Page 73 of Must Have Been Love

I take her palms in mine. They feel dry and cool, despite the fact she’s moving like a demon. “We can dance later,” I shout. “Let’s go sit down.”

“Don’t be boring.” She shakes her head. “I thought you were a free spirit.”

I bite my lip in an attempt not to laugh. She’s the second person tonight who’s questioned if I really am as free as I think I am. But I’ll worry about that later. “My legs ache,” I lie. “I just need to sit down. Come and chat with me, we can dance later.”

She actually pouts which makes me want to laugh even more. “Okay, spoilsport. But only a short rest. You young people need to get more exercise.”

I lead her back to the counter, managing to maneuver her onto a stool just as Autumn finishes making the coffee and slides a mug toward her.

“What’s this?” Eileen asks, frowning at the black liquid steaming from the glass cup.

“Irish coffee,” I tell her. “Full of whiskey. It’s only for our special customers so don’t tell anybody else.”

I hear Autumn snort behind me. She’s no help at all.

“Take a sip,” I urge Eileen. “Don’t be a spoilsport.”

Turning her words back on her is all it takes for her to actually do as she’s told. She lifts the cup to her lips and wrinkles her nose as the smell of hot coffee assails her. “Haven’t drunk a coffee I haven’t made for myself in years,” she says.

I’m guessing that’s due to Mylene owning the only coffee shop in town.

“This one is specially imported,” I tell her. “From Brazil.”

God I’m getting good at lying. But it’s for a good cause.

“Oh my, I can taste the whiskey in this,” Eileen adds, taking another, longer sip. “You’re a bad girl.”

“So people keep telling me.” I smile at her.

She looks around the bar, her eyes trying to focus on the optics behind me. “Your dad would be so proud of you.”

“He would?” My throat tightens.

“Oh yes. Look at what you’ve done. This was always his dream, to have his family here. And now he does.”

“If I count as family.”

“Well of course you do. And…”

“Is that Mylene I see?” Autumn says quickly.

Fast as a whip, Eileen turns around to look. “Where?”

“Oh, it was just a mirage,” Autumn says. I frown at her. What’s she trying to do here? Make Eileen dizzy?

Thankfully Jesse chooses that next moment to walk back in and over to where we’re all standing at the bar.

“Hey,” he says, taking the three of us in. “I think I’d better head out. I have to work in the morning.”

I give him the brightest smile. “Thank you so much for all your help. And for playing tonight. I’m going to book you so many gigs your head will spin.”

His eyes are warm as he leans forward and kisses my cheek. “Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

It isn’t enough. I hug him tight, smelling the low notes of his cologne as he holds me, dipping his head into my hair and kissing it softly.

Then he says his goodbyes to Autumn and Eileen before he leaves. Eileen takes another sip of coffee and lifts a brow.

“You two are very friendly,” she says, sounding approving.

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