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Having been so focused on me, Claire hadn’t heard her sister approach, and she jumped. “This is early for you. No late-night yoga?”
“They’re all at the séance or whatever the hell they’re doing, remember? And anyway, I’m going to get up early tomorrow to meet Carmen.”
“Really?”
“Why do you sound so surprised?”
“You’re not exactly a morning person.”
“For the right reason, I could be. Are you ready to go?” Stephanie eyed me. “Or can you find your own way home?”
I hooked my arm around Claire’s waist. “I’ve got her.” I grinned wickedly. “But don’t wait up.”
Stephanie returned my grin. “It’s about damn time she dated after Repulsive Reg.”
Two things stood out to me about that statement. Were Claire and I dating? We’d slept together once. That didn’t feel like dating to me. In any event, it was pointless to define what we were because we were temporary, since she didn’t live here.
I pushed all that aside to consider the second thing. “Who is Repulsive Reg?”
Before Claire could respond, Stephanie said, “Only the sleaziest person in the tristate area, possibly in all of ever.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “You liked him.”
“All the more reason I hate him now. He fooled me, and that is unforgivable. Even if he hadn’t—you know—that would be enough for me to punch him in the nads if I ever see him again.”
“Nads?” Claire narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Are you okay to drive?”
This time, Stephanie rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. I’m simply channeling my inner Ethel.”
It took me a moment to realize she was referring to the owner of the Cadillac, who hadn’t wanted Hank’s nads on her seats.
“Be safe,” Claire said. “Text me when you get home so I don’t worry.”
Stephanie huffed. “I’m a grown-ass woman, but okay. And you…” She poked me in the chest. “Be sure to treat my sister well so I don’t have to punch you in the nads. Bye, now!”
She zipped up her coat and flounced out the door. I locked it behind her and watched until she was safely on her way.
“Who is Reg?” I asked Claire.
“No one important.” I arched a brow, and she sighed. “He’s my ex-boyfriend. Things didn’t end well.”
After what Stephanie had said, I thought that was an understatement, but I didn’t particularly want to discuss Claire’s ex-boyfriend in the short time we’d have together. I finished stacking the chairs, and we returned to the bar so I could cash out the register. Since nearly everything was paperless these days, it usually didn’t take long.
Wes shrugged into his coat. “I should get going too.”
“Early shift?” I asked.
“Actually, no. I have the day off, and I have a million things to do, like laundry. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to wear my swim trunks under my uniform.”
Carmen raised her hand. “Been there. Being an adult sucks sometimes. I’m heading out too. I need to be on point tomorrow since I’ll have a student.” Smiling gleefully, she hopped off her stool and slung her purse over her shoulder.
“Drive safely,” I told her then turned to Wes. “You got her?”
He frowned at me, scoffing at the stupid question. I needn’t have asked. Wes looked after the Ramsey-Croft women as closely as I did.
He turned to Carmen. “Let’s go.”
He put his hand on the small of her back to guide her toward the door. It lingered longer than it should have, and I frowned, remembering when I’d walked in on them looking cozy in her side of the Banks Brew Co. But then he lifted her hand to his forehead in a salute and opened the door for her. I shook my head, clearing that thought. Being with Claire was making me see romantic gestures where there weren’t any.
