Page 2 of Noah

I smiled and extended my hand. "Noah."

Brody hesitated but then accepted my handshake. My heart thundered as he held my hand for far too long. He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing, darted his tongue across his lower lip, and then released my hand. As if the prolonged contact had embarrassed him, he stared down at his drink. I moved to the computer and placed his order.

Liam nudged me. "Did he actually speak to you?"

"Briefly."

"Looked like more than I've ever gotten out of him." Liam dried a glass with a bar towel and set it on the bar top. "He sure likes to keep his eyes on you."

"Pfft. Not many places to look when he's facing the bar."

"Keep telling yourself that but he doesn't keep sneaking glances at me." A smile burst across Liam's face. "And that is incredibly unusual."

I laughed. "Conceited bastard."

Liam jostled me, smirking. "Admit it. You think I'm beautiful."

"A beautiful pain in my ass."

"You love me."

"Did you ever offer me a choice?" I grasped the back of Liam's neck. "You know I do."

The bar humming along, I took a step back, crossed my arms, and gazed out across the crowds of patrons from one end of the pub to the other. It's not what my parents wanted for me but most days, my decision to open a pub made me happy. Rather than follow in my parents' and siblings' footsteps, I'd bucked the trend and not become a corporate lawyer and joined the family law firm. It had caused friction over the years, and I often second-guessed myself.

Had I done the right thing?

Looking around right now, though—in this moment, I loved it. My heart was here. Beating in the centre of these four walls. But is that slice of joy a measure of success?

The pub needed a lot of work still to make it perfect. The entire space needed to be painted but that would be impossible unless we closed for a few days. Same with the upholstery on the booth seating and the leather on the stools. It all needed to be redone. Even the glasses needed to be replaced. They were there from the previous owner, and some were becoming slightly foggy.

I didn't have enough money for any of it.

I made my way back to Brody and set a roll of cutlery, a small plate, and a packaged wet wipe in front of him. He chanced a glance at me. Then back to his drink.

"Thank you."

"Sure thing, handsome."

Mm. Now that was a thing of beauty. My term of endearment had caused a rosy flush to colour Brody's cheeks. I wondered how far down his chest that bloom descended.

One of the food runners placed Brody's plate of wings on the bar top.

"Enjoy," I said and left him to it, sensing his attention was on my ass as I walked away—if Liam was correct, and Brody was watching me. If I had to read him, I'd label him gay or bi-curious.

Not interested.

I liked my guys experienced. When I was in my 20s, I loved popping guys' gay sex cherries, but now in my mid-30s, I liked to get busy with someone who knew what they were doing.

I looked over my shoulder at Brody.

Then why is he doing it for me?

I almost missed his exit from the pub an hour later. He stood at the edge of the bar, his hands resting on it. Three strong inhales and exhales as he watched me, and then he turned and left.

Strange guy.

Last call came at half past midnight. We were open until one, but I wouldn't be closing tonight. Maddy had drawn the short straw. There was always paperwork to be done but I'd been working since eight this morning. At 1:20, Liam and I ducked out into the cold, damp autumn night.

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