Page 3 of Hazy Shade of Winter

"There is that. So you could say my singing is good for business."

"I wouldn't go that far." I tease. The awkwardness of our initial meeting is replaced by fun, easy banter and I can't help wish for more from Hazel. But I saw what a relationship with a travelnurse did to Travis, I can't risk my heart on someone I can't have. A friendship is all it can ever be.

three

Hazel

He's perfect. Forget drowningmyself in alcohol after that performance—I would rather drown myself in the mossy green of his eyes. Or better yet, lose myself in his strong arms. It felt so natural to have them wrapped around me when I accidently tripped and he caught me. I had to step out of his hold before I did something crazy like run my fingers through his chocolate brown hair or rubbed my cheek against his soft looking beard.

I don't know where these thoughts are coming from—I'm not that girl. I don't go lusting after strangers. A lot of people think because I'm a travel nurse who moves from town to town, that Ido the same with guys. But the truth is I'm a never been kissed, twenty four year old virgin.

Crazy, right? I haven't found anyone I trusted enough to give that part of myself to, until now.

"I should probably get back." Turner nods to the bar where a crowd is lined up three deep for service while the guys behind the bar struggle to keep up.

Not wanting my time with Turner to end, I offer to help, "I tended bar while I put myself through college. If you want I could help."

"You're here with your friends, I don't want to make you work. But I appreciate your offer."

I don't miss the longing look in his eyes, giving me the courage to press on, "It's fine, really. Besides you said it yourself, they're drinking to forget my performance. So since I caused the rush, I'd better help with it." I hold my breath waiting for his response.

With a smile he gives in and I release the held breath, "Okay, but stay next to me behind the bar. The guys can get kind of rowdy."

"They seem pretty tame to me." I glance around the bar at the customers.

"I wasn't talking about the customers—I was talking about my brothers." He nods to the three guys behind the bar, I notice they all have similar features.

"Will do boss." I smile, bumping my hip against his.

Turner shakes his head with a smile, "I have a feeling you might be more trouble than they are."

My heart races, flirting and teasing with Turner feel so right. "Let me tell my friends what I'm doing and I'll meet you at the bar."

I rush over to Sutton only to find her fiancé, Ryan has crashed our girls night along with a group of guys all vying for the attention of the women at our table. The only one who doesn't look comfortable with the attention is Sky. She keeps glancing at the bar as if willing someone to save her.

"Hey Sutton, I'm going to help Turner at the bar." I shout over the loud singing of some cowboys singing about all their ex's living in Texas.

With a knowing smirk Sutton nods.

Unable to leave Sky to fend off the guys by herself, I offer to have her join me at the bar, "Sky, do you want to sit at the bar and keep me company?"

Her face lights up as she jumps out of her chair, "Sure." We grab our coats and purses and head for the bar.

Sky finds a seat at the far end of the bar while I step behind the bar where Turner is standing, "Let me know what you want me to do to you. I mean for you." I silently curse my slip of thetongue as Turner's eyes widen as a snicker comes from next to him.

Turner's look of shock is replace by as scowl as he hits the guy next to him in the shoulder, "Knock it off Tanner."

"What? Our new little helper wants to please you—you should tell her what you want from her." If looks could kill, this Tanner person would be dead already by the death glare coming from Turner.

Turner's gaze softens as he shifts his eyes to mine, "Don't mind my brother Tanner, he's the obnoxious one in the family." Tanner smiles like he's just been named king of the world. "Over there is our other brother Tucker, He's the youngest." He nods to the guy behind the bar closest to where Sky has set up camp for the night. "And over there is our oldest brother and family cynic, Travis." Turner nods at the third guy behind the bar.

Right on cue he looks up from where he's mixing a drink with a scowl. "Are you guys going to stand around all night or are you going to help me serve our customers?" He goes back to measuring the alcohol for each drink he's making dismissing us.

"Ignore him, he's a little salty about his love life." Tanner says, moving closer to me. "Turner told us you have experience behind the bar and are willing to help us out tonight—which we appreciate." He smirks at Turner again, "I'll let Turner show you the ropes." He says before turning back to the surprisingly patient customers waiting for their drinks.

"Your brothers seem nice." I grab a few empty glasses from the bar, taking them to the near by cleaning station and begin washing them, needing to keep my hands busy for fear of giving into the temptation of running my fingers through Turner's thick hair.

"Nice is an overstatement." He snorts grabbing the rest of the empty glasses off the bar. "They're more like grumpy," he points at Travis with his permanent scowl still in place. "Bashful," his finger swings to where Tucker is standing trying to mix a drink but his eyes keep straying to Sky. "And Dopey." His finger shifts to Tanner who in fact is making some joke causing the customers in his section to laugh.

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