Page 47 of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

He glanced down at me, his lips curving into a grin. “Never too early around here, sweetheart. What’ll it be?”

“Surprise me.” I sighed, leaning my elbows on the bar. “Got anything relatively close to breakfast?”

He pretended to think about it. “Cheeseburger?”

I laughed. “I’ll take it.”

Riggs hopped down from the stool, tossing the banner to the side. As he started mixing something, he smirked. “If you’re looking for Kannon, he’s not here.”

“I’m not,” I said quickly, though my cheeks betrayed me by heating up.

He arched an eyebrow. “No?”

“No. I came to talk to you.”

“Talk to me, huh?”

I nodded. “Yup.”

He shrugged. “Let me put in your order and I’ll mix you up a Bloody Mary. Hair of the dog.”

“How did you know I was hungover?”

He chuckled. “It’s what I do for a living.”

“Fair enough.” I smiled faintly, watching as he moved around his bar.

He disappeared into the back to relay the order to the kitchen. It was only when Riggs returned and started working on my drink that I dared to glance around. The bar was empty apart from us. It was too early for most folks who happened to find solace in a dimly lit bar, nursing their sorrows away with liquor.

The Valentine’s Day decorations looked a little out of place. “What’s with the decorations?” I asked.

“I was recently told they were shit,” he said with a laugh.

“No, I mean why are you putting them up?” I asked. “It seems a little out of character for the vibe in here.”

He shrugged. “I like to try and get people in the mood for love.”

I had some thoughts about that but chose not to get into it. I didn’t think ugly lighting, dark wood, and the stench of stale liquor really screamed sexy. Add in the smell of cigarette smoke that seemed to be a part of the wood after decades of smoking in the bar and love was about the last thing on my mind.

“Here you go.” He slid the drink toward me before taking his place across the counter. His gaze rested on me, waiting patiently for me to take a drink.

I had enjoyed some of the fancy Bloody Mary’s with a whole damn meal stuffed on top of the glass. This was a basic drink with a stick of celery and the rim dusted with a little chili powder.

I raised the glass to my lips and took a tentative sip. Riggs watched me with amusement in his eyes. The tangy tomato juice, spiked with vodka and a dash of Worcestershire sauce, swam over my tongue, the chili powder adding just the right amount of heat. Riggs knew his work, no doubt about that.

“Not bad.” I put the glass down. “Thank you. That’s exactly what I needed.”

“So, what’s really brought you by?”

I took a deep breath and tried to think of the most tactful way to ask the question on my mind. But I didn’t think Riggs gave a shit about tact and decorum.

“What can you tell me about what happened to Kannon while I’ve been gone?” I asked, taking the plunge.

That got his attention. Riggs straightened, crossing his arms as he studied me. “That’s a big question.”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “But I need to know.”

He considered me for a moment, then sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “It’s a long story, Merritt. You sure you’re ready for it?”