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His jaw clenches, making a muscle jump. “It’s frustrating.”

I keep my tone soft. “I understand.”

Trust me, I understand.

His features tense even more, and there’s a note of warning in his voice as he says, “Things might change tomorrow.”

I nod, and moving closer, I take hold of his hand and squeeze it. “I get it, Owen. I don’t expect anything from you. I just want to be there for you.”

His fingers curl around mine, and for a moment, his gaze softens on me. It’s the first time he hasn’t looked tense and like he wants to rip someone’s head off.

“Baby steps.” I give his hand another squeeze, then pull away and turn to the barback so I can check if there are any bottles I need to replace.

I feel Owen’s eyes tracking my movements, but I continue working.

I’m finally making progress with him, and the last thing I want to do is make him feel pressured. Or, at least, more stressed than he already is.

Suddenly, I feel his hand on my lower back, then he leans down and presses a kiss to the side of my head. He pauses for a moment before he whispers, “Thank you, Annie.” Then he pulls away and goes back to the kitchen.

The corner of my mouth lifts, and feeling like I’ve just been given a precious gift, my chest floods with warmth.

Harlan comes into the room and joins me behind the counter. He nudges his shoulder against mine, then whispers, “You’re good people.”

I lift an eyebrow at him. “Did you eavesdrop?”

“Of course.”

Shaking my head, I check the various bottles while Harlan makes sure the beer taps are ready.

“So, what are you going to do about Vanessa?” I ask as casually as possible.

“I don’t know.” He lets out a sigh. “She flirts with everyone except me.” Leaning his hip against the counter, he crosses his arms over his chest, his tattoos on full display. “Part of me thinks it’s because she’s interested in me, but . . .” He shrugs.

I adjust my glasses and tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear. “Have you tried talking to Vanessa or asking her on a date?”

“What if she tells me to hit the road?”

“Isn’t it worth the chance? Better to try and lose than not try at all, or something like that.”

He gives me a pensive look. “True.”

Miles walks into the room, and as he heads to the door so he can open it, he says, “Hey, Annie.”

“Hi.”

“Are you guys ready for the rush?”

Harlan slaps his hand on the counter. “As ready as we’ll ever be. Let them in, boss.”

I quickly dig a clean apron off the shelf I keep them on and tie it around my waist. As I move around the counter, Miles pushes the doors open. “Come on in, folks.”

Rick is the first to enter and makes a beeline for his usual stool.

“How’s it hanging?” Harlan asks as he pours a beer.

“A little to the left,” Rick grumbles, taking the glass and gulping down half.

When he sets the beer down and shakes his head, Harlan asks, “What’s up?”