“How come you didn’t tell me you were dating again?” Casey asks, grinning.
Shep takes a step back, a faint blush creeping over his cheeks. “I’m not. This is my friend Noelle.” He refuses to meet my eyes as he introduces me.
His friend?
My stomach drops, stung by his offhanded delivery. What just happened felt beyond friendly. If we’d had a few moreseconds, he would have had his tongue buried in my mouth again.
I extend my hand toward Casey, plastering a smile on my face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He accepts my handshake. “Not from around these parts, huh?”
“What gave me away?”
“Local folks aren’t so polite, and only tourists show up to the honky-tonk in fancy dresses.”
Shep grunts, shooting daggers at where my hand still rests in Casey’s. First he friend-zones me, then gets his feathers ruffled when hismarriedfriend is nothing but courteous?
A man approaches Casey, handing him a beer. “One cold IPA, nice and chilled.” He has on a leather vest and a bolo tie, the same uniform I’ve seen the servers wear.
“Thanks, Jake.” Casey takes a swig, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Just what I needed to get through tonight.”
Shep folds his arms across his broad chest with a raised brow. “Drinking on the clock again, are we?”
“It’s the price of leaving me in charge. Call it compensation for handling all the heavy lifting for the past decade,” Casey says, unapologetically.
“That’s what your salary is for,” Shep replies.
Casey rocks back on his boots, swirling the drink in his hand.
“You want a cold one, boss?” Jake asks Shep. “Or what about your girl? The specialty drink tonight is the Bootylicious Blitzen. It’s a mix of bourbon, peppermint schnapps, and a splash of cream.”
“Sounds delicious,” I say, resisting the urge to bite my lip.
“Sure is, sugar.” He grins. “But I’m gonna need to see some ID. Surprised the boss is stepping out with someone so young. He’s easy on the eyes, but these days he creaks when he stands and has more silver than black on top.”
I tip my head back, laughing. Shep, meanwhile, stands there with a scowl set like stone.
“You’re fired,” he grits out.
Jake smirks, completely unfazed. “Relax, boss. I’m only messing with you. Besides, you can’t cut me loose. Casey wouldn’t last a day without me. I’m his right-hand man and the one keeping morale up around here.”
Casey shrugs, tipping his beer to Jake. “Can’t argue with that. Gotta hand it to the kid for saying out loud what we’re all thinking. You’re basically our resident senior citizen. You do love a good early-bird special.”
“You’re only two years younger than me,” Shep grumbles, and we all erupt into another round of laughter.
“Guess I’m aging like fine wine. We can’t all be that lucky,” Casey taunts, playfully slugging Shep’s arm.
Watching someone else rib him is oddly satisfying. He may appear indifferent, but it’s all bark and no bite. If he really had a problem, he’d be far grumpier. I like that his employees are his friends and not afraid to roast him while still having his back.
“What’s the verdict on ordering that Bootylicious Blitzen?” Jake asks me, wiggling his brow.
“How about a soda instead?” Shep suggests. “She’s still healing from a twisted ankle, and I’d rather not risk her falling again. We don’t need any setbacks.”
“We’re at a bar, not an obstacle course. What’s she gonna trip over, a beer bottle?” Jake snickers, earning a sharp glare from Shep.
“Don’t you have work to do?” he snaps.
“Aye aye, boss,” Jake says, giving an exaggerated salute before strolling to the bar.
