Page 85 of Finding Emotion

Chapter 31

Damon sipped his drink as the laughter of his friends swirled around him. Skylar leaned against him, her lips brushing his ear. “Do I get to meet the tipsy Mr. Sweetface again?”

She lifted one of the sweet potato fries, her lips closing around it as she backed off with a laugh.

“Made him blush again?” Blake snickered as he leaned over where Katie sat at the bar to shout, “Hey, beer me, Mal!” The baby he was wearing almost got a fistful of her mom’s hair, but Katie handed her a finger to grip instead.

Malcolm slapped his rag down on the bar, stalking over. “You know what? You’re cut off every time you say that now.”

Trenton laughed at Blake’s crestfallen face. “You can’t say he hasn’t warned you.” His eyes followed Celia, where she moved among the customer tables.

Malcolm’s gaze followed his, his eyes softening. “She really is the best waitress,” he murmured.

Jami laughed from a stool behind the register. “Way better than me, you mean.”

He moved to her side. “You’re good at other things.”

Damon was glad he wasn’t the only one blushing in the tavern.

Skylar laughed. “Damn, Muscles! I’m fine just imagining you and my sister fucking, though if you want to provide more details…”

Malcolm straightened. “I didn’t mean—”

“Sure you didn’t,” Blake said. “The bar doesn’t hide your erections as often as you think it does.”

“Christ, Blake.” Malcolm glared at him.

Jami pulled him down for a quick kiss. “I am good at other things,” she murmured against his lips. Malcolm’s eyes focused on hers in an intense way that felt familiar to Damon.

He glanced at Skylar, liking the natural curve of her lips.

“I just reached ‘the end’ of my first novel,” Jami said, her fingers playing with Malcolm’s curly, black ponytail at the nape of his neck before pulling away. “That’s all I meant.”

“Congrats, Jame!” Skylar said, first among a chorus of the same. “I knew you had it in you.”

Jami smiled back. “Thanks for the nudge, sis.”

“Anytime,” Skylar said, her fingers tapping on her leg under the bar, but Damon was the only one who could see it. “I enjoy pushing people.”

Jami’s joy faded a little. “Do you need that push back?”

Skylar shook her head. “Trenton found a path forward for me.” She glanced down the bar.

Trenton toasted her with his gin and tonic. “Happy to do it.” But his eyes were all for his wife.

Blake shifted toward his friend. “You always did like to check Celia’s ass out while she worked,” he failed to whisper.

Trenton flushed, but didn’t deny the words.

The bell rang over the door as Erin laughed her way inside, her husband following, his eyes on her. Damon was happy for his sister as she winked back at her husband. “I stand by what I said.” She faced the bar, her long-legged stride closing the distance. “This party already started without us?”

“You’re an hour late.” Katie rolled her eyes at her best friend. “I’m so glad I left the office when I did.”

Erin shrugged. “Nicholas has a thing for doing it there.”

Damon tried to close his ears. He could know his sister had a sex life without picturing the details.

“Christ, Erin,” Katie groaned. She bounced the little baby hand that still clutched onto her.

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