
I shrug, forcing something casual into my tone as I look away.
I can still feel his eyes on me as I walk off to serve more customers, so I focus on anything but him.
When I make my way back to the bar, I let myself glance at him.
He’s laughing with a couple of customers, head tipped slightly back, shoulders relaxed in a way I’ve only seen a few times. His arm moves as he pours a beer, muscles flexing under his sleeve, and something low in my chest tightens before I can stop it.
I have to fight the urge to close the distance.
To feel that arm settle around my shoulders, solid and sure, like it belongs there.
He’s wearing that damned white shirt again, the one that makes his broad shoulders impossible to ignore and somehow makes his tattoos look darker. More dangerous.
I turn away, reaching for a glass to clean, but my focus doesn’t stay there for long.
My gaze drifts back to him.
Like it has a mind of its own.
My fingers tighten around the glass, knuckles whitening slightly, as that same pull settles deeper under my skin, making my hands itch to touch him. To feel the heat of him beneath that shirt. To prove to myself he’s real and not something my mind made up during those long, quiet days upstairs.
Do not grow feelings for him.
My chest tightens.
Too late for that.
I look away again and force myself to focus on work.
CHAPTER 20
Alexis
It’s Saturday, and I can’t believe that just last week we were stuck in a snowstorm. Now the sun is shining outside, warm and steady, soaking into my skin like winter never had a hold on us at all. It’s almost April, and spring has come in and kicked winter out… for now, at least.
Dex is in his office, and I’m working the afternoon shift with Stephen.
“Rush hour’s finally over. You can take your lunch break if you like.” Stephen points to a table we usually use when we have our breaks.
I push a strand of hair behind my ear and shrug. “I think I’ll have lunch outside today. Get some vitamin D.”
“With your pale skin, you better put sunscreen on.” He smirks.
I wave him off and ask Gabe, the cook, to make me a tuna sandwich. Gabe winks and hands me my plate with extra fries.
“I don’t think bossman will like you handing out fries, Gabe.” I smile at him.
