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Ryan
My angel was keeping something from me, and I knew it. What it was exactly, I had absolutely no idea, but I was determined to figure it out.
As I made my way back to work, I found myself actually wanting to talk to my brothers to get their advice. I also hoped that both of their girlfriends would be there too so I could get a woman’s perspective as well.
I was screwed. This was what I’d turned into. Within the span of a twelve-hour period, I’d become completely infatuated with someone I knew nothing about. Was that why she drove me so crazy, because of the mystery and intrigue?
Shaking my head, I searched my thoughts and feelings to be sure that this wasn’t some kind of sick game I convinced myself I needed to play. I wasn’t the kind of man who toyed with women’s emotions, no matter what they might say about me. And the last time I had been so bent out of shape over a woman was . . . hell, never? I couldn’t remember ever feeling quite this way before.
Pulling the heavy bar door open, I stepped into my second home. Thankfully, the evening crowd was somewhat thin, and I spotted Claudia and Jess sitting together at a back table.
I thought about heading straight for them before I realized that I should see what damage Frank and Nick had done to my bar in my absence. We were all equal partners, but behind the bar was my domain. Nick ruled the social media and marketing. Frank ran the finances and the books. The bar, the drinks, the concocting of new and amazing cocktails, that was all me. All mine.
“How’s the old man?” Nick asked as he wiped down a glass.
“Ornery as ever.”
Frank glanced over at me. “So he’s okay?”
“I think so. He didn’t tell me much, except that I’d better see him again tomorrow and bring him some pants.” I made a face, and Nick howled.
“He cracks me up,” Nick said through his laughter.
“I don’t know what the hell is so funny about me bringing the guy pants.”
Frank grinned at me. “You do realize that everyone bosses you around, right?”
My eyes narrowed in response. “Whatever. What the hell have you two done to my bar?”
I scanned the liquor bottles displayed behind the bar, noting how some of them were out of place, in the wrong order and facing the wrong direction. I groaned, muttering amateurs as I went behind the bar to fix it all.
“He’s still grouchy,” Nick said, talking about me but not to me.
Frank nodded. “I told you. It’s the girl.”
They were obviously trying to goad me, which was one of their favorite things to do. As much as I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction, I needed their help, so I had to suck it up.
I stopped rearranging the bottles and turned to face them. “Can you guys be serious for two seconds and actually help me, or are you gonna be assholes all night?”
Frank opened his mouth to respond, but Nick put his hand below his jaw and closed it before he could speak.
“We’ll be nice,” Nick said, and Frank glared at him. I wondered for a second if he was going to lose it, but he stayed calm.
“Probably need the girls for this one.” I tilted my head in the direction of their girlfriends.
“Love of my life,” Nick shouted across the bar, and Jess’s blond head popped up in response, a big smile on her face. “We need you.”
Instead of chastising Nick like I expected, Frank yelled to his girlfriend, Claudia.
“You too, gorgeous.”
I just stood there, dumbfounded at the turn of events. A year ago, Frank would have been yelling at both of us, calling us names because he was so damned miserable himself. But now, instead of reacting the way I’d grown accustomed to, he was acting . . . like a man in love. It was as sickening as it was fucking adorable. I couldn’t even hate him for it, no matter how badly I wanted to.
Both women hopped up from the table and hurried toward us. Drinks in hand, they climbed onto stools at the bar, their gazes pinging between the three of us in anticipation. I couldn’t help but laugh at how serious they looked.
Claudia’s brown eyes widened. “What is it?”
“Are we in trouble?” Jess asked. “Ooh, I sort of hope we’re in trouble,” she teased before waggling her eyebrows at Nick and nudging Claudia with her elbow.
