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Red sipped his water and leaned forward to set the glass back on the bar. “Probably has something to do with the fact I own this place.”
My jaw dropped, and I almost dropped my drink. “Shut up,” I hissed.
Red chuckled. “And Angela is my sister.”
“Oh my god,” I groaned. Thank god I hadn’t let my jealousy get the best of me and been snotty or glared at Angela. Now, that would have been bad. “That is not at all what I thought you were going to say.”
Red chuckled. “I know, baby. I bought this place about ten years ago. Became a raging alcoholic, quit cold turkey, and now I reap the benefits of the drinkers without being one,” he explained.
“That’s impressive to own a bar and not drink,” I pointed out. “If I owned this place, I would swim in wine coolers.”
Red shrugged. “I’ll get you a pallet for your house.”
“Stop,” I laughed. “I drink maybe once or twice a month when Kelly comes over for dinner. I think a six-pack is more than enough for me. I was joking.” I already felt like a bit of an ass for drinking in front of Red after he told me he was sober. Though he wasn’t acting like it was a turnoff or it bothered him.
“What about you?” he asked. “What do you do?”
“Oh, uh, well, I’m a travel agent. I get to plan great vacations and have other people actually go on them,” I laughed.
“Nice, baby. That seems like a pretty cushy job.” He winked. “I mean, you’ve got time to sunbathe topless in between calls.”
“Ha, ha,” I drawled. “It is pretty nice, and yes, if I do have time, I like to get some sun.” I glanced away. “Sometimes topless.”
Red grunted but didn’t say anything.
I looked around the bar in a different light now that I knew Red owned it. It was your standard bar with a beachy theme. Hell, everywhere in Florida seemed to have a beachy theme. “I like this place,” I mused. “It feels like a bar, but not one of those bars that give off a we-don’t-want-you-here vibe.”
“Sounds like you’ve been to some shitty bars, baby. I wouldn’t have money if we acted like we didn’t want customers.”
I shrugged and sipped my drink. “Probably.”
“You got five minutes until your pickles are done,” Angela called. “You on the bike?”
“Aren’t I always?” Red asked.
Angela shook her head. “First date and you throw her on the bike.”
“I loved it,” I blurted. I turned in Red’s arms and smiled wide. “I mean, I still can’t feel my butt, but it was amazing. I’m Tara, by the way.” I knew her name since Red had told me, but she didn’t know mine.
Angela eyed me closely. “Angela,” she replied.
“Knock it off, Ang,” Red called.
Angela glanced at Red and shrugged. “I was wrong.”
“Yeah, you were,” he grunted.
I had no idea what they were talking about. Had I blacked out and missed a chunk of conversation?
“I’ll wrap up your food for the bike. Give me two minutes.” She turned on her heel and headed to the kitchen.
“Finish your drink, baby.”
I took a sip and turned back to Red. “Do I want to know what you two were talking about?”
Red shrugged. “I mentioned you to her.”
“Mentioned me how?” I questioned. God, I hoped he hadn’t told her about me being topless.
