Page 119 of Sweet Harmony

“You and Kirapretty serious now?” Gideon pulled into the parking lot and parkedbefore staring at Connor.

“We are.” Hedidn’t look way from Gideon’s gaze.

The big mannodded. “I’m glad. You’re good for her. Let’s get that drink.”

Connor followedhim into the Thirsty Beaver. He had a feeling that was about allthe praise he’d get from the sheriff, but oddly it was enough.

The pub wasfairly full for a Wednesday night, but they found a table easilyenough. They sat down and ordered a couple of beers. Connor glancedaround the pub, scowling a little when he saw Daniel sitting at thebar. He was drinking a beer and staring at the television behindthe bar.

“Is Danieldrinking alone?” he asked Gideon.

Gideon justshrugged. “Don’t know, don’t care. The guy’s an idiot. I’m gonnahit the head, I’ll be right back.”

As Gideonwalked away, Connor’s cell phone buzzed. He read the reply fromKira and, smiling a little, texted her back before stuffing hisphone into his pocket. He reached for his beer, pausing when herealized Daniel was standing in front of his table.

“Hey, doc.” Thefirefighter was swaying, and his eyes were bloodshot. He tookanother drink of beer before gripping the back of the chair forsupport.

“Hello,Daniel.”

“How’s itgoing?”

“Fine,” Connorsaid. “You?”

Daniel shruggedand took another drink of beer. “Where’s Kira?”

“She’s athome.”

“You livingwith her now?”

Connor didn’treply and Daniel cocked an eyebrow at him. “Why so quiet, doc?”

“I guess I havenothing to say to you,” Connor said.

“Is there areason you hate me?” Daniel asked.

“You mean otherthan because of the way you used Kira for years?”

Daniel snortedloudly. “You don’t know shit about me and Kira.”

“I know youtook advantage of her kindness. I know you used her and didn’tthink once about her feelings.”

Daniel leanedforward, swaying unsteadily. “Kira and I have a specialrelationship. One that worked just fine until you showed up.”

“It wasn’tspecial,” Connor said. He was trying not to be pissed, butsomething about Daniel poked every one of his buttons.

“Yeah it was.Maybe you just don’t like the fact that your girl loved me beforeshe ever loved you.”

“It wasn’tlove. It was a crush and you didn’t mean that much to her,” hesaid.

“No?” Danielstraightened. “’Cause just this morning, I heard Addie talking onthe phone to Harper. Guess they haven’t talked for a while becauseshe had a lot to say. Especially about Kira. “

Connor’snostrils flared as Daniel gave him a drunken grin. “Turns out thatsweet little Kira was holding on to her virginity for me. For yearsshe waited, doc. That kind of sounds like I meant a littlesomething to her. Don’t you think?”

Connor stood,his hands in tight fists at his side. “Shut your fucking mouth,Daniel.”

“I’m justsayin’, if a woman is waiting for a man to be her first, it meanssomething. Of course, according to my sister, you came along andconvinced her to give up her v-card. Pretty bold move, doc.”

His urge topunch Daniel was almost too great to ignore. Afraid he would act onit, he shoved past the firefighter, his body going tense whenDaniel grabbed his arm.

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