Page 13 of Just My Luck

I’d wasted years of my life not seeing the signs that Jared was a twisted and dangerous man. He’d manipulated and controlled me, and I’d been a willing participant. Once we’d gotten pregnant with the twins, his jealousy over his own children was astounding. He’d been convinced I could never love him as much as I would love the babies.

He was right.

When I realized my sham of a marriage was over, I spent my days in secret, plotting and planning my escape. It wasn’t until we had disappeared to my grandfather’s coastal small town that I ever felt safe. Still, he found us.

I wouldn’t be controlled. I couldn’t. Trouble was, with mounting debt and no way to access the trust that would be our lifeline, I was drowning.

That night I dreamed I was floating away. Ben and Tillie stood on the shores of Outtatowner’s beach, waving as I struggled to swim to them. The tide took me out—farther and farther from them. I screamed and rioted against the crashing waves as they dumped over my head. My arms and legs wereleaden. Water choked me and burned in my lungs. My feet thrashed as a dark figure loomed over my children in the shadows. I screamed, and still no one came. I fought.

Then suddenly a faintly familiar grumble and a strong hand gripped my arm and hauled me ashore.

SIX

ABEL

I didn’t havemany gifts, but avoiding people was one of them. It had been a week since Sloane’s wardrobe malfunction, and I’d spent those days with my head down, escaping any and all interactions with my employee.

What I couldn’t escape was the memory of Sloane’s smooth skin or the curve of her breasts. It was like once I’d seen it, the image lodged in my brain and refused to leave. Even a flash of it running through my mind and my cock would get rock hard.

The incident at the grocery store didn’t help me feel any better about the fact I was obsessing over my gorgeous employee.

A rapid series of knocks pounded at my office door.

I scrubbed a hand over my face and sighed. “Yeah?”

The knob turned, and one of my bartenders, Reina, popped her head in. “We’re swamped out here. Ken was a no-show.” She shot me an irritated look. “Again.”

Frustration grated at my nerves. It was the third time this month Ken didn’t show up for work, and I was definitely going to have to fire the guy. “On my way.”

I looked at the mountains of paperwork I had been going through and let irritation roll over me. I was still desperatelylooking for a loophole in the brewery’s ownership contract, but I’d have to leave that headache for another day.

I walked down the hallway toward the taproom behind Reina. “Hey,” I called to her. “Can you serve?”

She shot me a flat look. I knew she preferred to be behind the bar, but my ass would only scare more customers away, and she knew it.

“The tips are yours,” I added to sweeten the deal.

Her black eyebrows shot up. “Seriously?”

I nodded. I didn’t need the tips from the bar, and not having to be out on the floor was worth giving up the money to her.

She grinned, shoving a fist toward me. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

Unsure what to do, I gripped her fist and shook it. “Okay.”

She laughed and sauntered into the busy taproom. Abel’s Brewery was comfortably busy—not so frantic that we were swamped but welcoming a steady rhythm of customers. A late spring breeze floated off the lake, and I was pleased to see people enjoying the open garage doors and outdoor seating.

Groups of people mingled and laughed. A few had taken board games from the community game shelf and were playing over a few beers. It was the quiet sense of community that drew me in—a community I wasn’t even allowed to be a part of, but enjoyed all the same.

My attention immediately found Sloane. With her back to me, I watched as she effortlessly gathered up used glasses and smiled at our customers. She had a natural and engaging way about her that people were drawn to. Her laughter was light, and her smiles were genuine.

I stood behind the bar and pointed at the man waiting to order. “What do you want?”

He bristled at my clipped question.

I guess I should work on that.

He ordered but cast a wary glance before leaving a few singles on the bar top. I swiped them up and dropped them into the large jar for tips behind the bar. Tending bar was steady and mindless work, so I was careful to allow myself to watch Sloane from only the corners of my gaze.

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