Page 55 of Undone, Love Times Three

“Your stalker is back.”

“Shut up,” I elbow Jacob but turn around to see Daniel coming into the bar.

My staff don’t know what has been going on with him. As in we’ve been out a few more times since our… I’m not calling it a date… when we went rock climbing. Mostly, it’s been about sex. He’s stayed here and I’ve been to his apartment twice over the last week.

We’re having fun. I will not put a label on it. It’s not serious. Not at all.

My heart thumps when I see him, which I try to tamp down because it can’t happen.

He is so effortlessly sexy, in his jeans and black t-shirt. It’s not intentionally tight, but it hugs his biceps and the ridges of his chest muscles.

I’m not expecting him, and I touch my fingers to my throat, feeling the burn of a flush rise on my neck. That smile does things to me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, picking up the tray of glasses ready to be put away beneath the bar. We’re not open yet.

“I was passing by and thought I’d call in and ask you something.”

He leans one elbow against the bar and tucks his sunglasses into the top of his shirt, pulling it down to reveal the hollow of his throat.

“So ask,” I keep working, not wanting to give him my full attention, or let him see he has it.

“The Cubs have a game tomorrow.”

“I’m aware.”

“Do you want to go?”

I raise my chin up in surprise. “You realize I have a bar to run. Game day is always our busiest.”

“Surely that is after the game is over though. I have a box, food, drinks on the house.”

“Are you trying to impress me?”

“Is it working?”

“Not even a little,” I smirk. Daniel’s grin widens and my heart flutters.

“Did you just say you have a box at Wrigley Field? And she can go watch the game tomorrow?” Curtis stops beside him, holding a cleaning cloth in his hand. “Adele, you can’t turn that down.That is like,” he shakes his head as if he can’t think of anything suitably astonished to say.

“Why don’t you go,” I say to him.

“Are you serious?” he turns to Daniel with a hopeful look.

Hiding my smile when Daniel side-eyes me, I get back to emptying the tray.

“No one else is using the box tomorrow so sure, that’s fine with me. If the boss will give you the time off. In fact, open invitation.”

“Holy shit,” Curtis almost hyperventilates. “Adele, come on. You gotta let me go.”

My eyes narrow at Daniel. What is he playing at now? I’ve made it clear he won’t get under my skin.

I don’t begrudge my staff having time off, in fact, I make sure they do so they don’t overwork. Lately, the bar has been so busy it’s barely manageable. The publicity from the fight against Faulkner is having an unexpected boost.

“The game is early, before my shift starts anyway,” Curtis clasps his hands as if begging.

Some of the others are floating around, watching. I chew on my bottom lip as I watch them. He gave an open invite. We can afford to open a little later.

When I turn to Daniel, he has a smug look on his face, like he is reading my mind. I put my hands on my hips and give him a hard stare.

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