Page 52 of Worth the Wait

My jaw instantly clenched as the photographs of her and that guy flashed in my mind. “Just don’t tell her.”

He turned serious and put his hand on my shoulder. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“A few more of those, and you might.” I nodded toward his drink, which had been refilled, thanks to a certain bartender.

“I think Bells might be trying to kill me,” he said as he glanced at the glass.

“Or ensuring that your dick won’t work if you try to use it later,” I said with half a grin.

“She would never.” Matthew’s blue eyes grew wide.

“I think she would,” I answered with a laugh. “Can you blame her?”

If torturing Matthew was Bella’s new favorite pastime, I might have to start hanging at the saloon more often, just to witness it. It would be a hell of a lot more fun than what I’d be going through once Addi left again.

LIFE IN SUGAR MOUNTAIN

ADDISON

Patrick and Matthew had been huddled together for an uncomfortable length of time. They were talking so softly that even in my attempt to eavesdrop, I couldn’t make out a single word they were saying. Thankfully, Bella reappeared with two new drinks and distracted me from my mission. She gently slid them toward me and my sister, careful not to spill a drop. The rim of the glass was decorated with gold and white sparkles.

“Which one is this?” I took a sip, breathing in the sweet vanilla scent.

It was just as delicious as the last one had been, but it was a little too sweet for me.

“It’s the sugar cookie martini. It’s good, right?” Bella wiped her hands on a towel before putting it down.

“So good,” Sarina said as she took another drink. “You are really talented.”

“Thanks,” Bella said, but I could tell that she wasn’t entirely comfortable with my sister being in the bar and the attention Matthew kept giving her.

I understood completely. If Patrick were in here, flirting with some other woman right in front of me, I wasn’t sure I could keep my composure. Bella held it together far better than I ever would.

“I’m gonna head home. Jasper’s there alone ’cause Bella won’t let me bring him in here,” Patrick announced as he stood up to leave.

My heart started pounding inside my chest.

Bella rolled her eyes. “He’s a dog, Patrick. This is a bar.”

My eyes scanned the length of my ex-boyfriend’s body.Worst title ever.My fingers still itched to run themselves through his long and shaggy hair. I didn’t even mind the length. And the beard that was growing was so freaking hot. Maybe the Christmas cosmo had gone to my head. Or maybe I just really missed him.

“It was good to see you,” I said as he leaned down to give me an awkward hug.

His lips pressed against the side of my head, and I felt his warm breath near my ear as I braced for whatever he was about to say to me, but no words came.

Then, he was gone.

“You okay?” Sarina nudged me with her shoulder.

I nodded, my eyes meeting both Bella’s and Matthew’s, who looked at me with so much sadness that it practically filled the saloon.

“Stop, you two. Don’t look at me like that.” I reached for my glass and slid it toward my sister so she would finish it.

I really shouldn’t drink any more alcohol if I wanted to keep a clear head—not to mention drive us back home safely.

“Maybe we should go do that shopping now?” I asked Sarina, and she reached for my glass and finished it off in one gulp.

“Sounds good to me.” She shrugged like she didn’t have a care in the world. “It was nice to meet you both.”

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