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“Sure thing,” our trusty bartender answers. He disappears into the back and emerges a moment later, a hulking guy with dark blond hair trailing behind him. Dax is wide, with big arms and a bigger smile.
“Hey brother.” Barrett slaps him hard on the back when they hug. Despite Dax’s size, he’s not much taller than Barrett. He’s every bit as good-looking, though. Silver-blue eyes, muscles taking up most of his wide frame. He walks in a lazy slouch that doesn’t lessen his strength.
His smile is genuine when he says, “Glad you stopped by. I’m not working today—just checking on a few things.”
“Catarina, this is Dax.”
Dax aims his friendly smile at me and clasps my hand in his larger, warmer one.
“The wife here?” Barrett asks.
“Yeah, Becca’s in the kitchen. She’s vigilant about keeping an eye on the place. I’ll tell her you guys are here.”
“You’ll like her,” Barrett tells me. It’s exciting to meet his friends. I suppress a grin at the idea that he brought me here for that purpose. He takes my hand and pulls me off to the side near the kitchen. The restaurant is fairly busy. Twice we have to step out of the way of hustling servers with trays of food.
“Barrett, who have you brought me?” A tall, cute, short-haired blond woman steps from the kitchen. Her round pregnant belly appeared before she did. She surprises me by wrapping her arms around me in a strong hug.
“Becca, meet Catarina Everhart. Catarina, Becca Vaughn.”
“And you two are...” She wiggles a finger between us.
“Dating,” Barrett finishes.
“I read your column every week, Catarina. I know exactly who you are. I love the charity case you’ve taken on.” She pokes Barrett in the arm. “Shall we sit? Does everyone like chicken quesadillas?”
“Yes,” Barrett and I answer at the same time.
An hour later, after enjoying the most delicious quesadillas I’ve ever tasted, Becca chatters about the restaurant business and being pregnant and how she’s planning on dancing on open mic night after the baby is born.
“Barrett should sing here sometime,” I blurt. His warm blue eyes hit mine.
“I didn’t know you could sing!” Becca exclaims. “Did you know that, Dax?”
“Unfortunately, Princess,” he answers, “I know lots of things about Barrett Fox.”
Princess. That’s adorable. They’re adorable.
“How’d you guys meet?” I ask.
“Dax took a vacation to Tennessee at the resort where I worked,” Becca answers with a reminiscent smile. “We were flooded in together.”
Before I can ask for more details, she turns back to Barrett. “So? Will you?”
“Will I what?” Barrett lifts his beer glass.
“Sing!” Becca says.
“No. I will not.”
“Please.” She folds her hands.
“Yeah, please?” I mimic Becca, also folding my hands in front of me.
“Help us, they’re in cahoots.” Dax shakes his head.
“Not now,” Barrett answers, but he’s smiling as he swipes the condensation off the edge of his glass. “I’ll give you a private show if you want, Kitty Cat. But I’m not up for performing here tonight.”
“Hmph.” Becca crosses her arms. “You owe me.”
