Page 81 of The Fixer

But then he surprised her—again. “Who says you’re ruining anything? I’m enjoying spending time with you, hearing about your past. That’s the most you’ve ever told me about your personal life, and … I don’t know. I see it as a badge of honor that you trusted me enough to do that.”

Supporting his weight on a fist, he leaned in and ran his fingertip down the bridge of her nose. “And those old hurts? Theydomatter. Maybe they happened to young Joy, but they shaped who you are, and who you are is a kick-ass woman. Don’t beat yourself up because once in a while thosememories decide it’s time for a reunion. We don’t have any control over that.”

Oh my God, this man!Was he real, or a figment of Lacey Dewinter’s imagination? He seemed nothing like the contractor she’d met on the sidewalk in front of Crystal Harmony Haven. Had he changed? Or were her eyes wide open andshewas seeinghimfor the first time? Didn’t matter if it was the alcohol swimming in her system that gave her the vision. Clarity surged inside of her, and the empowerment it carried made her giddy.

“This is the part where my therapist would add, ‘But we can control how we react.’”

“Sounds like something practical my mom would say.”

Joy’s shoulders had been bracketing her ears, and now they eased as the conversation drifted away from past heartaches. “She seems nice from what I’ve heard about her, your mom.”

“Yeah, she’s the best mom I’ve ever had.”

A laugh bubbled up inside her. “You’re lucky that you’re surrounded by good people.”

“They’re not all good, and it’s not all luck, but that’s a choice too.” Eyes sliding to the side, he pursed his lips, suddenly far away. Where had he gone? And just like that, he was back, his casual gaze back on her. “Of the people in your life, who would you keep?”

“I’d keep Hailey,” Joy blurted out.

A chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Hailey’s definitely a keeper.”

“I’d also keep Estelle.”

“Who’s Estelle?”

“She’s my assistant back in Chicago. I-I’m not always nice to her, but she gives it right back. She’s also one of the biggest-hearted, most patient people I know, which is probably why she hasn’t fired me as a boss yet.”

“Are you friends?”

Joy tilted her head. “I think so. In fact, she might be my best friend, which is a weird thing to say about someone who works for you. And now I’m babbling.”

“I like hearing you babble.”

Joy’s heart swelled, and she squirmed in her seat like a teenager. Unsure what else to do with them, she shoved her hands under her butt again. Andthiswas the kick-ass woman Charlie referred to? Ha!

Beats of silence passed where the only sound was laughter and the thumping bass spilling from the bar. Where moments earlier she had felt liberated, her confidence now wavered, as it had for days. Her nerves grew a little more frayed. Charlie stared out the window again, and she studied his strong profile, his square jawline. What was he thinking? Probably that he wanted to hurry up and get this evening over with.

Chapter 23

Your Signal Lamp Is Rusty

The conversation drifted intolighter topics, like how Joy had wound up in Chicago as an M&A broker, Charlie’s and his brothers’ antics growing up, and attractions in Colorado’s state and national parks. Subjects that were non-threatening yet captured her interest and kept her mind from sinking into a beer-laden haze. As the dialog flowed easier between them, laughter followed. She couldn’t remember laughing so much with one person before, and she savored the exhilarating rush of endorphins throughout her body.

They had just ended a conversation about his dogs when a couple stumbled from the Silver Lode and started making out against the building. They were all hands and limbs and mouths, and Joy felt another pang of envy. She also felt awkwardness creep over her. Mercifully, the pair stumbled into the shadows and were swallowed up.

Charlie cleared his throat. “Looks like someone’s having fun in this nothing town.”

She slid her hands out from under her butt, propped her elbow on the arm rest, and rested her cheek in her palm. “I had fun. I’ll give you that it’s not much of a town, but I enjoyed watching the people at the bar. For me, the icing on the cake was dancing and getting to watch you play and strut your stuff on stage. It was a good time.” Even the secondhand clothes made her feel more festive.

“Yeah?”

“I know. It surprises me too. Lots of surprises tonight.” She grinned at him. “So what do we do now?”

“We wait until you’re a hundred percent sober or you decide to let me drive. How about some water?”

“I’d rather have a beer.”

“I thought you were strictly a wine girl.”

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