Because whether he admitted it aloud or not, he was nervous.
Not about the date.
Not even about seeing Johanna.
He was nervous about what happened after that.
About looking into her eyes and seeing nothing, discovering she'd finally stopped loving him, and realizing he'd waited too long.
And worst of all...
About what would happen if she looked at him the same way she used to.
Because this time, he wasn't sure he'd be strong enough to walk away.
* * *
By three o’clock, the firefighters had migrated to Spanky’s Bar & Grill like they always did after their shift. The familiar scent of beer, wings, and grease wrapped around Blaze the second he stepped through the doors of the crowded bar andgrill.
Monday afternoons at Spanky’s carried a different energy than weekends.
More locals, laughter, and firefighter. Televisions blared sports commentary overhead while servers moved quickly between crowded tables carrying loaded fry baskets and colorful cocktails.
Exposed brick walls glowed beneath amber lighting while old-school R&B floated through overhead speakers.
Spanky’s wasn’t just a bar in Sheraton Beach. It was practically community property.
And MacKenzie Young ruled it accordingly.
“Look what the ocean dragged in,” MacKenzie called from behind the bar.
Blaze grinned despite himself. “You got anything stronger than beer?”
“After the weekend you had?” She grabbed a glass. “Absolutely.”
Ryan slid onto the stool beside him while Michael immediately started flirting with one of the servers.
Business as usual.
Seven months pregnant and due in April, MacKenzie moved with the confident efficiency of someone who refused to let an impending due date slow her down. One hand automatically settled beneath the curve of her round belly as she reached for a bottle of bourbon. The little boy growing inside her chose that moment to kick, earning a quiet sigh and an affectionate rub from his mother.
“Your son is already causing trouble,” Ryan observed.
“He gets that from his father,” MacKenzie shot back without missing a beat.
A few nearby patrons laughed.
MacKenzie poured the bourbon, set the glass in front ofBlaze, then leaned against the bar, one hand resting protectively over her baby bump.
“So…”
Blaze groaned instantly. “Not you.”
“Oh, absolutely me too.” She smirked. “The whole town has been waiting for you two to get it together since Obama was in office.”
Ryan nearly spit out his drink laughing.
Blaze pointed at her. “I came here for peace.”
