Page 9 of Protect

Violette looks up at me with those bright hazel eyes when I reach the bar and I decide right here and now that I’m going to show her the man I am today. I’m gonna fix this.

She leans one handed on the bar, propping her other hand on her curvy hip then cocks her head to the side, her waves tumble down over her shoulder.

“What can I get you, King?” she asks, clearly trying to make this a quick exchange, but I’ve got other ideas.

I drum my fingers on the bar and blow out a breath, glancing behind her at the liquor on the shelf and the framed photo of Jacob hanging behind the bar. I remember the day that photo was taken. Our third fire together in Utah. Jacob’s in full gear, eyeing me down. If he was here, he’d be telling me to hurry up, get my beer, and stop trying to impress his clearly unimpressed sister. I ignore his imaginary scolding.

“What’s good here?” I ask her, focusing intently on the labels.

She scoffs. “We both know that you probably know better than I do.”

She’s already annoyed with me, and it’s been less than a minute.

“Oh, I don’t know… If I know you, I’d bet you’ve memorized every drink in this place already,” I say.

She sighs. “Youdon’tknow me anymore, King.”

Now I’m really pissing her off, but at least I have her attention.

I maintain my focus on the bottles behind her as I speak.

“So, you settling in, Violette? Doing okay? Living at your parents or?—”

“What is this?” she asks.

I move my gaze back to her. She’s looking me up and down, her almond shaped eyes narrow, scrutinizing me.

“What?” I use my most offended tone. “I can’t be curious how you’re?—?”

“We’re not friends, King, you know it as well as I do.”

I lean in, my forearms against the bar.

“That’s the thing, Violette. I’ve decided I want to change that.”

A few beats of silence hang heavily between us before Violette tosses her head back and laughs. She’s trying to appear appalled, but her smile takes my breath away regardless.

“Seriously? After all these years?” she asks as she twists the top off a bottle of PBR and passes it to my left.

“Thanks, Violette.”

I flinch because I didn’t even notice Sup standing behind me. I make the mistake of glancing at him. He’s side eyeing me like my grumpy older brother.

“Are you getting those beers, King, or taking up residence on Violette’s nerves for the rest of the night?”

I look from him to Violette. “A little of both,” I joke, doing my best to keep her eyes. She rolls hers and looks away, completely uninterested.Ouch.

“Well, hurry up, yeah? I’m sure she has other customers to tend to.” He nudges me with his elbow and says it loud enough for Violette to hear.

“Sure do…” she answers Sup. “So, Budweiser then?” Her eyes move to me.

“Jesus, can’t a guy just think of trying something new,” I ask them both as Sup turns to head back to the table.

Violette cocks her head to the side. “With your drink or your personality?”

I chuckle, so does Sup as he walks away.

“Once again, both, I guess,” I say honestly, scrubbing my jaw which earns an actual laugh from her.

---