Page 144 of Movers and Shakers

“Me either,” I said. “I promise you that.”

She seemed pleased and walked over to have Lila sign something. I let out a breath of relief.

Lila chatted with everyone, including getting caught up in a conversation with Lynn about hair care. I lingered on the sidelines.

“So, everything work out like you hoped?” Tom asked. I had completely forgotten about telling him anything that had happened.

“Yeah, I’m happy with it.”

“Good. That’s all we wanted for you, Barry.”

When we got back, it was late, and Rose went upstairs, saying she had a song idea she wanted to write down. As much as I wanted to go and help her, there was something else I needed to do.

I’d promised that I would ask Liam and Audrey if they would be okay with me going to LA for a few weeks. I doubted it, considering the line that spilled out into the street. I’d only left them for a few days before, and even then, it had been nerve-racking to come back.

Audrey was heatedly discussing something with a bouncer, her brow furrowed. When I saw her expression, I knew nothing good could be happening.

“What’s going on?”

She looked up, mouth still pressed into a thin line. “Some woman was way too drunk. She got angry when we cut her off. Don’t worry about it. I have it taken care of.”

“Still, I—‍”

“It’s all good,” she said, shaking her head. “Now, what did you come over here for? Do you need me for something?”

“Yes, but more for a talk. I need you and Liam for this.”

“All right. Let me get him.”

“Where is he? I didn’t see him at the bar.”

“He put one of the new guys you hired on it. The coolerdesperatelyneeded organizing.” She waved for me to follow her, but I had to take a second. The cooler had been on my to-do list since I returned from LA. I hadn’t even asked Liam to work on it.

Was I paying them enough? Maybe they needed another raise.

“Oh, hey!” Liam said, a bright smile on his face as he popped out of the walk-in cooler. “I thought I heard you come in.”

“I can’t believe you’re not dancing tonight.”

“And miss out on being in a literal cooler? I’m good. Besides, Jeremy’s incredible anyway.”

I’d known he would be. I was good at sniffing out new hires who would be perfect for the team.

And I wouldn’t be able to do that in LA.Fuck.Just another reason that made me have to stay.

“I believe you have something to bring up with us?” Audrey asked.

Shit.Right. The thing I’d been dreading.

Clearing my throat, I said, “So maybe you were right.”

“You’ll have to be more specific,” Liam said. “There’re a lot of things Audrey’s right about.”

She preened under the praise. “You know me so well.”

I sighed, knowing she’d be like Ruth and not make admitting this easy at all. “You were right about me having another chance atsomethingin LA.”

Both of them froze for a moment. “What is it?” Audrey asked.

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