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I stop what I’m doing and look at Coop. “That’s nothing new.”
He takes a step forward and lowers his voice. “You told me you were going to get more help.”
“Help is hard to come by, and I can’t afford to pay anyone. I’m lucky I have the volunteers I do.”
Coop rubs his jawline. “I can help.”
My hands go to my hips. “When? You’re the only person I know who works as much as I do.”
“I’ll make time.”
“No, you won’t.” I place a hand on his arm. “Working at Animal Haven isn’t a hardship. I love it out there. Don’t worry about me. If things get too stressful, I’ll let you know.”
“Promise?”
I draw a cross over my heart.
“Good enough for me. Get out of here,” he says, nodding toward the door.
I frown. “Did your brother put you up to this?”
Coop holds his pointer finger and thumb about an inch apart. “Maybe just a little, but we’re slow, and you have to be exhausted.”
“But what if we get a rush?”
Coop looks down at his watch. “It’s almost midnight. I think we can handle it for a couple of hours.”
“You’re sure?”
“Go before I change my mind.”
I close out my drawer, instructing my customers to let Sean or Sarah know when they’re ready to settle up, and grab my purse from behind the bar. When I look up, I see Rhett and Nikki walking toward me.
Rhett has an easy smile on his face as I round the bar, and Nikki is oblivious to the world as she types away on her phone. She stumbles, but somehow manages to stay upright. How she walks in those damn heels, especially when she’s been drinking, I’ll never know.
“I see Coop let you off early.” Rhett grins, and I feel that smile from my head to my toes. “You still want to talk?”
“Sure—”
My words are cut off when a perfectly manicured hand shoves between us. “I’m Nikki.”
Sliding to the side, Rhett moves out of the way, and for the first time tonight, I get a good look at his manager. She’s looks different from the first and only time I saw her before tonight. Her hair is longer, breasts bigger, and her lips look like they’ve had more than a few collagen injections.
I take her hand but don’t introduce myself, because the last thing I want is for her to recognize me. Nikki wraps her delicate hand around mine. We do the obligatory handshake, but she doesn’t let go. Instead, she blinks once, twice, and then a third time, recognition flaring behind her overly made-up eyes.
“Wait a minute, I know you.” Her voice has the slightest hint of a slur.
I tug my hand out of her grip, intent on using her intoxicated state against her. “Um, no, I’m pretty sure you don’t.” How on Earth could she possibly remember me? She’s seen me one time—one freaking time—and it was years ago.
Squinting, she takes a step forward, and I take a step back. Hoisting her purse up on her shoulder, Nikki hiccups and points a finger at me. “Yup. Pretty sure I’ll never forget your face.” She scrunches her nose. “Monica, right?”
“Monroe,” Rhett offers, wrapping his hand around her arm. “Her name is Mo. Come on, Nikki. You’re drunk. Let me take you back to Coop’s.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re Mo!” She smiles brilliantly as she yanks her arm from Rhett’s grasp. “I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together when Rhett was talking about you earlier. You’re the girlfriend who couldn’t let go.”
Oh shit. “You must have me confused with someone else.” I fling the strap of my purse over my shoulder, prepared to leave before this bitch throws everything I hate about my past back in my face. Rhett needs to hear the truth, but he needs to hear it from me. “Rhett, I think I should—”
“No, I don’t. I never forget a face; it’s part of my job. You were the girlfriend,” she says.
