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Ruby gave me a key when I asked because the bar is closed tonight.
I turn the key and step inside.
“Magic!” Tweetie’s voice sounds from behind us.
Rowan looks over his shoulder as a car pulls up along the curb, and my brother steps out of the building. The feeling of elation in my stomach is replaced by a lead balloon. I duck inside the building, trying to peek out through one of the windows.
“Why aren’t you coming with us tonight?” I hear my brother ask.
“He’s got regular pussy to attend to, that’s why,” Tweetie answers before Rowan can.
“I have plans, but I’ll catch you next time,” Rowan says.
“Let her come out with us and meet your new friend, Magic,” Tweetie says.
“Give him a rest,” I hear Henry, who must have joined them, say.
Rowan turns to me and ducks his head inside, frowning. I shoo at him in a gesture that says get rid of them.
“Next time,” Rowan tells them.
“This better not be how it’ll be when I move here!” Conor shouts, and I flip him off even though he can’t see me.
“Don’t call me from jail. I’m not picking your sorry asses up.” Rowan walks inside, and I shut the door, flicking the lock.
Rowan stares at me for a beat. “You’re acting weird.”
“I just didn’t want to be pulled into going out tonight.” Another lie. I’m stacking them up like my mother now. I have to tell him tonight. I have to.
“Why do you have a key to the bar? How close have you and Ruby gotten?” He follows me as I walk over to the bar.
“What can I get you?” I grab a bottle and try to flip it, almost missing it, but I grip the handle right before it crashes to the floor.
“Leigh, what’s going on?”
I pull out a glass for his vodka tonic. “I’m going to buy the bar.”
His face looks a lot like Conor’s did earlier, and my smile drops.
“You think I’m crazy?”
He shakes his head, seeming to recover. “No. I just didn’t know it was something you wanted to do.”
“I do.” I search the bottles, finding the vodka.
“Okay. Ruby didn’t pressure you though, right?” He sits on one of the stools.
“She actually made me think about it before she’d agree, but I really want to do it. I’m not going to buy it right away. She’s going to let me train under her for a bit, and then we’ll figure it out.”
He smiles at me, blue eyes twinkling. “Awesome. Congratulations then.”
“Really?”
He chuckles in that low, easy way I love. “Of course. I’m sure you’ll do great.”
My heart lifts that he so easily believes in me. That he thinks I can do this. “You’re my first customer, so I’m going to make you your favorite drink.”
I pick up the vodka and tip it to pour it into his glass, but his hand covers the rim, and I straighten the bottle, staring at him.
