Page 144 of On The Rocks

“But that includes you too.” I took her hand and put it against my chest, covering it with mine. “Not just because we are having fun right now. But in the hard parts. And if you find a place you want to buy and it’s in Ireland, I’m part of the package.”

My chest heaved as if I’d run a mile.

Her dark eyes went shiny. “Okay.”

“Good.” I lifted her hand to my lips and I nipped at the skin just below her palm and lowered my voice. “And when we get out of here, I’m going to make sure you know it for sure.”

Her lips twitched. “Looking forward to it.”

She slid around me with a laugh.

I turned around to see Elmer at the end of the bar, sitting there staring at us. “Package deal with him too.”

Her laugh rolled out and my heart rate evened out.

Elmer’s face morphed into a smile, just before his big stupid tongue hung out.

Feeling eyes on us, I looked out on the dining room. Nearly all of the crew were trying not to smile just like my damn dog.

Embarrassed that I’d aired all that out in front of her whole crew, I took the keg into the back. I wasn’t sorry, but I probably could have picked a better time to let that bit of information out.

I’d known it for a long time, but I was damn tired of being afraid to let her know.

In the storage room, I stacked the keg into the corner when suddenly the door slammed behind me.

“Hell.” I hurried back to the door and the door didn’t open. “Shit.”

I slapped my hand on the door. “Hey!”

I should have talked to Kira about the locks last time when Lennon got locked in. I couldn’t even put my shoulder into it since the door opened in.

Not that it would do any good, the damn thing was reinforced steel.

I dug out my phone and texted Lennon. She wasn’t great about checking her phone when she was in work mode.

Annoyed, I slid down the door and sat down.

I lightly rapped the back of my head against the door. I flicked through my contacts. Maybe if I called the main taproom line someone would pick up.

I dialed in, letting it ring until a voicemail came on saying we were closed.

Fuck my life.

I swiped my hand over my face then sniffed.

What the hell?

I scrambled up and smoke snaked under the door.

“Shit.”

Voices lifted just outside. Then the shriek of the fire alarms pierced the air.

I slapped my hand against he door. “Hey!”

Like they’d hear me over that.

I looked around the storage room and my eyes rested on the empty kegs. I ran over and took one from the pile and slammed it against the steel door.

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