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A mocking smile dances across Mason’s face. “Is that so, young man? You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Inez restrains a giggle and lightly bumps her hip into mine. “I don’t need him micromanaging me. And I definitely don’t need his bad attitude fucking up my tips tonight.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll keep an eye on him,” Felix promises.
Mason shrugs, pushing an empty chair in my direction. “I don’t mind playing babysitter. Karli kicked me out of the house so she could study tonight. We’re married now, by the way.” He grins.
“My night is wide open,” Felix tosses in resentfully. “Daphne’s participating in some fashion webinar panel thing.” Then his entire face brightens up. “Daphne and I are engaged, in case you haven’t heard.”
Inez’s eyes bulge. “No way! Congratulations to the both of you! Gosh—I have so much gossip to catch up on!” She quickly peeks in the direction of the bar where a handful of patrons now wait to be served. She takes a few steps backward, away from the table. “Anyway, have a good night, guys. And don’t let Boss Man out of your sight.”
I’m ready to turn around and stomp right back to work. Fuck this bullshit. This is my bar. Inez is my employee. She doesn’t get to tell me what to do.
But an icy-hot tingle races through my body when I suddenly feel Inez pressed up behind me. She lifts onto her tiptoes, her soft, round breasts crushed against my shoulder blades. Her breath tickles the back of my ear. “Go. Take a break, Nolan. You deserve one.” She chuckles softly. “Teamwork makes the dream work. I’ve got it covered. I’ve got your back.”
And just as suddenly, she’s gone.
Before my body can recover, Felix yanks me down into the empty chair beside him. That’s how I end up at this table on the far side of the tavern, nursing a cold beer and glaring at this sassy little bartender who’s taken over my bar.
Soon, Archer and Darius show up. Without waiting to be asked, Inez sends over a round of their favorite drinks, and I sit here, absently listening to the guys complain about their usual nonsense.
“My newest assistant quit after two days on the job,” Darius laments. “And she stole my favorite stapler on the way out…”
“I need to figure out how that deer keeps getting into my yard,” Archer gripes. “She took a dump on my front mat again…”
Blah, blah, blah…
When Ronan strolls into the bar and joins us a while later, his gaze darts straight to me. “What’s going on with you?” my twin brother asks, a note of concern in his voice. “Is something wrong? Are you sick?”
I scowl and sip from my beer. “Huh?”
“You’re over here. Sitting. Drinking. Not running around like the bar is on fire.” Ronan’s arms flail about. “Are you okay?”
That’s when I realize that, for the first time in months, I am sitting my ass down, taking a damn break. I haven’t been able to do this on a Saturday night in ages.Dare I say, it’s…relaxing.
I feel like a monumental weight has been lifted off my shoulders for the first time since forever. And it’s all because Inez is here.
Damn—it’s good to have her back.
Not just because she’s a hard worker and a kick-ass employee, but because she’s a fucking sweetheart. She cares about more than just her paycheck. She cares about my wellbeing. Even when I sometimes forget to care about myself.
I steal another one of Archer’s French fries off his plate, and watch from a distance as Inez does her thing behind the counter. She’s all smiles, slinging drinks, serving customers, and managing the rest of the staff.
For once, everything is running smoothly and I’m not pulling my hair out.I can’t help but smile as I stare at her from all the way over here.
“I think he missed her more than all the regulars did,” Felix quips, kicking me under the table.
When I turn, I see that Ronan, Archer, Darius, Felix and Mason are all staring at me—while I’ve been staring at Inez.
“Nonsense,” I mutter, shaking my head.
Archer chuckles gruffly. “You’re not convincing anyone, bro.”
I groan, trying to avoid looking in Inez’s direction again. But it’s pointless. I can’t keep my eyes off her. I constantly feel the need to assure myself that she’s really here. “Shut up. All of you. You don’t get it. These last few months have been hell, and I’m just relieved that my best employee is back.”
Ronan jams his elbow into my ribs. “All right, Noles…let’s cut the crap. Your Inez came back to you. She left that douchebag at the altar and came back home.” He tilts his head to the side. “So, are we cooking up a game plan for you to finally seal the deal with your woman, or what?”
Felix throws an arm along the back of his chair, nodding. “Yeah. Now would be the perfect time to make your move.”
