Page 121 of Square Deal

“Maybe not,” he clipped, rising to his feet and moseying over to the bartender to square up. “But you can stop acting like an entitled prick whose shit doesn’t stink and give Beaufort a chance.”

I watched him wrap an arm around Maddie and squeeze her ass before they headed out the door.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked across the bar. Hannah was securing her pool stick back in the rack. I settled my hands on her exposed waist and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“Hey.” She smiled. “Wanna play?”

I pushed her against the wall, pinning her down with my hips. I cradled her cheeks in my hands and kissed her. “I can think of something else I’d rather do.”

“Me?” she guessed.

I grinned against her lips before grabbing her hand and dragging her to the middle of the empty dance floor. The bartender shouted something about ‘last call,’ but I wasn’t the least bit concerned. If he tried to throw us out, I’d buy the bar and then fire him.

“Dance with me.” It wasn’t a request.

She rested one hand on top of my shoulder and laced the other with mine. I slid my hand onto the exposed skin on the small of her back and pulled her flush against me. We swayed to whatever old country song was playing.

It was different than when we danced together at Maddie and Luca’s wedding. Back then, I wanted her in my bed. Now, I just wanted her.

“You ready to call it a night, Princess?” I asked.

She smiled softly. “Are you afraid I’ll turn into a pumpkin?”

“Something like that.” I rested my forehead on hers. “You look adorable. Probably should’ve told you that earlier.” I tugged on the knotted flannel between her breasts. “I like this.”

She shrugged. “I can get away with it since I basically have no boobs.”

I cracked a smile. “A mouthful is a mouthful.” Hannah giggled, and I pulled her closer. “I love your tits,” I added.

The song switched over, but we didn’t stop dancing. All aroundus, the last remaining patrons filtered out, and the bartender started flipping chairs on top of the tables.

“Thanks for being here tonight,” she said softly.

I kissed the top of her head. Her hair smelled like strawberries. It was surprisingly sweet, but I couldn’t think of anything I liked more. “I, uh, I’ll try to be a little more inconspicuous next time. Leave the suit at home.”

She wrapped my necktie around her hand and tugged me down to her eye level. “I like you just the way you are.”

“I don’t exactly fit in here,” I admitted.

“Neither do I,” she countered. “But they made space for me anyway. There’s space for you here, too. You just have to want to be a part.”

I knew what she was getting at. I had been officially inducted into the poker club—polar plunge and all—but I rarely showed up for poker night. I was in their group text, but I didn’t contribute much of anything.

I knew everyone’s names and who was with whom, but they were still Hannah’s friends. And Luca—he made it clear where his loyalty was.

I tried to pay for her, but she fought me on it.

“You know,” Hannah said as she cleared her tab. “That’s twice tonight that you’ve referred to my house ashome.”

I hummed something noncommittal. “I hadn’t noticed.”

I had noticed, and it made me throw up in my mouth every time I said it.

I opened the door to Hannah’s car and let her get in before walking around to the driver’s side and getting behind the wheel.

“So, I have a weekend off coming up,” Hannah said as I crossed the little bridge into downtown Beaufort.

That piqued my interest. “Really?”

---