Page 143 of On The Rocks

Mostly.

I moved on to the main bar when I noticed Lennon struggling with a keg. I moved up behind her and gripped her hips. She quickly swung around and I caught her fist right before it connected. “Hey there, killer.”

“Sorry.” She quickly wound her arms around my neck and gave me a hug.

Startled that she offered up such easy affection in front of people, I slid an arm around her back. “Hey, something wrong?”

“No.” She eased back. “Sorry, just a little keyed up.”

I frowned down at her. “Did something happen?” I glanced into the dining room where everyone was hustling through theclosing rituals. Even Landon was helping with flipping the chairs onto tables and he’d been relieved when the doors closed.

“No. Just a few weird vibes tonight.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Since when do you go with vibes?”

She pinched my side. “I go with vibes all the time. That’s why I didn’t take that place in Florida.”

My chest tightened at that. I was glad she hadn’t gone for the club in Florida. Mostly because she’d been so damn distant as soon as it had been time to actually visit it.

I pulled her close again for a moment, resting my chin on top of her head. “You still sure about that?”

I had to ask. She’d been sure that day, but things could change on a dime. I knew that firsthand.

She sighed against my chest and tucked her hands into my back pockets. “I am. I honestly don’t know what I want at this point. Getting my own place has been my entire focus for ten years.”

Funny, I hadn’t put it together that we both had landed in a new ten year cycle. “You know, it’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out. Most people don’t. I know I sure as hell don’t.”

She laughed. “Yeah, and you’re way older.”

“Ouch. I thought mature men were sexy.”

“Sometimes.” She slipped out of my hold. “I’m going to murder someone if you don’t get that tap off the keg for me.”

“Can’t have that.” I eased her around me to get to the keg and tried not to make a big deal that she actually asked me for help. That hadn’t happened since the day we met.

She allowed me to help, but it was because I’d initiated or jumped in to help.

“Think you’ll have to concede to getting a new tap since this happens all the damn time.”

“Yeah, yeah. I like that tap and they don’t make them anymore.”

“Give me the details and I’ll find some refurbished ones.”

“That’s not your job.”

“Who cares?”

“And none of this is your job. I know you’re not on my payroll and yet you’re always here helping.” She had her hands on her hips. The tone in her voice had me treading carefully.

The hiss of the seal breaking finally gave way and I hauled out the empty keg. I straightened up and her face was mutinous.

To hell with treading carefully. “Because this place is yours. Is my brother’s. Is part of the orchard. Ilikebeing part of it. Soon enough I’ll be out of your damn hair when the concert lineup is cemented.”

Her hands fell to her sides. “You don’t make sense.”

“I do, you just don’t want to see it. This place makes me want to be a part of it. Not just from the outside like I have been for most of my life, but inside of it.”

Her eyes went soft. “You are.”

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