Page 72 of Finding Our Reality

She sighs. “Fine. Are you coming to the bar tonight? Will you be there?”

“Meaning, will I be there with you?”

She shrugs, trying to act nonchalant. “Well, sure. I just told you I would be there.”

I take a step forward, crowding her once again with my body. Before she has time to react, I bend my head, whispering against the shell of her ear. She loves it when I do that. At least she used to, so I’m assuming I still have that effect on her. “Of course, I should always be where you are. Maybe that should be our new rule. We always had rules for our games, didn’t we?”

Walking backward, I watch as her closed eyes open. Her entire face is relaxed, and her mouth is parted. What I wouldn’t give to take her, right here, right now. Make her mine,showher she’s mine.

Nodding her head, she turns and climbs into the back of her aunt’s car.

Looks like I’m going to the bar tonight. Mowing the yard will have to wait until tomorrow.

***

I take a seat next to Ray, shaking his hand, and then I lean across the bar, grabbing Holt’s attention. “Surprised to see you behind the bar. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, Cullen had to work an event for his father tonight so I told him I would fill in.” He places a beer bottle in front of me. “Will has another bartender coming in to help too. The band will be starting in about an hour. They’re good. You should stick around.”

Ray chuckles underneath his breath. I can only assume he talked to Teresa and knows that I plan on sticking around until my woman gets here.

I tip my beer to Holt. “I told him before that he can always ask me for help when Cullen is out doing a catering thing with his dad. I don’t know how to mix drinks, but I know how to use a bottle opener.”

“It’s fine, man. I was gonna be here anyway. Might as well earn my keep a little bit.”

Ray and I spend the next forty-five minutes chatting. It’s the most I’ve talked to him in twelve years, and I really enjoy it. Turns out, I missed him too. Maybe that’s why my friendship with Will grew so much. I wasn’t only looking for a connection to Lulu, but to Ray and Teresa as well.

Holt and Will are serving some customers right next to me and Ray when I feel that familiar shift in the air, the one that lets me know My Lulu is close by. Turning on my stool, I watch as Teresa, Raylee, and Lulu walk in the bar. And I watch as two different guys check out My Lulu, stirring jealousy deep in the pit of my stomach.

Ray and I immediately stand, offering our seats to the ladies. All the other barstools are occupied so Lulu opts to stand, giving her aunt and cousin the seats at the bar. Raylee stands on the footrests and leans over the bar, planting a long, sexy kiss on her husband. Will immediately starts laughing. “Well, someone tastes like vodka. Drinks at dinner, my little wife?”

“Yep! Shelly already agreed to spend the night so she can get up with the kids first thing tomorrow.”

“So, this ‘Girls’ Night’ also means I have to pay a babysitter double time to spend the night at my house? You’re costing me a small fortune tonight, woman.”

“Well, maybe you’ll get lucky. I’d like to get lucky. Multiple times,” Raylee says with a wink.

The look on Holt’s face is priceless. “Dad, seriously, you’re gonna let your little girl talk like that?”

“Son, your sister hasn’t been a little girl since the day she could speak.”

“I completely agree.” The new addition to our group takes us by surprise.

“Ridge!” Raylee covers him in a hug.

Holt leans over, shaking his hand. “I thought you were helping your dad.”

“I was,” Ridge points to his white button-up and black slacks, “but Cullen has it all handled. You know that kid is like a powerhouse.”

Lulu leans over, wrapping him in a hug. “Well, it’s good you came out for the fun.”

Fortunately, Ridge doesn’t do anything that could get his ass kicked—like sniff her hair or hold her too close or fondle her backside. I’d hate to have to ruin this night before it even begins.

“Speaking of people coming out for fun,” Will points toward the back of the bar. “Kristie’s here. And I’ve already had to stop serving her.”

When Lulu turns to peer over my shoulder, her hip brushes against my side. “She’s already that drunk?”

“Yeah. She must’ve been drinking before she got here. I sold her one beer before I realized how intoxicated she was. I told her no more. But she’s bad to send guys up here to buy her drinks.”

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