Page 11

“What can I get you guys?” I ask when I reach the booth.

“New girl?” a blonde woman asks with a friendly smile.

“That obvious?” I laugh.

“Hartwell’s too small not to notice a newcomer,” she explains. “I’m Mallory. This is Logan, Knox and Dean.”

She points around the table as she introduces everyone. Logan is sitting beside her, Knox is directly across from him and Dean is closest to me.

Dean.

So, Mystery Man has a name.

“I’m Blair,” I tell them. “I moved into town yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” Logan repeats, leaning forward. “And Bill already has you working?”

“What can I say?” I grin. “He saw natural talent.”

From behind the bar, Bill lets out a loud laugh.

“I saw ten years of experience on her resume!” he calls across the room.

The table laughs, and I place a hand against my chest. “Wow, Bill. You could’ve let me have that.”

“You’ll learn quickly,” Mallory says, smiling up at me. “Privacy doesn’t exist here.”

Something tightens in my stomach, but I keep my smile in place.

“So I’m beginning to realize.”

“Well, if you ever need a tour, Georgie and I are your girls,” Mallory offers.

“Thanks. I might take you up on that.”

“You should,” Knox adds, leaning back in the booth. “Just don’t let them take you shopping together. You’ll need a second job to recover.”

Mallory flicks a coaster at him. Knox catches it before it hits his face, looking far too pleased with himself.

“Anything to drink?” I ask, lifting my pen over my order pad.

“Another beer,” Logan answers.

“Same,” Knox adds, sliding his empty bottle toward me.

“Vodka soda for me, please,” Mallory says.

I turn toward Dean. “And you?”

His gaze meets mine again. Up close, his eyes are even more intense. Dark, guarded and fixed entirely on me.

“Just another pale ale,” he replies.

His voice is like warm whiskey—rough around the edges, but somehow comforting.

Jesus Christ.

“Coming right up,” I say before turning away.