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“Definitely too soon. Gigi wants him to move to part-time only, then retire. We just have to talk Liam here into staying indefinitely.” Quinn elbowed me, spilling a few drops of sudsy beer from my glass.
I swallowed hard over the lump in my throat. I had no idea about the future, but moving to Peachtree Grove had definitelynotbeen in the cards. My career was back in L.A. and Benji needed an answer concerning the winery project. Even if I sidelined that job and left my friends hanging, what would I do here? Sure, we were kind of close to Atlanta, but it still wasn’t an ideal career move at this stage of my life. I wanted to help out my family, but long-term I couldn’t figure how a move made sense outside of Macy.
I took a drink of beer, swallowing hard, as Macy’s eyes watched me. She didn’t give anything away with her body language, so I supposed we’d have to have a conversation. Later, without Quinn listening in.
“Hey, buddy. I heard about your Dad.” A shorter, broad dude clapped Quinn on the back, giving him a side-hug.
“Hey, LeSean. Yeah, he’s gonna be fine. Have you met my cousin, Liam?” Quinn introduced me and we exchanged head nods. Meanwhile, Macy wandered away, taking orders and topping off customers’ drinks.
“You boys want to shoot some pool?” LeSean asked, glancing over his shoulder to the back room.
“Sure,” Quinn said, easing off his stool. “Liam?”
I shook my head. “Maybe I’ll catch you next round.”
“Suit yourself,” Quinn said, smirking. He grabbed his beer and he and LeSean set off for the pool tables, leaving me alone at the bar.
Finally, I’d have a chance to connect with Macy.
I scrolled through my phone, trying to look busy while waiting for Macy to come back. Three text messages from Benji; I definitely needed to get back to him soon. Trouble was, I didn’t know what I’d say. I wanted the job, but I wanted Macy more.
“Hey.” Macy popped back into view, resting her elbows on the bar, and leaning down low. I caught a nice glimpse of her cleavage, my entire lower body going rigid.
“Hi,” I said, leaning forward as well. I ached to be close to her, but knew we should keep it professional, since she was at work and all. “How are you?”
She tucked a stray lock of blond hair behind her ear. “Good. Better now.” She blushed and my stomach flip-flopped at her words.
Better now.
“Thanks again for the flowers. They’re stunning.”
“You’re welcome. Listen—are we good?” I asked, gripping my beer tighter than necessary. “I mean, I think we are, but are you?”
Macy nodded, biting down on the corner of her lip. When she did that, all I could think about was kissing her, sliding my tongue over those full, pink lips. Moving my hands across her smooth skin.
“You ever get a break here?” I asked.
“Yeah. I can take one now. I’ll step out back, into the alley. Meet me there in two minutes.” She put her dishrag down, washing her hands really quick in the stainless-steel sink at the back of the bar, then ducked into the hall.
I downed the rest of my beer, wiping my sweaty palms down the front of my jeans, then strode toward the bathrooms, cutting a hard left towards the exit. Pushing the metal door open, cold air hit my face, jolting me. I walked quickly around the building, back to the alley. Macy was already there, leaning against the brick, her arms folded across her chest to keep warm.
I moved through the dark, the only lights the fluorescent ones overhead from the fire station and one lone street light spotlighting Macy.
“Hey,” I said, placing my hands on the brick wall on either side of her shoulders, pinning her in. Our bodies hovered mere inches away from each other, heat shimmering between us. Macy’s breathing quickened and my pulse picked up. She smelled like peanuts and citrus, a strange, albeit not unpleasant, combo.
“Hi,” she whispered, her breath warm on my face.
“I thought about you all day,” I said, inching closer, her chest now pressed up against mine.
“Good things, I hope?” she said, teasing her bottom lip, acting as if she was worried about what I’d been thinking.
“Depends on how you define good, I guess. Some of the thoughts might have been more on the R-rated side of things.”
She laughed and I took the initiative, dropping my lips onto hers. She kissed me back, hard and deep, and I knew I hadn’t misread the situation.
“Was this what you were thinking about?” she murmured into my open mouth.
I nodded. “And more. Come over tonight, after work. Please.” I broke away, staring down into her eyes, tiny golden flecks gleaming in the moonlight.
