Page 36 of The Bartender Special

Or maybe he just really needs money for his failing bar, Benny. Play the part and get the publicity since none of us here will actually get a bank loan.

As if Jack heard the quick internal exchange, his gaze slid over to Benny’s.

Heat ran up his neck in an instant.

It was only good fate that the next conversational thread was given to Jack instead.

“You know, Jack, I was surprised to hear that you two are together,” Ruby said, cutting off whatever Arnesha had opened her mouth to finally say. She had lipstick on her teeth. It reminded Benny of a shark mid-feed. “I mean, you know, considering.”

Jack’s eyebrow arched. His smile stayed smooth.

“Considering what?”

Ruby, a woman Benny's mom would have called bitter as a cup of tea without a drop of sugar in it, seemed eager to answer. She even leaned in a bit for the effort.

“Oh, considering the whole Felicity thing.” She shrugged. “You know, I heard you were absolutely devoted to her and, now, I see that maybe that’s just who you are when you’re dating someone, Jack. You and Felicity were together—what?—three years? And now you’re giving Benny just as much attention. It’s honestly so admirable.”

Like the hand that slapped Jack’s ass, Benny couldn’t control his sitcom-style spit-take.

Jack and Felicity?

No.

Hell, no.

Ruby had to be mistaken because there was no way that Jack and the Felicity had even talked, let alone been together for years. Plus, surely if Jack was in love with Felicity, the last place he'd want to be was sitting across from her and her new fiancé. And, if so, surely, he would have brought it up.

Surely, he would have⁠—

Benny looked at Jack, waiting for him to be just as smooth with a shut down as he had been with his smiles all morning.

Instead, Benny’s thoughts stuttered to a stop.

Jack had gone tight-lipped with an obvious side of grumpy.

That’s why he’s doing this.

They weren’t fake dating to help Benny or the bar. It was because of Felicity.

Nice, my ass.

Benny could hear Ruby take in a breath, no doubt gearing up to press on the crack in their armor she'd just found, when movement made them all look outside the greenhouse.

Carol and her sun hat were walking around the fountain. In tow?

The newly engaged couple that had just overtaken their conversation.

They were smiling and happy and perfect.

Benny eyed the nearest exit, just over their shoulder.

Antarctica was looking really good right about now.

SEVEN

Well, hot damn if a lot of things didn't go wrong, right, and confusing all at once.

Benny nearly choked to death on his sweet tea.