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I couldn’t help but smile at the fun Sandee was having with her friends in the corner, while the rest of the party raged on around them. I sat at the bar with a sparkling water, keeping an eye on things. It wasn’t my typical event, in that I was more relaxed and there was no reason to rush around because it was all handled.
“Thanks for the booking Carlotta, the money is awesome, but let me tell you, I could do without all the ass grabbing.” Grady paused at the bar. “Maybe you can tell them I’m not on the menu?”
I laughed and shook my head at his put upon expression. “I could, but where’s the fun in that? Besides, I saw you eyeballing that curvy redhead with Sandee.” I nodded over my left shoulder in the direction of said redhead.
Grady’s grin came slow and easy as he shrugged. “What? I enjoy beautiful things, that’s all. I like looking at you, but I haven’t made a move, have I?”
Good point. “Thanks for that Grady.” His compliment, though totally platonic, was the ego boost I desperately needed in that moment.
He frowned and stared at me for a long minute. “You need me to kick someone’s ass for you? I’m happy to help out a friend, and more so with the fee you arranged for this place. Hell, I’ll even throw in a few knees to the nuts if you want.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Thanks for the offer, but that’s not necessary.” I might still be a little sad at the way things with Chase had played out, but two weeks have passed since the picnic in the park, and we haven’t spoken. The plans for Pippa and Ryan’s wedding were done, the date was set and the invitations had been sent out. By next week I would have a head count. Everything was progressing nicely.
“Seriously,” Grady said, his smile faded into sympathy. “For what it’s worth, the mayor is an idiot if he doesn’t see how great you are, or how lucky he is that you even looked in his direction.”
“Thank you for saying that, but it’s not that simple. And honestly I’m sick of talking about it. But you know what I’m not sick of?”
Grady arched a thick fiery brow in question.
“I’m not sick of drinking about it. Whiskey on the rocks, please and thank you.” I smiled, but my heart squeezed at the thought that maybe, just maybe, Chase had a small point. The town was nosy, and everyone had noticed that we weren’t spending time together, and they of course commented on it, questioned it and offered up sympathy. But that was the best part of living in Carson Creek, everyone knew everyone ,and most of all, they gave a damn. I wouldn’t trade that kind of love and care for anything in the world.
“You’re drinking on the clock? That doesn’t sound like you’re fine with things.”
I shrugged. “The event is almost over, and there are very few decorations to take down,” I told him as I looked around at the black and silver balloons that wished Sandee a ‘Happy Divorce’. It would take ten minutes maximum, which meant I deserved a drink. “Whiskey me, barkeep!”
Grady’s lips twitched before he nodded and poured three fingers of whiskey over a giant ice cube. “Barkeep?”
I shrugged. “I always wanted to say that, and you provided me with the perfect opportunity.”
“I don’t mind it,” he whispered. “Just don’t make it a habit.”
“More shots, bartender!” Sandee shouted over the jukebox and licked her lips at the sight of Grady’s big, tattooed body. “Buttery nipples all around.”
He slid a look at me and giggled. “Still worth the money you got me for this. Drink that slowly,” he ordered and went to the other end of the bar, presumably to get started on a dozen buttery nipples.
“Make them all doubles,” she shouted when he began pouring.
I laughed at the grunt Grady let out, but he was a good sport about it, even though her amended order meant he’d have to start pouring the schnapps again. “Coming right up, ladies!”
“Woooo!” The collective shout of excitement tugged a smile across Grady’s face.
“Is he yours?” The question came from the curvy redhead, and I smiled up at her and shook my head.
“Grady and I are friends, that’s all.”
“You sure?”
“Yep. Positive. He’s single as far as I know.”
“Yeah?” She purred the word as the corners of her lips curled into a knowing smile. “Thanks honey, and this is a great party by the way.”
“Thanks sugar, be sure to tell your friends.” The words mostly hit her back as she sauntered to the other end of the bar where Grady placed the double shots on a tray.
Two and a half hours later, the bar was empty except for me and Grady. The decorations were packed into a large plastic bin by the door, and my heels sat on top of them, a pair of hot pink sneakers on my aching feet. “I’d say tonight went well. Really well.”
Grady grunted as he stood beside me and stared at the pristine bar. “It did,” he finally agreed, though reluctantly.
“You did good tonight, but I am sorry about the groping.”
