Page 3 of Karma's Kiss

He pulls me into a hug and takes me clear off my feet. My dress rides up and I’m pretty sure I’m flashing my panties to the entire bar, but David just laughs. It’s always been like this with us. David’s four years older than me and twice my size, and he’s never been shy about throwing his weight around. We used to get into all-out brawls over whose turn it was to use the family computer or the house phone, and I’d always end up losing.

He eventually sets me down, but only when he’s good and ready. I’m straightening my hair and adjusting my dress when he says, “Heard you were doing whiskey shots.”

I roll my eyes. “Fireball. Mom’s idea.”

He grins. “Sounds like Queenie.”

“Where’s your better half?” I look behind him, searching the bar for my sister-in-law Lindsey.

“Back home with Cruz. She was sad to miss you. Wanted me to invite you over for dinner soon.”

“Of course. And Cruz’s first birthday is coming up. I’m excited.”

“You gonna be in town for it?” he asks, his brow cocked with surprise.

I toss my hands up in defeat. “Well hell…looks like it.”

Hunter claps David on the shoulder and shakes him with excitement. “Well now there’s a reason to celebrate! Need a beer, Davie? I’m headed to the bar. Next round’s on me ’cause Sawyer just whooped my ass in pool.”

At the mention of his name, I glance back over at Sawyer to see he’s watching our exchange with a cool expression. This setting is really working for him. Hazy low lighting makes him seem more intimidating than he already is, and when his eyeslock with mine, I look away quickly—too quickly—and then I hate myself for it.

It’s just Sawyer.

Since when am I shy around Sawyer? Oh right, since always.

My older brother’s best friend always had this effect on me when I was growing up, but I never put much stock in it. He had that effect oneveryone, including my best friend Kendra who was certifiably obsessed with Sawyer; in her eyes, no one could ever measure up. She wasn’t alone. Our entire town was head over heels for him, but within our friend group, Kendra laid claim to him early and protected that claim with a tenacious fortitude that would have made Napoleon proud.

I would have thought time away from Oak Hill and a full-fledged serious relationship with another man would have dulled some of Sawyer’s magnetism, but I guess not. How…unfortunate.

“Actually I’ll go with you,” David tells Hunter. “Don’t trust you to make it back with the drinks anytime soon.”

“What? You sayin’ I’m not good for a beer?”

David’s already pushing him out of the pool room. “I’m saying you’re the most annoyingly outgoing person I’ve ever met and it takes you thirty minutes to walk through a room ’cause you want to stop and yap with everybody.”

Hunter snorts. “Look who’s talkin’,Mr. Eagle!”

I can’t help but laugh at the mention of David’s old high school superlative.

They head out of the room as David replies, “That’s right. I’m practically royalty, and it’s time you start acting like it…”

I’m smiling still as I turn back to Sawyer. It’s just him and me in the back room now, and though the coward in me wants to start taking slow steps back toward the crowded bar, I stay put and ask something I’m curious about. “Did you come here tonight for the welcome home party?”

His smile says,Don’t flatter yourself, darlin’.“I play pool here with the guys most Fridays.”

“So it’s just a case of right place, right time. That’s convenient.”

His eyes spark with interest. “For who?”

I’m ashamed that I blush, just like that, from absolutely nothing except his unwavering gaze pinned right on me. “I just mean…that way you get the gossip firsthand.” I hate that my voice quivers with nerves. I hope he can’t hear it. “Don’t have to wait to hear what everyone’s whispering about tomorrow morning.”

I swear that spark dims a little as he nods in understanding. “I don’t pay much attention to what the town gossips have to say. According to them, you’re in a pitiful state at the moment what with your unexpected heartbreak and all.”

I’m surprised he’s willing to tell me what everyone’s been saying. “What else?”

He lays his cue against the side of the pool table and gets to work racking up the balls. “They wondered if maybe you’ve changed.”

I raise my brows. That’s not so bad. It could be worse.

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