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“I would.”
“Why? You don’t even know Mike.”
“Do you know Mike? Do you trust him? Do you think he can do it?”
Did I? Was I crazy for even thinking this? Perhaps I was, but I didn’t think so. “I don’t know Mike as well as maybe I should, but I do know that he has worked at the place since he was in high school. When he talks about owning it, I see a light in his eyes that isn’t normally there. I think he would do a fantastic job for it because it’s a part of him. It’s one of the reasons he left the motorcycle gang.”
She eyed me critically. “The same gang that Bryan infiltrated?”
“Um, yes, but Mike wasn’t arrested.”
“Does he know that Bryan is alive?”
I shook my head. “No, and he can’t learn that information.”
“You know that could be tricky. If you are getting close to him, that might be hard to hide for long.”
I shook my head. “I know that Bryan and Cara’s safety is important. I would never do anything that would jeopardize that.”
“Okay, just so you know. If you are going to go into business with him, keep it just business.”
I tucked my bottom lip under my teeth.
“Unless you have already crossed that line,” she said and pursed her lips.
“Maybe,” I said and shrugged.
She snickered. “Is Bollard the cute one who works behind the bar?”
“Yes.”
“I can see why you are interested. He is cute—tough-looking, but cute.”
“And the sex is off the charts. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I had sex with a man who could practically hit the button without even touching me.”
She laughed. “I get it. Your brother is like that with me.”
I put my hand out. “Stop! Do not talk about my brother like that! Gross!” We burst out laughing at that and then talked a little more about the tavern.
* * *
Now I stood in front of him, prepared to drop a bomb. What was he going to think? I took a deep breath, and the words burst out of my mouth. “I want to be your partner.” Michael stared back at me, his lips slightly parted, and I wondered if he had died standing up. “Did you hear me?”
He shook his head. “Yeah, I heard you, but what the hell are you talking about, Candy?”
“I’m talking about helping you buy the restaurant and giving you enough money to upgrade the kitchen and enlarge the place to increase the profit margin.”
“You want to buy the tavern with me?”
I nodded and then took his hand. “Come on, let’s sit down and discuss this. You look like you need to have a seat.”
I collected two more beers and pulled him into the living room, where we took seats on opposite ends of the sofa. He sat there staring at me for a few seconds, then took a long pull off his beer, set it down, and turned to me. “Where did you come up with this fucked-up idea?”
I gasped. “It’s not fucked up.” I leaned forward and took his hand. “Look, I would have to be blind not to see how much that place means to you. I know how much you want it and how it is just out of reach for you. I want to help you make that dream come true.”
“Why? Why would you want to help me? You don’t know anything about me, Candy. Just because we have fucked a few times doesn’t mean you know me.”
“You’re right; it doesn’t, and this has nothing to do with our relationship—physical or otherwise. The proposal is in regard to investing in your future, mine, and Laney’s.”
