Page 67 of The Other Half

“Who are you, Sherlock freaking Holmes?” I asked as I shook my head.

“I’m a bartender. Bartenders know everything.” Waggling her eyebrows, she gave us both a triumphant stare.

“Well, I suppose the cat’s out of the bag. Considering Aaron busted us on the boat today, it was only a matter of time before tongues in town start wagging. So yes, Jo. Cassie and I are... together.” He looked at me as if for confirmation on that last part. Nodding, I confirmed that we were much more than just a lay. So much more.

“That’s so awesome. I’m taking full credit.”

“Don’t hurt yourself patting your own back, Jo,” Jake teased.

“Whatever. I did this. Me. You’re welcome.” With a half-bow she backed away. I saw the excitement in her eyes, but for a split-second I saw her prior warning flash through them when she locked eyes with me. That “if you hurt him, I’ll kill you” stare shot through me. But I didn’t want to hurt Jake. In fact, I wanted nothing more than to make him happy.

“Well, looks like we’re out in the open,” Jake said. I leaned on the bar next to him. “Are you okay with that?”

“Very.” I grinned. Sliding his hand into mine, I gave it a squeeze.

“Good. Because in a small town you can’t really get away with much for long. And I have no intention of hiding how I feel about you.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

We leaned forward and met in the middle of the bar, our lips brushing together for a soft kiss.

“Oh, hell no! No making out at the bar!” Jo scolded and bumped me while she passed by.

“Sorry, Jo,” I sighed while our lips drifted apart.

“Don’t make me spray you horny kids down with the water on the gun.”

Jake shrugged. “That wouldn’t stop us. We can still make out in the water. Been there, done that.”

The memories of the two times we’d made out in the water together pushed back into my mind and I sighed.

Laughing, Jake pushed off his stool, giving me a playful look before walking to the jukebox. When he leaned up against it, the way his ass looked in those jeans sent that familiar wave of desire coursing through me again.

“Can I get a Captain and coke?” a customer down the bar asked, pulling my attention away.

“Sure. Of course.” I glanced at Jake once more before heading to the ice well with a happy sigh.

As I shoveled ice into the glass, the quiet bar filled with the familiar notes of the song I’d heard only once in my life. Until now. He’d played it last night when he’d asked me to dance. He turned around and leaned back against the jukebox, crossing his arms while he stared straight through me.

My hand slipped on the glass I held, and it crashed to the floor in an explosion of rum and soda. The rolling ice echoed through the bar, and I gasped as I dove to grab the still-intact glass. When I stood up, Jake was back at the bar, leaning on it grinning.

“I’ve still got it,” he said, causing me to burst into laughter.

“You certainly do.” It felt like that first night I’d seen him. The promises dancing inside those azure irises caused me to lose my grip on the glass again, but this time I caught it before it made another embarrassing decent to the ground.

“Yep. Still got it.” He grinned while he slid back onto his stool.

“Is this going to be a problem? I can’t have you throwing Cassie off her game the rest of the summer,” Jo teased.

“I’ll be sad if she stops dropping glasses when I come in. I intend to have you dropping glasses for many years to come.”

The look that passed between us was a silent exchange that meant he felt what I was feeling. It meant we were more than a summer fling. It meant I wasn’t just a lay to him. The look broadcasted that we shared something, and we were both in this together. For the long haul.

“Bachelorette party incoming,” Jo said while she glanced out the window.

“What?” I asked, still unable to climb out of Jake’s intense gaze.

“We got a limo and a couple of glitzy hos. I’m guessing bachelorette party.”