Page 8

I become hyperaware of his hands resting on the worn table, his fingers loosely intertwined. Veins snake beneath his skin, all the way up his muscled biceps. The black T-shirt he’s wearing fits him like a second skin.

By the time I set the bottle down on the table, I feel utterly overwhelmed by the mere presence of our new bartender.

“Hi, again.” My voice is a little high pitched, and when I let out an awkward chuckle, heat spreads up my neck to my face.

“Hi.” I can’t read his expression, and the single word sounds clipped.

Not wanting to make a nuisance of myself, I quickly add, “Just wave me down if you want to order something to eat.”

As I begin to turn around, his deep and rough voice stops me. “I’m Owen Casey.” My gaze darts to his way-too-handsome face, and the instant our eyes lock, more heat spreads up my neck. “It’s nice to meet you, Annie.”

The corners of my mouth tip up, and I can’t help but feel happy because he’s talking to me.

The last time I had this kind of reaction to a guy was my senior year when Asher, the quarterback I was madly in love with, asked me to do his homework. I did it with the biggest smile on my face, only too happy that he’d spoken to me.

As I stare at Owen, I pick up on a mysterious air around him, but then my attention is drawn away from him when Miles calls out, “Order for booth three, Annie.”

I hurry to the counter and grab the tray, giving Miles a grin before I continue working. Every few seconds, I find myself stealing a glance at Owen, and the instant he looks at me and lifts his hand, I dart over to his booth.

Jeez, girl. Make it more obvious that you find him hot, why don’t you?

“What can I get you?” I ask, praying my voice sounds normal.

“A grilled cheese and another bottle of water, please.”

Is it my imagination, or does his voice carry a slight growl?

I take the order to the kitchen before I gather all the empty glasses.

When there’s a lull, I grab another bottle of water for Owen and wait by the pass-through for his order. The second Harlan finishes and the plate touches the strip of wood between us, I pick it up and head to the corner booth.

Once again, my heart beats a little faster, and my stomach dips before it flutters.

I set the plate and water down on the table, and when I try to give him my usual bright smile, it feels tense. “Anything else?”

Owen shakes his head as his light blue gaze meets mine. “No, thanks.”

He glances over the room again before settling his attention back on me. There’s a dangerous look in his eyes, but it’s only for a couple of seconds, and I wonder if I imagined it.

Yeah, he definitely has a husky slash wolf vibe.

Even though I’m curious about him, I don’t hang around but instead go to the kitchen to see if Harlan needs help with the dirty dishes and glasses.

When the door swings shut behind me, Harlan glances over his shoulder from where he’s loading plates into the high-temperature dishwasher. “How are things out there?”

“Quiet,” I answer. “I’ll carry on with the dishes so you can take out the trash.”

“Thanks.”

While I load the plates and glasses, I think about our new bartender, and when I shut the door and press the start button, it hits me that Owen might live in the apartment beside mine.

Damn, he could be married for all I know.

Too curious for my own good, I leave the kitchen, and resting my forearms on the counter, I give Miles one of my cutest smiles.

He glances at me, then shakes his head. “What do you want now?”

“Nothing.” I look over my shoulder, and catching Owen staring at me, my pulse speeds up from the intense expression on his face.