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Kenna squeezed Melody’s hand. “When love comes, it won’t let go.”
Melody looked out at the crowd. “That’s how it should be. You spend enough time in a place like this, you see love come, go, breaking hearts and making them soar.”
Max bet she’d seen it all. “You’re still young. You’ve got time.”
“No one has time to waste. Not when your number could be up at any time. You two know that firsthand.” Melody eyed them. “I want to live each day like it could be my last.” Melody scanned the crowd. “But right now, the bar is hopping and I need to make some cash, so what can I get you two? On the house, of course. You’re family.”
Max didn’t even try to argue about paying for thedrinks. He’d been down that road too many times and lost. But he would leave his sweet cousin a big tip.
“What is Aria’s drink tonight?” Kenna asked.
Aria picked a drink special every night. Usually something unexpected.
“A peach Bellini. You’ll love it. Tastes like spring and summer, even if it is the dead of winter.”
“Perfect. I’ll have that.”
Max gave his usual order, though he bet Melody already knew it. “Beer. Whatever local brew you’ve got on tap.”
Melody closed in and kissed his cheek. “This is the first time you’ve come in, in a long time, that you actually look happy. It makes me happy to see you smile again.”
He hugged her close. “Thanks, cuz.” He let her go and caught the content and reassuring look in Kenna’s eyes.
“Back in a minute.”
Kenna leaned into him. “That was really nice of her.”
“They never let me pay.”
“No. I mean how concerned she was about you.”
“Part of why I changed my ways was because I didn’t like seeing my family worried about me. I mean, I knew I wasn’t getting anywhere in my life doing what I was doing, but I also made it a habit that I needed to break.”
“So you did, and you got to spend more time with them.”
“Yeah.” He appreciated her continued understanding.
Melody arrived with their drinks and a platter of food.She set it all on the table. “Lyric is slammed with orders, but she wanted you two to have something to eat.”
“This looks amazing.” Kenna smiled because they were all their favorites, as Lyric well remembered.
The platter had four barbecue pulled pork sliders with fresh slaw on top, cheddar bacon potato skins, and spicy chicken and cheese flautas with mango chili dipping sauce. No one cooked better than Lyric in the whole state. People came here for the food, just as much as they did to drink, dance, and sing along with a live band on the weekends, though tonight they had a recorded playlist.
Melody bumped her shoulder into his. “Enjoy. Also, there’s someone you two know in the second to last booth on the left, behind, and to the side of you. I expect the real show to begin in a few minutes.”
“What show?” Max knew nothing about something going on tonight.
The second he spotted Hillary, he cringed. He should have guessed she’d be here tonight. She haunted the bar like ghosts did cemeteries. But he didn’t know what Melody meant about a show.
“You’ll see.” Melody took her tray and went to the next table to take the foursome’s drink order.
“What is she talking about?” Kenna asked, taking a big bite of one of the potato skins, one of her favorite treats.
“Uh, I’m not sure.” He took a sip of his beer, hoping it settled his nervous stomach and that Kenna didn’t see Hillary. He didn’t want anything to spoil tonight.
Aria popped up next to him. “Hi, cuz. Kenna,” Aria said, giving Kenna a big smile. “I’m so glad you guys came tonight.” She slid an arm across Kenna’s shoulder and touched the side of her head to Kenna’s, avoiding the stitches. “Max told me about what happened to break you two up. I’m really sorry that happened to you. No one should interfere in someone else’s relationship.” Aria cocked her head toward him. “And besides you, Crazy Lady, who would want Max that bad?”
Kenna laughed, along with him and Aria.
