Tempi’s mouth dropped open.“That was rude.”
“Accurate.”
“I own the bar,” she pointed out.
“And if we were going to recover an old-fashioned recipe, then you would be right there with us, doll,” Gramps laughed.
“And you’re staying here where you’re protected,” Twister said firmly.
She crossed her arms.“I don’t like it.”
“I know.”
“I don’t like you right now either.”
“I know that too,” Twister chuckled.
Britta looked at Goldie.“Do you want us to come?”
Goldie hesitated.
I knew the answer before she said it.She wanted them.Of course she did, but she was smart.
“No,” she said softly.“Twister’s right.If Gene says something about the permits, I may catch it.But there’s no reason for all of us to walk into whatever this is.”
Tempi’s expression softened just a little.
Britta looked annoyed, but she nodded.“Fine,” Britta said.“But if anything happens, I’m blaming all of you.”
Swift leaned down and kissed her forehead.“Fair.”
Tempi pointed at Twister.“You come back.”
His face changed.Not much, but enough.He stepped into her space and put one hand on the side of her neck.“Always.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded once.
I looked away because that felt like something I wasn’t supposed to watch.
Goldie stepped closer to me, and I looked down.“You sure?”I asked quietly.
“No.”At least she was honest.“But I need to go.”
I wanted to plant Goldie in the middle of the clubhouse and lock every door between her and the world.Instead, I reached for her hand.
She slid her fingers into mine without hesitation, and that trust hit harder than any argument could have.
“Then you stay close,” I said.
“I will.”
“Closer than close.”
Her mouth twitched.“That sounds like something a nice person would say.”
“Don’t ruin the moment.”
She smiled, but her hand tightened in mine.
