The tension between them was sharp. Palpable. Like it could be cut with a steak knife.
Mac stood behind the bar, arms crossed, eyes trailing over Miles with a look that could peel paint.
To redirect the energy, I tapped Miles on the shoulder and gestured toward Mac.
“And this is Mac. He owns the bar.”
Miles extended his hand.
For a brief second, Mac just stared at it before slowly taking it.
“One businessman to another,” Miles said smoothly.
“Hm.” Mac hummed, giving the barest nod.
Okay. This was goingso well.
“And you know Logan,” I added quickly, jerking my thumb to the side.
Logan gave a lazy wave from his seat. Miles didn’t return it—just offered a slight nod.
Great.
I looked to the girls for help, but they were all just staring, watching the interaction go by. I grabbed my drink, tipped it back, and drained the rest.
Then I thudded the empty glass onto the bar.
“Another one, please,” I said, raising a finger.
With time, thetension faded, and conversation flowed more naturally.
The guys asked Miles about the progress on his restaurant, while the girls peppered him with questions about his life in the city.
He shared that he’d been a chef since he was eighteen, graduating from culinary school shortly after. He’d worked in a string of high-end restaurants, thanks in part to his father, a real estate broker with wealthy friends in all the right places who’d helped open doors for him.
I liked hearing more about him.
He was blending in just enough with my world that I felt okay stepping away for a bit, trusting him to hold his own while I joined the girls on the dance floor.
I leaned back slightly, tilting my head to look up at him.
“I’m going to dance,” I said, offering a smile. “You can take my seat.”
Miles returned a tight-lipped smile and gave a short nod.
Without another word, I slid off my stool and made my way toward the music, following Theo, Aspen, and Penny onto the sticky bar floor.
We formed our usual circle, shoulders brushing as we moved together with the music. We swayed to the beat, laughed, and sang loudly, sharing the space with strangers who blended into the rhythm.
As always, Penny positioned herself with her back to the bar—just so Mac could get a front-row seat to the show. She was especially on tonight, hips moving with intention, her smile coy and knowing.
Behind her, Mac leaned forward on the bar top, chin in his palm, looking like he couldn’t care less about pouring another drink. His entire focus was on her, his grin lazy and full of heat. I chuckled to myself—these two were something else.
I reached for Aspen’s hands, and we spun together, our movements syncing easily. My hips caught the beat, my chest light with laughter as she twirled me around.
I threw my head back, the rush of motion dizzying before I recentered myself.
Warm hands suddenly found my waist. I turned slightly and saw they were Penny’s.
