Page 29 of Somewhere You Belong

Her eyes widen in recognition and a knowing smile follows. “Well, isn’t that convenient?”

Penn chuckles. “It sure is.”

“Standing room only tonight, and here you two are, just standing. I could use some help out here.”

That voice.

I don’t even have to look in that direction to know who it belongs to.

“Calm your nuts, Dallas,” Astrid fires back as she rolls her eyes and grabs her tray again. “I was just saying hello to my friend here.” She gestures in my direction, which has his gaze drifting my way.

And when it locks onto mine, the same rage from Monday comes barreling back into me, followed by an inconvenient spark of lust.

Dallas—so that’s the man’s name. He stares at me with narrowed eyes, clad in a black polo shirt and dark-wash jeans. His beard is trimmed to perfection, his hair freshly cut as well, and his eyes are dark and menacing as they stare down at me, brimming with frustration and annoyance at my presence.

Well, the feeling is mutual pal, even though my vagina apparently hasn’t received that message.

“Dude. You look fucking psycho right now.” Penn shoves Dallas’s shoulder before he places two margaritas on Astrid’s tray. “This is Willow by the way,” he says, motioning toward me.

“Oh, we’ve met.”

Penn chuckles and Astrid hides a snort as my eyes bounce between the three of them.

“Oh yes. Dallas, it’ssucha pleasure, as always,” I reply sarcastically.

Penn full-blown laughs this time, shaking his head as he moves around Dallas and reaches for a dish towel from a bucket. “Shit, brother. She’s got your number already.”

“Wait. This man is yourbrother?” I say, a little too loudly.

“Is that a problem?” Dallas asks, crossing his arms over his chest, drawing attention to the muscles in his upper body and the veins in his forearms. The man should be a walking advertisement for arm porn, and I hate that I’m thinking about that right now.

I clear my throat and lean back in my seat, flicking my finger back and forth between them. “Oh, not at all. I just don’t understand how you two could be related.”

Astrid throws her head back in laughter. “Oh, just hang around here a while longer, and you’ll realize just how alike these two are.” She pats the bar in front of me. “It was good to see you, Willow. WillI be seeing you in the morning?” She winks at me, so I’m sure she’s referring to the bakery.

“Oh, definitely. I need my fix.”

With a nod and a smile, she takes off to deliver her drinks, leaving me with the Beast and his brother.

Penn turns his attention back to me. “What can I make for you?”

“I’ll have a…”

“Martini with three olives,” Dallas finishes for me, shoving his brother out of the way. “I’ve got it. Go help out Brian.”

Penn smirks in my direction, shaking his head at his brother before walking away. Dallas lowers his gaze to the bar well as he begins making my drink.

“I don’t know if I trust you to make my drink after what happened on Monday,” I quip as he moves with ease in front of me.

“Contrary to what you might think of me, poisoning my customers isn’t part of my business model.” he replies dryly, skewering three olives and dropping them into the glass before sliding it along the bar toward me.

“Thank you.”

The corner of his mouth tips up as he crosses his arms again. “You’re welcome. Looks like you’ve found your manners.”

I scoff, reaching for my drink. “Oh, I’ve always had manners. I just reserve them for people who are deserving.”

His smile grows and his stare becomes more intense. “Well then, I’ll take those words as a compliment.” I fight the urge to roll my eyes as he clears his throat. “So, I take it you’re back in town for a while?”

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