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Her lips tilted up in a small smile. “Didn’t think you cared, Clark.”
“No one deserves what’s been done to you. I hope you and your daughter get your fresh start.”
“Thank you.” She climbed to her feet and touched his arm briefly. “You’re a good man.”
“I’ll walk you to your car and call the motel on my way home.”
“Hey, Clark,” Nick said as he approached them, his hand held out in greeting. “What are you doing?”
Clark took Nick’s outstretched hand and shook it, noting the hard squeeze. “Just came out for a beer.”
When Nick’s gaze shifted to Patrice, she offered her hand to him. “Hi, I’m Patrice Neilson.”
“It’s nice to meet you. You from around here, Patrice?”
“I’m just passing through and thought I’d catch up with an old friend. I appreciate the offer, Clark, but I think I can make it to my car in one piece. It was nice to meet you, Nick.”
“Good to meet you.”
“I’ll be in touch later this week, Clark. Thanks again.”
“Be safe.” Clark gave Nick one of his closed-mouth smiles. “I was heading home.”
“Alone?” Nick asked.
“Back to my son and brother, but yes.”
Nick’s brown eyes bored into his. “Look, as a rule, I tend to stay out of my sisters’ dating lives, but I’m confused. You two were pretty cozy last week, am I right?”
“Yes.”
“Then who the fuck is that?” he asked gruffly.
“My son’s mother.”
Nick whistled. “Does Merry know she’s here?”
“She does.”
“All right, well, sorry to assume, man, but…she’s been through a few assholes. Noel told me you were the one who stood Merry up before, but from what I gathered, it was an emotional clusterfuck that worked itself out. Then I saw you here with her and…it wouldn’t be the first time someone fooled me.” Nick clapped Clark on the back. “Glad to know I was wrong. Come on, join us for a beer and tell us all your worldly troubles.”
“I should get home. Merry is waiting for me to tell her how it went—”
“Shoot her a text. You’ve been working for my family for months and now that you’re dating my sister, I want to get to know the kind of man you are.”
Clark followed Nick back to his table, assuming he didn’t have a choice. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted Merry.
Your brother caught me as I was leaving and wants me to stay for a drink. Will text you when I get home.
He replaced the phone as they reached the table, where Nick’s friends Pike and Anthony were waiting. He’d met them a few times at the Winters home but had only spoken to them in passing.
“Clark’s going to join us,” Nick said, taking a seat between his friends and Clark sat across from Nick. Pike leaned back in his chair, watching Clark over the rim of a martini glass covered in red sugar, sucking on a red and white straw that resembled a candy cane. He released it with a pop and an “ahhh” of satisfaction.
“Welcome. Would you like a taste of Santa’s Lap?”
“I think I’m good,” Clark said with a laugh.
“No one wants to drink after you, Pike.” Anthony held out a hand, the big man’s paw swallowing Clark’s. “How’s it going, man?”
