He kept his gaze trained on her as he nodded.
“Things just got interesting,” Garrett said.
“Okay, now it’s a party,” Kelsey sang out.
As the three of them lifted their shot glasses, the heated tension buzzed between him and Kelsey gaze a slight smirk right before they all slung back the alcohol.
“Woohoo,” she cheered, pumping a fist into the air.
“Drinking on the job is just something I’ve never seen you do before.” He sucked a lime into his mouth, the citrus biting at his tongue.
“Then I guess this is a new side you haven’t seen before.” She leaned in closer to him.
Garrett bobbed his head to the music, distracted by the usually attractive women in their town now even more so in his eyes with their costumes of sexy nurses and witches, Vivians fromPretty Woman, and J.Los.
“Oh, I think I’ve seen all the sides of you,” he replied, unaware of the huskiness in his voice until after the words were out.
She tilted the hat on her head to get a better look at him. “Is that so?”
“Well, you are my best friend.”
“Friend?” She laughed sarcastically. “Is that what we are?”
“More or less.” He grinned.
“Which is it? More or less?”
“What do you think?” he growled.
“Tell me more.” She leaned across the bar, her cleavage on display in the white button-down shirt turning him on.
“The Kelsey I know takes a lot of pride in this place. That’s the Kelsey I know.” And oh, hell, he was going to say it because it needed to be said and this conversation was way past due. “That’s the Kelsey I love.”
Her eyes widened, turning glassy.
He’d told her he loved her plenty of times before. They were best friends after all, and that’s what best friends did. But this time felt different. And they both knew it. This time it was like a confession hanging out on an explosive line between them.
She sniffed but smiled. “Shit, Davis, if you had given me a chance, I could’ve told you that Julian is taking over for me at ten. So I can have the rest of the night off to enjoy the party. The kids are with my in-laws tonight. They’re taking them trick or treating. I was hoping,” she dipped her chin to her chest and when she glanced back up at him, her blue eyes darkened, he sucked in a breath, as she continued, “you and I could have a drink together and maybe finish that conversation from yesterday. That overdue conversation we’ve been meaning to have.”
He didn’t know what to say, so he simply nodded.
“I’m upset about the bar, yeah. And I’m planning on drinking too much tonight. But that’s what my friends are for. You, Isabella, Maddie, Norah, and yeah, even Garrett. You’ll all keep an eye on me.”
Davis inhaled, his shoulders releasing their tension. Garrett usually had ulterior motives when it came to women, even Kelsey. He’d said it to him a few weeks ago. He’d go for Kelsey if she didn’t have kids. But maybe, tonight he’d seen a new side to Kelsey. One where she wasn’t looking for forever so her being a mom wasn’t an issue. But Garrett also had to know how Davis felt about Kelsey so he was positive he wouldn’t pursue her.
“Whatever you’re gossiping about, save it, we’re here to party and have fun,” Garrett said.
“C’mon, join us for the next shot, will you?” She tilted her head and made her way back behind the bar.
Davis watched her from a distance as she filled three shots of tequila once again and then looking at him, making eye contact. The sultry glance she gave him told him he was in trouble.
Trouble in the best way possible.
He exhaled, long and slow, before joining them.
Isabella hurried up to the bar, cutting off his path.
“Wait for me, I want in on this next one. It’s not very often I get to drink with my best friend.”
