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Declan threw his hands in the air. “You’re right, Clark. Idaho has some great areas for art, but I don’t think Mistletoe is one of them.”
“Make it one,” Tony said, echoing what Holly had told Declan last night, and when the entire table turned his way he elaborated. “I’m saying that we get a lot of tourists rolling through. Having a gallery featuring local area artists wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
“Maybe,” Declan said, sucking down half his coconut drink before wincing as a brain freeze seized his forehead. He closed his eyes, fighting the sharp explosion.
“Hey, look who’s here,” Pike said cheerfully.
Declan opened his eyes and followed the others’ gazes toward Holly, Merry, and a few of their friends standing just inside the door. While Merry headed straight for their table, Holly and the others hung around to talk to Sam, who seemed to have come in behind them. Holly laughed at something Sam said, leaning into the older man and giving him a lingering hug.
Declan’s grip around his glass tightened as he watched Sam run his hands over Holly’s back, traveling dangerously low and setting Declan’s teeth on edge. Telling himself that getting involved with Holly was disastrous didn’t stop him from wanting to charge across the bar and drag her away from Sam’s wandering hands like a Neanderthal.
God, he really needed to get his head on straight. This emotional roller coaster was giving him whiplash.
Pike stood up and Tony asked, “Where you going?”
“To get another round. I think Declan’s going to need it.”
Declan tossed back the remainder of the cold mixed drink and nodded. “You might be right.”
CHAPTER 23
It took everything in holly’s power not to turn to see if Declan was really watching her or if that tingle on the back of her neck was just her imagination. Merry and Delilah had rushed over to the table full of men the minute they walked in, but Tara and Sally hung back with Holly, drooling over Sam. Holly would have left them to do so, but she wasn’t quite ready to face Declan yet and sitting at the bar alone seemed a little sad and pathetic.
“Not drinking tonight, Holly?” Ricki Takini said, refilling her soda without being asked. The beautiful bartender’s long black hair was shaved on one side, with the remainder falling in loose waves around her bare right shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m in one of those moods that mixed with alcohol may be a dangerous combo.”
“I don’t know, I’ve benefited from some of your dangerous drinking experiences,” Ricki teased with a wink.
Holly’s cheeks warmed as she laughed. Though she’d dated a few women during college, she’d never gone further than a kiss before Ricki. Holly had newly returned to town and been looking for passion and fun. They’d hooked up for a few months, but while Holly hoped to find someone someday to share her life with, Ricki liked relationship fluidity and didn’t believe in monogamy. They’d parted ways on friendly terms and hadn’t crossed the line since.
“Unfortunately, it’s the kind of dangerous that might have me committing a felony.”
“Ouch. Who’s the unlucky recipient?”
“If I had to warrant a guess, my money’s on Declan Gallagher,” Sam said, placing his elbows on the bar counter top beside Holly. “Do I win?”
“You do.”
Ricki cocked her head to the side, her hair falling farther down her arm. “Why Declan?”
“He is a frustrating, loathsome jerk.”
“She keeps saying things like that, but every time with a little less conviction,” Sam said, holding his fingers up an inch apart and making Ricki laugh.
“Ah, so you think she’s thawing towards Declan and that’s why she’s in a mood tonight?”
“Ding ding.”
Holly shoved Sam with her shoulder. “She is right here and is not thawing, melting, or softening towards that grouchy man.”
“All those words mean the same thing, sweetie,” Ricki said, dropping a cherry in Holly’s newly refilled soda.
“I know, I was just making a point. I don’t feel anything for Declan Gallagher.”
Except confusion, frustration, and lust, she thought, but no way was she admitting that out loud. Sam would have a field day.
“Sam, come dance with me,” Sally begged from his other side, yanking him off the stool.
