Page 13 of A Secret Crush Valentine's

Damon wanted to point out that he’d never been interested in any of them and that he’d only had eyes for her, but he decided to let the matter rest. Better that than for her to find out about the Collectors.

After so long, he’d finally got her back. And in the twinkle of an eye, he could lose the woman he wanted more than anything.All he had to do was say the wrong words. Or make the wrong choice.

“This way,” he said, pointing. “If I remember correctly, there’s a tavern in the next street.”

They turned, and sure enough, there it was.

“Well, that’s an underwhelming sight,” Julia commented with sarcasm. “I bet business is really booming.”

Indeed, the tavern was the size of a cabin, smaller than any of the establishments back in Laudville, that was for sure. The building slanted precariously to one side; in fact, it was a small miracle it hadn’t toppled over completely.

“It’s not exactly a business. Money doesn’t exist on Frost Mountain, not as a concept, at least. Most people work for favors and supplies or simply in service of their community.”

“Karl Marx would be proud. It sounds almost utopian.”

“Almost,” he told her. “Let’s go inside.”

“What, you only met me today, and already you want to buy me a drink?” She arched an eyebrow at him.

Damon opened his mouth, but no words came out. He climbed the steps to the building, and she followed behind.

He did a quick recon as soon as he was inside, his gaze sweeping around the tavern. It was even uglier on the inside. Customers sat at tables, and a few sat at the counter, drinking and laughing. A man and a woman glanced up as they passed them, but Damon doubted they’d recognize him.

He wasn’tthatpopular, only among a certain caliber of people, people he couldn’t afford to go back to if he had any hope of keeping Julia safe.

The duo approached the counter, where a woman with round eyes, thin brows, and disheveled hair was pouring a drink into a cracked mug. The barmaid handed the drink to the customer, then glanced up and shot Damon a crooked grin.

“What can I get you two?” she asked. “Don’t reckon you’re from around here.”

“Something like that, Angela.” Damon leaned closer. “Any chance you could get us rooms?”

The woman’s thin eyebrows knit together as if in confusion. “This is a bar. If you’re looking for a place to stay, you’ll have to discuss that with the sheriff so he can get you a cabin.”

“We just need a place to spend the night.” Damon flashed her a winning smile. “I’m sure you’ve got a couple of rooms in the back you could spare.”

Angela stared back at him for a moment, and he could practically hear the gears turning in her head. “Fine,” she said finally. “But you’ll need to help me clean up after everyone’s gone. And just so you know, there’s only one room available. I was saving it for some extra hands at the bar. Since you’re so willing to offer your help…”

“We are?” Julia piped up.

“Shh,” Damon told her.

“… I guess I could let you sleep here for tonight. Do we have a deal, big guy?” Angela cocked her head to one side.

“Sure.” Damon’s grin widened.

When the barmaid left the counter to get the room ready for them, Julia turned to Damon, her hands folded across her chest. “How did you know her name?”

Damon hadn’t even realized he’d said her name until now. He shrugged. “I guess I’m just good with names.”

The look Julia shot him told him that she wasn’t buying his excuse. With a sigh, he said, “She’s friends with someone I know, a guy named Rowan Flameheart. She doesn’t know me, but Rowan’s told me about her.”

She sniffed. “She’s kind of cute, don’t you think?”

“Well, I never really thought about it…”

“And she seems into you.”

Damon frowned at her words. “What?”

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