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As great as their night was, in the wake of what had happened to Blaine and Emilia, plus Sarah’s complete lack of desire to be attached to anyone in any way, she really didn’t want to complicate her life any further.
“You want a steak dinner or fish and chips?” Gordon’s loud voice traveled from his usual spot before the industrial stove, the chef’s full face glowing bright pink from the steam raising from a giant stock pot.
“I’m not hungry.” She ripped at her apron strings, slapping the garment onto a steel bench beside the giant walk-in freezer, its soft buzzing filling her ears.
Sure, she could relate to Ally wanting a little adventure. She’d succumbed to Dean herself, after all, but Ally didn’t handle disappointment like she did. Besides, maybe she owed Ally the truth about her night with Dean before the woman got too enraptured.
Gordon put his spoon down beside the stove, his squint seeming to inspect every frown line on Sarah’s forehead. “What’s your problem?”
“Nothing.” She stalked toward a nearby shelf and swiped a large bottle of tequila, refusing to give him any direct attention. “I’m just not hungry.”
She turned to Gordon when she didn’t get one of his expected smart-ass replies back. His large, well-built torso hunched over another steel bench, and he stared through the pass leading into the bar. “Who’s Ally talking to?”
Sarah glanced through the small gap, and her heart did an involuntary thump at Ally laughing with a ruggedly handsome Dean. “Whoever Ally flirts with is apparently none of our business.”
She hated herself for sounding so sarcastic, and yet, she couldn’t stop. “It’s busy tonight; why have you stopped cooking?”
“You’re not the only one who’s allowed a break, Missy.” Gordon crossed his arms and leaned back so he stood upright, his narrowed glare sweeping over her. “Besides, whatever’s happening out there is way more interesting than watching soup boil.”
Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, about to announce she was leaving, just as soon as she poured herself one sanity-saving drink. But before she could open her eyes again, a memory of Dean held her captive.
They were at the soiree, pale moonlight spilling over his face, his thick black hair brushing her forehead as he drew in to kiss her.
Holy smokes…
It was impossible to think about that, without thinking about what happened after. That she’d allowed herself to let loose with him and loved every minute of it.
Still, she should never have taken him home. Should never have let him get that far.
To make love to her. To allow herself to get so carried away when he did.
Then again, could she blame herself? She hadn’t known he’d be back to haunt her with his unwelcome presence, on top of flirting with her best friend.
“Wow.” Gordon’s overloud voice had her throwing her eyes open in time to catch his wide-eyed astonishment. “Did you see that? Ally just slipped that guy her number.”
Oh for fuck’s sake!
Her belly clenched, and she drew nearer to the pass, taking the entire tequila bottle with her. Ally leaned her shoulder into Dean, her lips dangerously close to his ear. Meanwhile, whatever she said brought a smile to his face, his reply in turn making her throw her head back in a boisterous, enthusiastic laugh.
Gordon eyeballed Sarah. “See the size of that guy? I bet he eats sweet little girls like Ally for breakfast.”
Sarah clung to the tequila bottle’s cold neck. She hated gossiping. Ironic since her work at the bar meant townsfolk often came to her with theirs and everyone else’s problems.
“Ally’s no little girl.” Her gruff voice surprised even her, and she stomped toward the back exit before she or Gordon could say anything more.
She huddled on the back step, the serene night ahead of her as she cracked the bottle lid open. She didn’t normally drink but too much had happened. With Blaine. With Dean. Her entire life, really… Tonight, she needed an escape.
