“It’s bad-ass. Very celebratory.”
“You don’t think it’s inappropriate, or that I should change into something that conceals my tattoo and covers my back?”
“No way. It should be a crime to cover that up.”
Stop being perfect if you’re not for me.
Silence fell between us, and I grasped for a change in topic. I didn’t want to think about my life, so it was time to turn the spotlight on him.
I clapped my hands together.
“You should come to the bar tonight. It won’t be as busy as Friday or Saturday nights, but it’s still a fun time.”
“I’m not really a bar hopping kind of guy.”
“We only have the one bar, so there won’t be any hopping. Unless it’s bed-hopping, but I should warn you—“
“Not interested.”
“Good luck with that. The women of Sierra Rose Ridge are thirsty, desperate, and voracious.”
“Does that include you?”
My heart skipped, but I played it off with a smirk.
“Obviously I was desperate. Look what I ended up with. On that note, I’ve got to get to work before Neil sticks me with the Boomers again.”
“Okay, I’ll be back to pick you up tonight.”
“I can get a ride with Neil.”
“I’ll be back to pick you up tonight.”
“Fine, fine,” I said with a pleased smile “I’ll see you tonight.”
Tonight was off to a great start.
“That shirt makes you look like you’re open for business. Is that why you’re avoiding me? You’re sleeping around and thought I wouldn’t find out if you didn’t come home? I knew it.”
My back teeth ground, and I fought the urge to leap across the bar and beat his ass. I wouldn’t spend one more minute pretending I still liked him. Maybe it was better to do this here when there were people around. It wasn’t crowded, but there was enough of an audience he’d keep his cool. Hopefully.
“We should break up, Beau.”
I moved around the bar to be closer to him, but maybe that was a mistake.
“What are you talking about, Dani?” he sneered. “Don’t be stupid. Is it that time of the month? You always get overly emotional then.”
White hot anger burst through me, but I restrained myself. An attempted-murder charge wouldn’t look good when I took this piece of shit to court to get my money back. Shayla cautioned me to string him along as long as possible, but my sanity was more important than continuing the charade.
“I want to break up,” I said in a calm voice that carried to those seated nearby.
Beau’s eyes flashed, and his face underwent a quick succession of expressions, ranging from shock to horror to hatred. He settled on disgust.
I backed up a few paces. His expression made me wary, and I wanted more space between us. With a quick glance around, I sought Neil but didn’t see him. He’d be close, though; he always hovered these days when Beau was around.
“I should have known. If I wasn’t here, would you have broken up with me before you moved on, or are you already fucking half the bar?” Hesnapped his fingers. “It’s that asshole neighbor, isn’t it? I knew you were fucking him.”
“I’m not a cheater. I’ve never cheated on you with anyone, especially Jake. He’s a friend. I haven’t had sex withanyonein months,“ I hissed.
