Looking over my shoulder, I thanked Kinsley as I trotted after my five-year-old.
“That was super sweet,” Brigette remarked before we crossed over the threshold to Emma’s classroom.
We chatted with her new teacher for a bit, found her cubby, and met some of her classmates, then all too quickly it was the time I had been dreading the most. I didn’t want to leave Emma. I wanted to plant myself outside her classroom and wait for her all day, but I bent down, gave her a long hug, and said my goodbyes.
All I got in response was a quick wave before Emma took her seat next to a short boy with golden curls.
“I’m not ready.” I sniffled, standing in the corner of the room.
“It’s part of the reason I wanted to come today. You shouldn’t have to do this on your own,” Brigette whispered, putting a reassuring hand on my forearm.
Following her out of the classroom as slowly as I could, I grabbed her shoulder. “Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?”
The question had been gnawing at me. I had to spit it out.
“We’re a family—an unconventional one, I’ll admit, but a family nevertheless.”
* * *
“Wyatt?”I called over the counter at the garage.
“Yeah?” he hollered back before making his way out to me from the office.
“Ishehere?” I whispered, glancing around for my former boss.
My brother shook his head. “Ain’t coming back either.”
I let out a sigh of relief. I knew better than to ask, but I really wanted to know what had happened to Luke. I swallowed my questions and dove into why I was showing my face at the garage. “Can I get my paycheck?”
Wyatt grabbed the checkbook from under the counter, thumbing through it for my measly payout for the few days I’d been employed there.
“How do you feel about bartending?” Wyatt asked, handing me the slip of paper.
“Beggars can’t be choosers, I guess.” I shrugged, shoving the check into the back pocket of my jeans.
“Some of the guys just bought the Red Crow and they are looking for people.” Wyatt leaned on his elbow, awaiting my reply.
Tapping my finger on my lips, I let the prospect rattle around in my brain. “Do you really think it is a good idea for me to work with your friends again, Wy?”
He let out a hearty chuckle. “I’d rather you work there where I know you’re safe than some dive diner off of the highway.”
Touché.
I smirked. “An interview never hurt anyone, right?”
“That’s the spirit. Jett is expecting you.”
Chapter 6
Jett
“Jett, visitor.” Maccon tapped on the door of the office I had locked myself in to try to get the paperwork finally finished before Katherine chewed me out about it again.
“Coming.”
Walking out into the bar, I was struck with something I had never felt before. Right when I saw the woman standing at the far end of the wooden bar top, it felt like my heart had started beating for the first time in years. It took one glimpse—one second. Her long, dark auburn curls cascading down her bare shoulders, the tight white tank top that hugged her curves perfectly, her plump red lips, her dark brown eyes, her long legs, her tight jeans making her ass look amazing—none of that truly mattered. It was a feeling of presence. It was a wave of something…what? I didn’t know, but it was there and palpable.
“Can I help you?” I choked out, leaning on the worn mahogany next to her.
