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“There’s even ice crystals on the top. Damn.” He took the last sip and popped a blue cheese olive into his mouth.
She asked him, “Do you want a roadie?”
He nodded. “Hell yes.”
She laughed and looked at me. “I don’t even have to ask you. I already know your answer.”
As she began making our drinks, I said to Grayson, “I’m all ready to go.”
He nodded toward the small bag that hung on my shoulder. “That’s all you’re bringing?”
Since Sloane was listening, I giggled and replied, “I plan on sleeping naked. That certainly doesn’t require me to pack a lot.”
“Fuck me,” he moaned. He stood and took out his wallet. “What do I owe you, Sloane?”
“You’re kidding, right?” She placed two to-go cups on the bar top. “Just be good to my girl and you’ll never pay for anything while you’re here. But shhh”—she held her finger against her lips—“don’t tell Nate I said that. That’s not very entrepreneurial of me.”
“I won’t say a word.” Grayson smiled.
I grabbed both cups when she was done and met Grayson on the other side of the bar. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said to Sloane and waved.
“Have fun tonight, you two.”
I waited until we were outside before I said, “I can’t believe you talked to Nate for her. That was beyond sweet of you.” That wasn’t enough. I had to say more. I had to make him understand how big of a deal this was. “You have no idea how much that means to her ... and me. Thank you.”
He took the bag from my arm and held it while we walked, an act that completely took me off guard, but one that caused me to grin.
“You thought I was bullshitting when I first made her that offer?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what I thought.”
“When it comes to business, I don’t fuck around, Jovana.”
“That only happens in your personal life, right?”
“Whoa, another dig.”
I supposed it was.
I didn’t mean for it to be. I just meant to point out the difference between his two sides.
“I’m sorry. That came out all wrong, but still, you didn’t deserve that.”
We said nothing for a few more steps until he broke the silence. “When she talked about buying the bar, I recognized her expression. It’s the same one Easton, Holden, and I had when we wanted to start the app and had no money to fund it. It’s the worst feeling. You don’t know what the fuck to do, you just know you want it and you’re helpless on how to make it happen.” He adjusted the strap on his arm, and we slowed at the crosswalk. “Every time I come here with my buddies, Sloane’s working. You know what that tells me?”
I looked up at him. “That she works her ass off?”
“Exactly.” He nodded. “She’ll make it one of the most successful bars in the Back Bay. And if you promote her, there’ll be a line out the door.”
I gently pushed his empty shoulder. “Is that another compliment?”
“I told you, I’m on my best behavior.”
But I didn’t understand why.
Whether he was nice or a raging dick, I still had to be here. I still had to go on dates with him.
I still had to stay the night at his condo.
