I let a grin spread. “In thirty seconds, I had my solution. She helped me build him. Name, job, backstory. Said he worked nights, was charming, but had a hot temper. Then she told me to drop it casually into conversation with the red flag. Not like a threat, but a warning. So the next time this guy shows up, I’m all sweet smiles and ready with my explanation. I said my boyfriend wanted to meet him. He hated when people hung around me like this. That he got weird about it.”
If only such a guy existed. I could take care of myself, but I had a little pang at missing having someone care about me in that way.
I continued, eyeing Dixie. “But your advice wasn’t done. Do you remember what you said?”
On Tyler’s lap, she squinted. “The scary text?”
“Bingo. She told me to pretend to get a message while he was there, look terrified, and say that he was coming, and that the guy should leave for his own sake.” I took another sip, still smirking. “Man practically tripped over himself getting out the door. He didn’t come back for ages. And when he finally did, he kept looking over his shoulder like someone was about to jump him.”
I lifted my glass toward Dixie. “The best part? There was no boyfriend. Just solid advice and a very convincing performance.”
She chinked cocktails with me.
The group laughed, and inside, I freaking glowed.
When my glass was drained, Arran did as Dixie warned. He called time, and weary feet took to the exits.
I slipped back to my bar and wiped it down. Got the last bag of rubbish ready to take out to the bins.
A guy sat at the end of my countertop, nursing a beer. Non-alcoholic, from the label.
He was pretty. A little older than me, black hair tied back, inkwork on his neck. What was that, a dagger? Hoo boy, that was hot. I’d seen him around once or twice but didn’t know his name.
He caught me staring. “Molly, right?”
Don’t flirt, don’t flirt.
“And you are?”
“Ash. I’m your ride home. Ready to go?”
“Bold of you to assume I’m going home.”
His eyes gleamed in interest. “Then I guess I’ll be following you until you do.”
Damn. I had to get into a car with him. I might spontaneously combust from the proximity. I also had to be ultra careful with the escort the crew insisted on for staff working nights, not letting them see exactly where I lived. They needed me to be safe, I needed to mind my business.
There was too much to lose if anyone got too close.
I gestured to the rubbish bag. “I’ll take this out then I’m done.”
“I’d help, but I’m currently operating at fifty percent.”
I rounded the bar and saw what he meant. Ash had a plaster cast on one leg, his jeans torn open to accommodate it.
I widened my eyes. “How did you do that?”
“Lost a fight with a table.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You’re telling me furniture won?”
“It was marble. Came out of nowhere.”
“Who knew Deadwater had such a problem with violent, unpredictable tables. Big issue in the city.”
His lips curved. Bright eyes, a mouth that fell into a devastatingly attractive smirk. A heated look that eased over me, taking in my cropped crew t-shirt. My black shorts and bare legs.
Nope. I had to shut down that attraction fast.
