In the Venn diagram of Kirby Falls, our circles didn’t touch.
She was in the same category as all off-limits women. She was married, and I didn’t fuck around with that.
I considered her for a long moment. “I know who you are. You’re one of the Clarks. You’re just not one of the farming ones.”
She shook her head in a way that said she was very disappointed in her student. “And you’re still a lone wolf.”
Bonnie cupped her hands again and made to howl, but I pressed my finger against her lips, fighting a smile.
God, she was hammered.
“Can you call someone to pick you up?” I asked. “Where’s your husband?” Then I winced, remembering what Kayla had said earlier.
Bonnie leaned away from my finger, gaze and voice going frosty. “I don’t have one of those anymore.”
I was not touching that with a fucking barge-pole. “How about we call Will or your sister?”
“No, thank you,” she replied primly as her blinks grew slower. “I’m here to celebrate. I am officially divorced and I’m going home with someone.”
Then her eyes closed and her head drooped fully into her hand. Her elbow slid along the smooth surface of the bar until she was slumped over, breathing deeply.
I shook my head. Passed-out Princess Barbie wasn’t going anywhere.
“Kayla,” I called, keeping my gaze on Bonnie to make sure she didn’t fall off her stool, “can you get ahold of someone to come get her?”
My bartender answered, cocktail shaker in hand, “I already tried calling Larry but she’s out on a date. Mac is not answering. I don’t have Will’s number. And I’m not trying her parents. This will be embarrassing enough in the morning. And Sasha and I are closing tonight. You should just take her home.”
I stared at her incredulously. “Me?”
Kayla strained the alcohol into a glass, added a curl of lemon peel, and then delivered it to the woman in front of her before coming to my side. Speaking quietly she informed me, “I heard she moved out of her grandparents’ house over at the farm. So I don’t actually know where she’s staying. Danny kicked her out when he said he wanted a divorce.”
I blew out a breath. Jesus, what a prince.
Kayla and I watched as Bonnie’s mouth dropped open, emitting a small snore.
I reached forward and shook her shoulder. “Hey, wake up.”
Kayla whacked me on the arm and walked off.
Bonnie mumbled and attempted to straighten.
“Where do you live?” I asked.
Her eyes drifted closed again. “Stranger danger. I can’t tell you.”
I placed my hands on my hips as frustration mounted. I just wanted this townie out of my bar. Bonnie Clark was a fucking headache, right between my eyes.
I followed Kayla to the register where she was ringing in an order for deviled eggs with candied bacon. “I’ll finish your shift. Just take her home.”
Her fingers moved across the touch screen deftly but she didn’t look away. “No, I need the tips.”
“I’ll pay you.”
Kayla side-eyed me. “Just like a man. Trying to buy your way out of your problems.” I rolled my eyes. “Besides, you have like ten minutes before she pukes all over the bar. Just take her upstairs, Jack. This isn’t that hard.”
“I don’t even know her.”
“You know her enough.” Kayla’s gaze moved over my shoulder. “Or you could let that guy take her home.”
