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“Another beer, Duane?” Killian asked him.

“No, I should switch to water.”

Ricochet poured him a water. “This part of a resolution?”

“Nope, gotta get goin’ soon,” Duane said.

Mickayla dashed behind the bar with her tray and pulled out bottles of beers.

Nickel joined her, grabbing to-go cups. He looked at her and then Ricochet. “Hey, are we doin’ lunch this week? Ivy wants to know, otherwise she’s making other plans.”

Mickayla’s eyes darted to me for a split second, then she shrugged. “I can do Wednesday. Text me where you want to go, but I’m not in the mood for barbeque.”

“Bono’s it is,” Ricochet announced.

She gave him a dirty look.

I tried not to laugh.

“Miss Mickayla, you got a dress for Valentine’s like your sexy Santa dress?” Duane asked.

My eyes slid to the side and I slowly turned my head his way. “Don’t harass her.”

“It’s an innocent question,” Duane said.

Ricochet moved in front of him, blocking his view of Mickayla. “Didn’t sound innocent to me. This is your first warning, Duane. There won’t be another one. Not where she’s concerned. Pay your tab.”

Duane pulled his wallet out, his hand shaking.

Good.

Ricochet quickly ran the card and handed Duane the slips.

“I was trying to pay her a compliment.”

“You failed,” I muttered.

Duane left and Ricochet stared after him. “What the hell? Why do the people who actually live close to this place have to be such assholes?”

I laughed. “Don’t let the other customers hear you say that, man.”

He shook his head. “Yeah. I’ll get a lock on it.”

I was playing with fire, but I loved watching Mickayla work the room. She had her hair in a bun set high on her head. It made her slender neck that much more alluring and I remembered the hickey I gave her back at Christmas. I made a mental note to do that again tonight. It was still chilly out, she could wear a scarf if she needed to hide it. She ignored me as she hurried past Ricochet and to the register.

Nickel wandered behind the bar again. “I think Lark has a new girlfriend.”

“What makes you say that?” Ricochet asked.

“He’s on the phone and texting with someone constantly,” Nickel said.

“Good for him,” I muttered, and finished my second gin and tonic.

“Yeah, I hope she’s not so young this time,” Nickel said.

“Why do you think Lark has to be with a woman his own age?” Mickayla asked.

Nickel held his hands up in a defensive gesture. “I didn’t say he has to be. It just seems strange that he only spends time with women fifteen years younger than him, or more.”