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His eyes blinked open. “Carolina?”
The napkin slipped out of her fingers and floated to the floor.
“You got the job.” Did that make him feel better or worse since she hadn’t called?
“First day.” Her deep blue eyes had that stunned look, like a white-tailed deer caught in a four-wheeler’s lights at dusk.
“How’s your mother?” He schooled his voice, hoping she couldn’t catch his disappointment.
Her shoulders moved up and down with her sigh. His eyes dropped to her chest. Even in the modest polo, he didn’t need much imagination to remember how she’d pressed against him as they’d kissed.
So why in blazes hadn’t she called?
“They can’t get her seizures under control.” Her fingers crushed the second napkin she pulled for him. “She’s still in the hospital.”
He caught her hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” She stared into his eyes.
The noise of the room slipped away. He wanted to make the pain in her deep blue eyes disappear, too.
She shook her head. “Um, what can I get you?”
“What’s on tap?”
“First day.” She winced. “Lots of Southbound.”
“I’ll have their seasonal.” He could have one beer and make it last through dinner.
“I’ll get that.” But she stayed right in front of him.
He smiled. Maybe she hadn’t been blowing him off. Warmth flooded through him.
“Sage?” she asked.
“Yeah?”
“I need my hand back.”
Cripes. He let go and the warmth faded like a leaking balloon. He was an idiot. “Sorry.”
Over her shoulder, she quipped, “I didn’t mind.”
What? He shook his head. Mistake. Mallets pounded spikes into his eyeballs. At least the jackhammers hadn’t come out for a few days.
“Do you want to run a tab?” Carolina set a mug in front of him. Her eyes went wide. “Are you meeting someone for dinner? A date?”
She cared? He was so confused. “My coworker, Kaden.”
She checked down the bar, chewing on her lower lip. And stayed right in front of him.
“I’ve got to ask,” he blurted out.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Yes?”
Her whispered word reminded him of the way she’d whispered his name when they’d kissed. His body came alive.
“Did you…did you forget to call me?” He grimaced. “Or was that intentional?”
“I forgot.” Her hand clapped over her mouth. “With my mother’s seizures, I forgot.”
His headache eased. “So, you weren’t blowing me off?”
“No.” She set her hand on his. “Everything’s just so complicated right now.”
“Like I said, I’m available for dinner or just a shoulder to cry on.” Preferably in bed, but even he wasn’t crass enough to suggest that to her. He wanted to help any way he could. It was the Cornell way.
“Thanks.”
“So, if I called again, it would be okay?”
She nodded. “But don’t be hurt if I can’t answer.” She glanced down the bar and a patron waved. “I need to work.”
He enjoyed watching her pull beers, mix drinks and chat with customers and the other bartender. Having two hot bartenders was a good business strategy. Wine and beer were flowing.
“There you are.” Kaden sat next to him.
“Yup.” He shook Kaden’s hand. “Want a beer?”
“I’ve got it.” Kaden waited for Carolina to take his order.
“How long has this place been open?” Sage watched Kaden watch Carolina. And wanted to rip his partner’s eyes out.
“Almost a month.”
“What can I get you?” Carolina asked Kaden.
“What’s he’s having?” Kaden asked.
“Southbound’s seasonal,” she replied.
“That sound good.”
“Are you good, Sage?” she asked.
“I’m good.”
After Carolina walked away, Kaden said, “Ten minutes? You work fast my friend.”
“I met her when you invited me over for dinner.” No way would he admit she’d knocked him down. “I helped her the night her mother ended up in the hospital.”
“Not the most romantic setting. But it suits a hero wannabe.”
Sage’s gaze snapped to his partner. “What?”
“You. And your hero complex.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sage clutched his mug. He didn’t have a complex.
“Right.”
Carolina brought Kaden his beer. “Enjoy.”
“What time are you off?” Sage asked before she walked away.
