Page 16 of Movers and Shakers

He was back within five minutes.

“Sorry about him. Can I get you a drink? On the house.”

“You don’t have to give me a free drink,” I said, shaking my head. My hands buzzed with nervous energy and I twirled my hair through my fingers. His eyes caught on my movements and I stilled immediately.

Some saw it as flirting. I did it all the time. It was the one thing I allowed to be the same between Lila and Rose.

“I pride myself on not letting tools like that mess with people. When they do, the people who get messed with get a free drink.”

His eyes were on me and my heart was in my throat. “They do?”

“Yes. Everyone deserves to have a good time,” he said, his lips turning upward. GoodGod.His smile had to be illegal. “Now, about that drink?”

His focus on me never wavered. My heart lurched. I watched him closely, looking for any sign that he knew who I was.

But he was as reserved as ever.

“Sparkling water.”

He nodded and walked behind the bar. I regretted my drink choice as soon as I said it.

“Can I also get cranberry juice in it?” I asked. He paused, and I wondered if he would remember that cranberry juice and soda water were Lila’s drink of choice. He finally nodded. I chewed on my lip as I watched him.

How could I have been sostupid?Anyone knowing who I was would ruin everything.

“So, who do I thank for this drink?” I asked when he returned. I obviously knew his name, but I desperately needed to cover for myself.

“Barry.”

“Thank you, Barry. For the drink and for telling off that guy.”

“It was nothing. I don’t like it when people don’t respect a no.”

“Me either,” I said. “I’m just here to dance. And see you perform, apparently. You’re incredible.”

“I can hold a tune. I was only a stand-in for the night.”

“The crowd loved you.” The words came out flirtier than I meant them to. I needed to divert before I accidentally gave him the wrong idea. “So . . . will your boss be mad that you gave away a free drink?”

“Considering I own the place, no.”

It wasn’t a surprise since I already knew, and yet it still sounded like such a feat for him to have built this bar. “What are you, like, twenty-five? Is that even possible?”

“Twenty-six.”

“Only four years younger than me,” I said.

He smiled, but his eyes shot back to the bar. I knew he was about to leave. My heart sank. He hadn’t been like this with Lila at all.

“Enjoy your night.”

His reservation made me desperate.

“I’m Rose, by the way.”

He turned and I held out a hand.

“Nice to meet you, Rose.” We shook and I wondered if he felt the same electricity that I did.

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