Page 77 of Love Her

Shrugging, he stops shy of the bar and looks toward the large group of friends sitting on the far end of the room. The group is loud and boisterous. It’s everything Taylor hates. Not that he doesn’t like his friends, he just prefers to spend his nights at home with his family and his massive television.

“Will you send over a few pitchers and some grub?”

“Sure thing. Go on and be social. I’ve got you covered.”

Quickly I send an order to the kitchen for an assortment of appetizers before turning my attention to drinks. Most of the group likes the same beer so it’s easy to put an order together for them along with sparkling waters for Dakota and Ashton. Owen is the only one with a favorite, so I pull a bucket and fill it with ice and a few bottles of his preferred IPA. Once the pitchers are poured and glasses set on counter, I motion for one of the cocktail waitresses to help me carry everything.

As I approach the table, the one person I never expected to see here is sitting next to Addy. Painted red lips. Tight T-shirt.

“Hey man, thanks for thinking of me. I knew I was your favorite.” Owen slaps me hard on the back, causing me to stumble.

Glasses clank and the chatter of conversation surrounds the table. It’s all white noise to me. She’s here. At Country Road. She told me numerous times she would never come in here.

“Hey,” she says. I can’t hear her, but I can read her lips.

“Hey.”

A tap to my shoulder pulls my attention from Lis, and I turn to face one of the waitresses. “What’s up?”

“I need some change. Who knew tonight was pay with cash night?”

“Yeah okay.” Turning back to the group I say, “Let me know if you guys need anything else. Some food is coming out in about ten.”

A roar of approval comes from the group and I laugh to myself at how extremely uncomfortable Taylor is tonight. Returning to my duties, I sling drinks, pay a little but not too much attention to the female customers, and keep one eye on the group across the room. The girls have been off dancing while a few of the guys have moved over to the pool tables. I’ve not been back to the table but most of the guys have been up to the bar for refills.

“So, are you going to talk to her or just stand here all night creepily staring?”

Ignoring her question, I continue to wipe down the bar and fill the dishwasher with glasses. I know more than to expect Ashton to walk away and leave things alone, yet here I stand hoping she does just that.

“Don’t make me come behind that bar to get your attention.”

I toss the towel onto the bar and lift my eyes to find her smirking. “Ash, please leave this be.”

“Nope. I have like twenty years of being a pain-in-the-ass friend to make up for. Who knew I’d like her so much? Certainly not me. Anyway, you’re a mess, she’s really a mess and y’all need to talk. So, go over there, ask your girl to dance, and tell her you love her for goodness sake.”

She’s right. Fuck it.

Rounding the bar, I take long strides across the room to where Lis is talking to Addy and Minnie. This is the first time I’ve really seen her standing, and I realize she’s wearing the cut off shorts and boots like the first night I met her at Doris’s Tavern. Since her back is to me, she doesn’t hear me coming. Piper and Scarlett on the other hand do and the smiles on their faces give me away. Spinning on her heel quickly, she stands still as a statue as I approach.

“Connor,” she whispers.

“Hey, darlin’. How about a dance?”

Her shoulders relax and she sighs, eyes dropping to the floor. Maybe the darlin’ was too much.

When her head lifts, the smile on her face hits me in the chest. Straight to the heart. All the emptiness I’ve dealt with these last few weeks is gone. For the first time since that day at her mom’s store, I can breathe.

“Okay.”

Taking her hand, I lead us through the crowd to the dance floor. The song is ending and like it was planned, or as though Ashton is the one controlling the music, the opening chords of Rumor by Lee Brice waft from the speakers. Spinning her out, I watch as a bright smile splits her face. Laughing when she lands close to me, I don’t release the tight hold I have on her. Slowly, we begin to sway.

Looking down at her, it takes all of my self-control not to capture her mouth. To pour my apology and declarations into a kiss.

“You’re in Country Road.”

Her nose scrunches adorably and I squeeze her tighter. “It was time for me to put the past behind me. If I want this town to see me differently, I need to be better. Try harder. Plus, Ashton is a real ball-buster.”

We both laugh, arms wrapped around one another as we move to the beat.

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