Page 23 of Tackle

“How’d you learn to do all that?” Emerson asked, impressed.

He chuckled, sending a bottle flying through the air only to catch it behind his back. “Ever see the movie Cocktail?”

Emerson thought for a second. “It’s a little before my time, but I think I’ve seen it.”

“Well, I’ve seen it about twenty times.” When she raised her brows, he defended, “What? It’s a cult classic. Not to mention, Tom Cruise is the bomb. He had some wicked moves.”

She wasn’t sure she agreed with the cult classic reference, but she did agree Tom Cruise was the bomb.

Emerson crossed her arms over her chest. “So are you telling me, you learned all those slick moves from a movie?”

Matt snorted. “Hardly. My skills came from countless hours of practice and getting awfully damn tired of sweeping up glass.”

Chuckling, Emerson’s attention was drawn to the front door as it opened. Knowing it was about time for Oz’s arrival, her eyes didn't stray from the backlit silhouette walking through. Even unable to make out any features, the sheer size of the body told her it was Oz. Excitement filled her, so much so, she knew it showed.

He smiled when his gaze found her, but it soon faltered when it locked on Matt standing behind her.

He didn’t go to his usual table, but directly to the bar, taking a seat on the end stool.

She made her way over to him.

His eyes had yet to leave Matt, who was involved with a customer and oblivious he was the target of a testosterone-fueled death ray.

“Who’s the guy?”

“Well, hello to you too.”

That got her his gaze and a sheepish smile. “Sorry. Hello, beautiful.” His smile fell. “Now, who’s the guy.”

Laughing, she shook her head at his one-track mind. “His name is Matt. I hired him today.”

Oz’s brows furrowed until they practically met in the middle. His glare moved back to Matt. “To do what?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and jutted a hip. Not that Oz noticed, so focused on Matt. “Well, I would think it was obvious. To improve the view of course.”

His head swung back to her so fast, she was surprised he didn’t give himself whiplash. “What?”

She laughed again, uncrossing her arms and moving directly in front of him, blocking his view. “I hired him to give me some time off.” She leaned her elbows on the bar and poked him in the chest for emphasis. “Time to spend withyou.”

Her ploy didn’t work. Getting a troubled look in his eyes, they roamed over her shoulder to land back on Matt. She also noticed a slight tightening of his jaw. “Heisa good-looking guy.”

She took a small sidestep to gain his attention. “He is.” His lips pursed. “But,” she stressed, “nowhere near as handsome as you.”

His eyes widened.

Her lips tipped into a slow smile. “Or as sexy. That’s a deadly combination.”

Matt seemingly forgotten, his features relaxed, and a little smirk pulled at his lips. “What was that you were saying about spending time with me?”

Her smile broadened and she was about to answer when they heard a shouted, “Holy shit!”

Guess Matt had noticed who she was talking with.

Masking her annoyance at being interrupted just when her and Oz’s conversation was getting good, she stood from the bar, looking over her shoulder. Matt’s exclamation had drawn all eyes. Word had gotten out that Oz was a frequent visitor to the pub so no one was surprised to find him sitting in their midst.

No one except her new hire.

Watching him make his way over, she gave him a pass for neglecting his work. After all, who could blame him? She did it every day when Oz came around too.

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