Page 55 of Somewhere You Belong

As if he just took a pair of scissors to a balloon, Dallas bursts the bubble I’ve been swimming in for the past hour, reading me like an open book and I hate that he’s right.

“Well, she’s a natural,” Harold interjects, breaking the moment and squashing my inner turmoil for the moment.

“Good to know. You guys have a good night and I’ll see you at the center sometime this week,” he says, ushering me away like he’s my bodyguard.

“I wasn’t done playing.”

“Yes, you are,” he murmurs in my ear. “Come on. Let me get you a glass of water.”

Sulking, I huff but don’t argue as I follow him back to the bar where Astrid is grinning from ear to ear as she watches us.

Taking a seat on an empty stool, I roll my eyes and she hides her laugh. Dallas slides me a glass of water. “Thanks.”

“Looks like you were having fun,” Astrid says, standing across from me with her hands on her hips.

“I was.” My answer is so easy, and that makes me feel unsettled because it’s been so long since it felt natural to admit something like that.

I shouldn’t feel guilty for having fun. And part of me does, but part of me doesn’t. Part of me…reallyenjoyed myself tonight. “Then the ‘big bad bar owner’ had to come break it up.”

Astrid smiles and Dallas just glares in my direction. “Those old men were leaving anyway.”

“Still…”

“Harold, Baron, and Thompson are the sweetest.” Astrid leans forward on the bar. I notice the restaurant has emptied out a bit, so I glance at the clock and realize it’s after ten already.

“They were very nice.” And it felt good to have genuine company for the evening. Most of my evenings at home are spent alone. Hell, I don’t even have a pet to go home to after work. And I thought that’sthe life that suited me, but after a few weeks here, I’m discovering new possibilities.

“Are you ready to go?” Astrid stands up straight again. “I’m almost off and I can give you a ride home.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” Dallas interjects. “You’ve had three martinis. You’re not driving.”

“You’re not my keeper,” I fire back at him, aiming my lingering frustration on the man that has caused it.

“No, but I am the owner of this place and I have a responsibility. I can’t let anyone take a risk like that. Let Astrid drive you home, and you can come get your car tomorrow.”

“But…”

“It will be fine here, Willow. Nothing happens here in Carrington Cove.”

Yeah, nothing but inheriting a house you didn’t want, becoming addicted to delicious blueberry muffins, and salivating over the broody bar owner that is everywhere I go.

With a harsh exhale, I relent. I already planned to get a ride from Tommy—of Tommy’s Taxi and Tours—anyway. But I hate that it feels more like Dallas just trying to boss me around and exude his authority.

It’d be okay if he bossed you around in bed though, right?

“Yeah, I think I’m done for the night.” My brain is obviously being affected by the alcohol as images of Dallas handcuffing me to my bed flash behind my eyelids.

Jesus, get me out of here before I surrender to him in front of all these people.

“Perfect. Let me finish up a few things and then we’ll get going.” Astrid strides away, leaving me alone with Dallas once more.

“How are the geese?” he asks, which confuses me at first. Then my mind catches up.

“Oh, well, I think they’re starting to like the scarecrow. They ventured up on the deck again yesterday.”

“You might need more repellent.”

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