Page 62 of Until Bax

“I’m just annoyed.” I take a sip of the martini Rebecca hands to me when her phone starts to ring.

“Just try to enjoy your night, baby.”

“I’ll try.” I watch Rebecca answer the call and hear her tell whoever she’s talking to what bar we are at.

“Is that Liam?” I ask her, and when she nods, I let out a quiet groan.

“What happened?” Bax asks.

“Liam called Rebecca, and she told him where we are. I’m guessing we have about thirty minutes before he shows up here.”

“Are you still at the bar I dropped you two off at?”

“Yeah,” I reply.

“I’m on my way.”

“I don’t know if that’s?—”

“I’m on my way. See you soon.” He hangs up, and I let out a frustrated breath.

“Sorry,” Rebecca says quietly, putting her phone back in her bag. “I didn’t even think when he asked where we are.”

“It’s fine.” I take a sip of my drink. “Bax is also on his way.”

“Are they going to be okay around each other?”

“I have no idea, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to need another drink after this one.” I hold my glass up between us.

“Drink up, girl. I’ve got you.”

We both take a seat at the bar and finish our drinks. I don’t order another, but instead, I get a water. I’m already tipsy and will do myself no favors if I’m drunk when Bax and Liam arrive.

Less than thirty minutes later, Bax shows up, and I spot him before he sees me since I’ve been keeping a close eye on the door. I watch him scan the room, looking every bit like he belongs in Nashville. He’s wearing a gray thermal under a plaid flannel, the sleeves of both pushed up his forearms, showing off his tattoos, washed-out blue jeans, and boots on his feet, with a ball cap on.

When his eyes collide with mine across the room, my stomach fills with butterflies. Even though we’ve spent a little time together since Rebecca came into town, that time has been limited, with both of us working yesterday and him wanting me to have quality time with my friend.

He closes the distance between us, and as soon as he’s close, I slide off my stool, and he wraps me in his arms, pressing his lips to the top of my head. My entire being relaxes, and all the anxiety I was feeling melts away as I sink into his embrace.

“You okay?” he asks, touching his fingers to my chin and forcing my gaze up to his.

“Yeah, he hasn’t shown up, so maybe he’s not coming.”

“He’ll be here,” he mutters, leaning down and touching his mouth to mine and his tongue to my bottom lip. When he pulls back, my lashes flutter open, and I find his eyes on my mouth. “You taste sweet. What are you drinking?”

“Lemon drop martinis.” I feel his thumb brush across my bottom lip, and my insides twist into a tight knot.

“You two are sickeningly cute,” Rebecca says behind me, breaking into the moment, and I watch Bax’s lips turn up ever so slightly before I spin to smile at her.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I love this for you.” She waves a hand between Bax and me, and then her eyes go past me and fill with concern.

I don’t even have to look to know that Liam has arrived. I feel the energy shift and get heavy with tension while the man still holding me lets me go, only to wrap his arm around my back and grasp my hip tightly as he turns us.

When I lock eyes with my brother, who is looking between Bax and me, and see how angry he is, I move to put myself between the two of them. But I don’t get very far before I’m pulled back, and Bax’s big, wide shoulders are all I can see.

“You better lock your shit down before you come any closer,” Bax bites out, moving his hand to keep me from stepping around him again, effectively blocking me in with the barstool on the opposite side of us.

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