Page 2 of Totally Off Limits

“Watch your mouth, Layne.”

With their mother now focused on her brother’s bad behavior, Sierra saw a chance to escape, even if only momentarily, and she snatched her purse off the chair. But, as she turned to head toward the bar, there was no drowning out her mother. “Sierra, I’m not done.”

Barely tilting her head and raising her voice, she didn’t break her stride, even in those ridiculous taupe heels. “I’m thirsty.”

The tables were spaced in such a way that there was room to maneuver, so long as there wasn’t another body in the way or if the assholes here would have pushed in their chairs before hitting the dance floor. But what had she expected? Of course, no one would pay attention to that, because people didn’t come to weddings for entertainment. They came out of obligation. And the only way to get through the torturous hours of the reception was to dance and drink.

Sierra hadn’t been on the dance floor yet and probably wouldn’t…but drinking? Hell, yes.

The poor bartender seemed to be working overtime, but by the looks of the giant tip jar and what Sierra knew of the groom, the guy was likely well-paid. As she stood in line, she tried to remember how her family knew the bride, Katherine Logan, now Katherine Church. Sure, Katie had been their babysitter back when Sierra was nine or ten, but there was some other connection, besides just living in a small town where most people knew each other.

Was it that Katie and Sierra’s dad had worked together? She thought so. Whatever the case, the bride and groom had invited the Hayden family and, of course, her mother had dragged everyone along, including grandma, to the event.

All nine of them, and they took up an entire table.

There were a couple of people waiting for drinks in front of her, so she pulled her phone out of her purse. She’d taken a picture of the bride and groom, trying to feel nothing but happiness for their good fortune, and way too many snapshots of her daughter. Maybe she could get another one of her dancing with grandpa right now if she could spot them on the dance floor. Instead, she got distracted by a text message from an old friend.Great news. I finally got moved to maternity.

With a grin, Sierra typed back.Yay, Cami! I knew you could do it! When do you start? Or have you already?

“What’ll it be, miss?”

Pulling her attention from her phone and tucking it in her purse, Sierra made eye contact with the bartender—and, for one tiny moment, she considered asking for a beer, even knowing her mother would hate seeing the bottle on the table. Frankly, though, it was time to move on to something harder—and she could make it a drink that might be acceptable in appearance to her parents. “How about a martini?”

“Good choice. Classic?”

“I don’t care. Whatever’s got the most alcohol.” While he started pouring various liquids into a shaker, she grabbed a tiny wallet out of her equally tiny purse. How much should she tip someone who was making a free drink? She had no idea, so she pulled out a five-dollar bill and stuffed it in the jar on the counter. There were other bills of that denomination, so she’d be in good company.

“Thanks a bunch. You must be serious about wanting extra alcohol.” The young guy winked at her and she smiled back—but then the presence of another man coming close to the bar caught her attention.

It took her the space of two breaths to fully realize who was standing next to her. His hair was longer and lighter and his facial hair made him appear more rugged—but holy shit. It had to be. If she hadn’t taken so damn long to recognize him, she probably would have darted off to her table, pretending she didn’t know who he was—but it was too late. So she owned it.

“Mickey?” When the man cocked his head, she said, “Mickey Morton?”

A warm smile covered his face, emphasizing the cleft in his chin that she had always found irresistible—and even though it was covered with closely cut whiskers, there was no missing that adorable dimple in his chin. “Yeah, it’s Mickey. And Sierra Hayden. What the hell brings you here?”

“Friend of the bride. You?”

“Friend of the groom.”

Sierra darted a quick glance at the bartender, wishing he’d get that stupid drink mixed already—because the last time she’d seen this irresistibly gorgeous man had been almost four years ago…and after the hottest night of her life, she’d run from his bed without a word.

But she’d never stopped thinking about him.

“I was sorry to hear about your dad’s passing.”

“Hmm. Don’t be. It was bound to happen. It just happened sooner than expected.” The look on his face told her he hadn’t meant to let that slip, but he quickly changed the subject. “How long are you in Winchester for this little shindig, Sierra?”

Cutting to the quick right away. Trying not to frown, she admitted the truth. “Still living here.”

With a quick nod, he said, “It’s not so bad.”

Easy for him to say—he’d obviously gotten away. And, besides,thiswas a good line of conversation, because hewasn’tasking about the last time they’d been together. She asked, “Where’s home foryounowadays anyway?”

Flashing a grin, he took a slight step closer, so close she thought she could feel the heat radiating from his body. Of course, that damn black suit made him look hotter than she would have ever imagined. “I doubt it would impress you if I said I was something of a world traveler.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? It would impress the hell out of me.” And made her marvel a bit. Getting out of Winchester was apparently the best thing Mickey Morton could have ever done for himself. It got the cogs of her brain turning in ways they hadn’t in a long time. “So what do you do nowadays?”

“Martini, miss,” the bartender said, sliding her drink across the small bar on a white cocktail napkin. While she picked up the drink and took a sip, he asked Mickey, “What’ll it be for you, sir?”

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