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My former boss frowns down at me.
Way too serious. Way too grumpy. Way too familiar.
I should be embarrassed over the predicament I find myself in. But as I stare up into Nolan’s face, I don’t even care.
I’m so grateful to see him. So grateful that he came to pick me up. So grateful to be home.
And I can’t help the major grin that breaks out across my face. Because for the first time in forever, I feel like myself again.
I bite down on my lip to keep my smile under control. “Hey, Boss Man.”
3
NOLAN
Ican barely get my hands to stop shaking as I help Inez with her suitcase. I force myself to pry my eyes off her just long enough to haul the bag into the trunk of my car.
I’m afraid that she’s nothing but a figment of my imagination. That I’m just dreaming.Inez is really here? Here in Starlight Falls?
She’s struggling with the car door and I hustle around to the passenger side to get it open for her. Because you kind of have to jimmy and wiggle the old handle to get it to open up right.
“Thank you.” Her almond-shaped crystal blue eyes flick up to mine and I almost trip over my feet. So damn pretty, this girl.
When I pulled up a few minutes ago and saw her wearing that dress—that wedding dress—something punched me straight in the gut. A part of me expected to find a big shiny rock on her finger to match. But the ring wasn’t there…
There’s no diamond ring on her finger. No love-stricken groom by her side. No TV cameras chasing her away from the train station.
And I don’t know what to make of any of this.
Inez tries to climb inside the car. But her dress is so big and so poofy, it takes all four of our hands to stuff and fold and push the many layers of material into the front seat.
Even after all that, the battle against that wedding dress isn’t over just yet. Next, I struggle to strap her in with the seatbelt. I’m barely able to get the door closed. It takes two firm swings of the door to get the thing latched properly.
Then finally, my passenger is tucked inside.
Holy hell—how’s she been getting by all day in this getup? Just two minutes of dealing with this dress, and I’m already exhausted.
Wiping sweat from my brow, I jog around to the driver’s side and collapse behind the wheel in a breathless huff. I start up the car.
Inez glances across the console, briefly making eye contact. “Thank you. I…I’m not sure I said ‘thank you’ yet.” She smiles at me again.
“You did,” I assure her.
“Well, thanks so much.” And she smiles some more.
At this point, it’s clear that she’s only smiling to hide the pain. Or the embarrassment. Or both.
Before I can get a word in, she promptly gets the conversation going. “So…how are things at the bar? You must have been pretty busy over there tonight. Weekend rush and all.” She rambles merrily.
“Yeah, it was pretty busy.”
She flinches. “Sorry to take you away in the middle of the rush. Did you have anyone to cover for you? The new employees have everything under control?”
“I have a six-person staff working tonight. Plus, my siblings are all there right now.” Either they’ll figure it out while I’m gone or the place will be a heap of ash when I return. One or the other. Right now, the bar is the least of my concerns.
“Let me guess—you left Ronan in charge? I’d bet he’s enjoying bossing everyone around while you’re out.” She forces a laugh.
So this is what we’re doing right now? Making small talk? Really? Are we gonna discuss the weather next?
