Page 14 of Sundown Somewhere

Thankfully, they all do, a resounding yes following my question.

Now, if I could only turn my thoughts off that easily.

5

DOLLY

“So, Dolly, I was thinking…now that you’re single…”

I look up from the plate of snacks I’m arranging, not quite sure that I heard Ben, the college-aged kid who works part time at Pour Decisions on weekends and school breaks, correctly. For a number of reasons. Not the least of which being that I’m pretty sure I’m mathematically old enough to be his mother.

“I’m not single.”

I turn back to the snacks, admiring just how cute the little teddy bear graham cracker wrapped in puff pastry to look like he’s taking a nap—complete with mini chocolate square pillow—turned out. They took some finesse to make sure that teddy didn’t shift while baking, but overall I’m thrilled. A perfect addition to my repertoire for events.

They were also a very welcome distraction from everyone who continued to try and sneak a peek at me all week. I’m starting to think I should have grabbed Hux and taken him with me on that all-inclusive luxury vacation.

“I mean, technically you are,” Ben says, sidling up to me and giving me a look that I think is supposed to be suave. Is that what works on college girls these days? “You didn’t get married.”

Thank you for reminding me, Ben…

“No, I didn’t. However, that doesn’t equate to being single.”

“Sure it does.”

He gives me a grin, paired with a wink, leaving no room for interpretation on what message he’s trying to get across. Deep down maybe I should be flattered—or something—and on another night maybe I would be. Or at least ready to flirt with him a little before letting him down gently and laughing it off with the girls. But tonight is not that night.

“You know, Ben, I’ve never worked in a bar, but I do own a restaurant, and they are very similar in that there are always dishes to be done. So, maybe you should go check on that?”

Taking the rejection in stride, Ben shrugs it off, walking backward in the direction of the storeroom.

“Just know that I’m here for you, should you need to get anything out of your system.”

He clicks his tongue, in time with shooting off his finger guns, leaving me completely dumbfounded.

I might be weirdly horny post breakup, but I’m not that horny…

“Hey.”

A strong arm wraps around me, forearm laid against my clavicle as a soft kiss is pressed into the crown of my head. I jump, heart racing from being caught off guard, but Hux holds me steady, his warmth surrounding me.

“Oh, these look good.” He reaches around me with his free arm, grabbing a napping teddy and popping it in his mouth.

“Hey! Those are for the guests!”

The din of conversation picks up as I scold him, a large group of fishermen in their tackle gear making their way into the warehouse-like space that has been converted into a taproom. They’ll be the first of many, since last I heard there were almost one hundred teams signed up for tomorrow’s tournament.

“I’m a guest,” Hux defends.

He’s not, and he knows it. Between his younger brother being the one organizing the tournament, his older brother’s bar hosting the party, and his family’s company being the largest sponsor, Hux is anything but a guest. Nice try though.

I roll my eyes, pulling away from him so that he can see my reaction, putting the finishing touches on the table.

“Wanna tell me what’s the matter?” he asks.

“Nothing.”

That’s a lie. There’s a lot the matter. Like the entirety of the last two weeks. And the fact that I was just kinda sorta propositioned by a tadpole. But we’re not going into that here. Especially since that tadpole might not live to become a full grown frog if Hux finds out what he did.