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“I remember that night. You told me to shove my big tip. That was your last night?” he asked.
I nodded.
“You should have taken the tip,” he said. “You deserved it.” His face turned solemn. “Those guys … I don’t work with them anymore.”
I looked at my beloved fries getting cold. Oh well, those calories would simply end up on my hips, anyway.
“Why didn’t you tell me that was the night you left?” he asked.
I shrugged. “You’re my boss or my client. I assumed you were one of them, and there was the whole car thing.”
“Ugh, I’m sorry about that.” His face twisted.
“I know. And I know you tried to help that girl. She texted me when she got home.”
“I did. I gave her the back seat to herself. She had her arms wrapped around her waist like she was barely keeping it together. I met her the night before when her friend fell near the pool and scraped her arm. She reminded me of my little sister. She and her friend were both too young for that party, but I wasn’t sure what to do. She said a contact from their modeling agency brought them to network. They didn’t ask for help, and they said they were having fun. So, I let it go. A decision I’ve regretted ever since.”
He rubbed his hand through his hair and sucked his teeth. “I was royally pissed at my so-called buddies for bringing me to that party to make a deal. I hope no female-led companies wanted to bid on our platform because I highly doubt they’d come to that party to lay the groundwork. Classic bro move, and I was part of it. That was the last time I built anything with those guys.”
Lucas shook his head again. “I asked the girl if I could take her to a friend’s house, someone she could talk to. I even asked if she was sick so I could suggest the ER. She refused, and I felt useless. I kept thinking this girl could be my sister. This could be Tess. It was awful.”
“You know Dickwad was at that party too. He talked to Pamela,” I said.
“Wait, Cole? The guy from the night at Hill & Ocean? Oh, that’s right. That was where I met him. Shit, I couldn’t remember. I didn’t see him again for almost two years. I knew I had met him, but I couldn’t remember where. I knew he was a slimeball from the start,” Lucas said.
“He came out to talk to Pamela right before you guys left. I’m pretty sure he’s the one who hurt her. She barely wanted to stand near him, much less go back inside with him like he asked,” I said.
“What? She never told me anything about what happened or who was involved.”
“He came out and tried to get her to stay, but she refused multiple times. I stepped in, and he backed off. Then, you came back and left with Pam.”
“Cole.” Lucas spit the word before clenching his jaw. “He’s the one from my canceled deal, the one under investigation for stealing code. That dinner and those guys, that was work. They were part of the group I was consulting for.”
“No.” I gaped at him.
“I’ve wondered if that girl was okay,” he said, resting an elbow on the bar, his finger rubbing his lips, his eyes unfocused.
“I’m glad you helped her.”
“I wish I’d done more.” His face looked pained.
Lucas told me he was a good guy. Pam said he felt like a brother. Hell, even my friend Annie had thought he was at least good enough to encourage me to take the original personal chef gig he offered. Now this. I believed he was a good guy too.
Jake came back to take our plates. “Another round? Rhys and the guys are playing acoustic tonight.” He pointed to the band setting up on a little stage area in one of the front windows.
“I could use another round if you’re up for it,” Lucas said. Tonight’s revelations were a lot to take in for both of us.
“Absolutely.”
“Same or something stronger?” he asked.
“You choose.” I gave him a smirk.
His gaze lingered on my face, his eyes a smolder, and there was a flutter in my belly. “We’ll each have the Four Roses bourbon, doubles.” That sounded about right to me.
The music and liquor helped.
The band took a break. “Hold my seat. I’ll be back.” Lucas headed toward the restrooms. I turned to the bar and scrolled through my phone.
