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“I can live with that. I even have a cut in mind.”
“Pencil me in,” he muttered before bringing his lips to hers. Their exchange was a short one before he pulled away and announced, “I’ve got to go.”
“Wait! You’re goin’ without us? Me and mommy aren’t ready!” cried Evelyn, distraught at the possibility of being left behind.”
“Evie-B, daddy’s workin’. He’s got to be there early. We’re goin’ this afternoon with Uncle Steele and Auntie Belle.”
This news did not wipe the disappointed frown from Evelyn’s pretty face. Stepping away from Nora, Lawson went to stand at the table, opposite Evelyn. “I’ll see you soon. If you come around lunch, I can take my break with you.”
“Okay,” she muttered.
Lawson smiled as he leaned over the table, shortening the space between them before he turned his head and tapped his cheek. “I’ll take some sugar before I go.”
She didn’t hesitate to kiss his scruffy cheek, and when he returned to full height, her frown had been replaced with a satisfied smile.
Mission accomplished.
Damn if he didn’t love that little girl.
Lawson donned a jacket and, coffee in hand, said his goodbyes before heading for his truck. The convention had seen a fair bit of foot traffic throughout the week, but Moretti anticipated the weekend would guarantee the largest crowd. If the previous night was any indication of what they should expect going into Saturday, Lawson mentally prepared himself for a busy day.
A couple hours later, the line of people waiting to enter the distillery was a confirmation the artists would have their hands full.
“Damn,” Lawson heard Justice murmur from behind him.
Moretti and Dobbs were on the door that morning. Moretti would join Lawson inside to man the perimeter as soon as the crowd out front thinned; but Lawson was currently on his own, peeking out one of the windows just as the event kicked off for the day. Turned out, Fuchs had Dobbs pegged. Finn was sporting new ink, courtesy of Lady Jay, by the end of day two. Lawson was convinced Moretti kept him on the door to keep him from sliding back into Justice’s chair.
Glancing over his shoulder at the sound of his sister’s voice, Lawson smirked at the expression he saw on her face as she stared out at the line. “Ready or not…” he jibed.
“No shit,” she replied, a grin lightening up her eyes as they met his. “I swear, I’m gonna sleep for a week after this. Then I’m gonna go get a massage and go home and go back to sleep.”
Lawson chuckled, certain she was only slightly exaggerating.
Like a fighter getting ready to enter a ring, Justice blew out a deep breath, stretched her neck and rolled her shoulders. “God, I love my job. Come say hi when you can.”
She winked and tapped him with her elbow. He lifted his chin in response then watched her head back to her booth at thecenter of the venue. Soon, the whole place was abuzz with live music, the hum of chatter, and the sound of vibrating needles.
It was just after ten-thirty when Nora-Jean sent a text, letting Lawson know they were on their way. He was slipping his phone back into his pocket when Moretti approached.
“Hey.”
“Impressive turnout,” Moretti replied, folding his arms across his chest as he stopped at Lawson’s side, facing the center of the room. “I called Leo, told him we could use an extra pair of eyes. He should be here in about an hour, then we can start rotating breaks.”
“Sounds good.”
Lawson barely got the words out before his phone started vibrating inside of his pocket. When he realized it was ringing with an incoming call, rather than a text, he pulled it out to see who was trying to contact him. He frowned slightly, then looked in the direction of his sister’s booth as he swiped his thumb across the screen and brought the device to his ear.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“I’ve got a situation over here. Could use some backup.”
A scowl creased his brow as he shifted his gaze onto Moretti. “What kind of situation?”
“The kind you’re gettin’ paid to handle. See you in a sec.”
She disconnected, and Lawson immediately answered the question he saw in his boss’s eyes. “Trouble at Jay’s booth.”
“Go,” he muttered with a jerk of his chin. “Call if you need help.”
