Page 33 of The Fixer

Her head snapped up, and she flattened her palm against the page. “What?”

He pointed at the notebook. “You’ve had something serious going on with that notebook for a while, and I was just curious about what you’re writing.”

A blush blazed across her slanted cheekbones. “N-nothing. Just making some, uh, notes.”

“Yeah? About what you want to do to Crystal Harmony Haven?”

“Um, sort of?” She was utterly flummoxed, and it was fun to see. He couldn’t resist needling her.

“Or maybe it’s about something besides what you want to do to Crystal Harmony Haven?” In a tease, he tilted his head, acting as if he was trying to get a closer look at her writing. Three separate words peeking between her splayed fingers jumped out at him: dirty, naked, and engorged. Joy slammed the notebook closed. He couldn’t keep his eyebrows from hitting his forehead.

Showing great restraint, he didn’t ask the question dancing on his tongue:Are you writing about something you want to doatCrystal Harmony Haven or dotosomeone there?

Her complexion turned an alluring shade of dusky rose, and she glared at him. “Aren’t bartenders supposed to mind their own business?”

He propped his elbow on the bar and planted his chin in his cupped palm. “I’m not a bartender.”

“No, you’re a contractor who owes me some bids.”

Bringing himself fully upright, he slapped the bar top. “You’re right, and I’ll get to work on them as soon as my shift’s over at ten.” It was going to be a long night, made even longer because his mind was going to wander to those words and the mystery of what the hell she was writing.

She tapped her pen against the closed notebook. “Why are you ‘on shift’ in the first place? Shouldn’t you be focusing on your own business?”

Her sassy tone reminded him why he didn’t like her. “I’m ‘on shift’ because Noah and Hailey needed a night away. Reece and I offered to cover so they could get that time to themselves. Kind of important in a romantic relationship, or so I’m told.” He pointed at her glass. “You good, or do you need a refill?”

She had the decency to look sheepish. “No, I’ve had enough. If you could close out my tab, I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Are you going back to the Majestic?”

“Where else?”

“But they don’t have water.” Not his problem, so why the hell did he bother?

“Maybe I’ll take refuge at the Haven instead.” Glancing over both shoulders again, she leaned forward and dropped her voice. “I still need to tell you about what happened there today.”

All ears, he braced his palms on the bar top and lowered himself until he was a mere foot from her face. “Tell me.” This close, he could pick out the colors in those eyes. They were an intriguing mix of caramel and gold dust, with a splash of bold-roast coffee.

“That guy—”

“Carl?”

“Weatherly,” she whispered. “He’s working for someone named Bruno? He warned me away from you. He said you use inferior materials and you cut corners.”

That asshole!He opened his mouth to defend himself, to enlighten her about that dickwad, but Dixie sidled up beside Joy and placed a tray full of empties on the bar. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have some very thirsty customers at table five who are about to howl.” She gave Joy a wide smile. “That’s a pretty blouse. Did you get it at the Vogue Vault?” Touching Joy’s forearm, she tsked. “Looks like you dragged it through the mud, but don’t you worry, hon. I’ve got the perfect remedy for that. You soak it in—”

“Uh, Dix?” Charlie gave her a pointed look. “The drink orders?”

She shoved a ticket at him.

Joy’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Vogue Vault?”

“It’s a li’l ol’ consignment store a few blocks down. She just opened this past spring, and she’s got some real nice things.” Dixie pinched her eye-poppingly bright top. “That’s where I got this!”

Joy’s mouth opened and closed, and Charlie suppressed a snicker. If Joy’s shoes were eight hundred dollars, the blouse she wore had to be at least half that, though it was simply a guess. When it came to women’s fashion, he was completely in the dark. He did know he favored a simpler look on a woman, like jeans and a white T-shirt. Preferably a tight T-shirt.

Dixie dipped an eyebrow at Charlie. “Any day now on those cocktails, handsome.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

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