“I know the meetings are hell, but I didn’t see this career switch coming.”
Erin groans. “Three bartenders called in sick last minute. so here I am.” She rolls her shoulders. “Thank God I’ve got tomorrow off.”
“Must be chaos.”
“It is. But nothing I can’t handle.” Her gaze flicks past me to the girls lined up at the bar. “What can I get you guys?”
“Three Mojitos for the ladies,” I say. “Two waters, and a lemon juice for me.”
She calls the Mojito order to the guy beside her, then slides the bottles of water across the bar. I pass them back to the bodyguard who passes one to Tom and takes one for himself.
“Hold on,” she adds. “We’re out of lemon juice up here. I’ll check the fridge in the back.”
The girls cheer when their Mojitos arrive. A few minutes later, Erin returns with my lemon juice.
“How much do I owe you?”
She waves it off. “Go. This one’s on me. I’m glad you’re finally doing something fun.”
“Thanks, Erin. Enjoy your day off tomorrow.”
“Good luck with the interview,” she says. “You’re going to nail it.”
We exchange a quick cheek kiss goodbye before I head back to the group. Tom is already tugging Baby in my direction.
“Baby, I want you to meet Yosh,” he says, then he turns to me. “Yosh, this is my cousin, Joan.”
I take her hand, and for some reason I’m a little caught off guard. Wait… this is Joan McKenna? Daughter of Jay and Emily? My mind flips through the notes I made, pages turning fast. By my count, she should be in her early twenties now.
“Hi, Joan. Nice to meet you. I’m Yosh. Tom’s alternative therapist.” I lean on those last words.
When she doesn’t let go of my hand, I add with a polite smile, “And I’m not that into girls.”
“Oh my God. I’m so, so sorry.” She drops my hand instantly, gaze flicking to Tom and back.
“I usually introduce my girlies to Tom, and Tom introduces his friends to me. I just assumed…” She winces. “One of those nights, you know? I shouldn’t have.”
She drapes her arm loosely over Tom’s shoulder. “My sincere apologies.”
Tom tugs her closer. “What? You, apologizing, Baby? Did Jay threaten to drop you off at the monastery again?”
She giggles against his collarbone in a way that raises my brows . He ruffles her hair until it turns into something between eighties glam rock and cotton candy.
I wonder if my scent still lingers on his neck and if she notices.
I want her to notice.
“I’m glad you apologized to Yosh,” Tom says. “And I owe him one too.”
He looks up from the drunken girl in his arms, his fingers finding mine in secret. The way he touches me is delicate; still, it feels reassuring.
“That’s how it used to be, but not anymore.”
I’m smiling, and I know it shows. I don’t bother trying to hide how content I feel. Joan peers up from Tom's chest.
“Hey, how about we find you a cute guy instead? Tom and I are matchmaking professionals.” She punches Tom in the side. “Aren’t we?”
“Nah, Baby. Yosh doesn’t need ourSleazy and Easyservices.” The corner of his mouth lifts into a sinful smirk. “He’s already taken.”
