Page 124 of Elusion

“Jordan,” she says in the put-the-brakes-on kind of way instead of the ravish-me one I prefer.

I groan, detaching myself, and hold open the door. “Hurry. I’m weak.”

She purposely bites her lip as she passes, adding to my theory.

Torture.

When we step inside, Cate tears across the building in our direction. From about five feet away, she jumps with her arms forward and legs back. I race to catch her before she face-plants on the floor. At least a potential trip to the emergency room acts as an instant mood killer.

“Hi,” she says, smiling.

“Hi.” I smile back, setting her down.

She skips off to the Cate Entertainment Table someone set up for her. It’s covered with crayons, dolls, and what looks to be a rawhide dog bone. Experience warns me not to ask.

Trey pauses his conversation with Benji when we get to the bar and sticks out his hand. “Keys?”

Callie hands off the car key and takes over the stool on the other side of Benji. He slides her a beer and eyes me as he pulls her stool closer. “My girlfriend.”

“Great. You can pay her parking tickets.”

She wrinkles her nose, and I wink.

A few stools down from them, I join Gavin. He supervises Pete pouring a tray’s worth of shots. Each time he reaches for one, Pete slaps his hand away. The distraction allows me to snag the full beer from in front of him. I finish half before he even notices it’s missing.

Yellow balloons and black streamers intermingle with the animal heads on the walls, and stacks of similar-colored plates wait at the end of the bar. The Decorating Committee consists of Felicia and newly recruited Johnny. They’re working on hanging Connor’s birthday banner. A task made much more difficult by letting Cate instruct them on which end needs adjustment.

“Higher on the right,” she says for the second time.

Felicia struggles on top of a stool, pushing up on her tiptoes. “Better?”

“Higher.”

I watch the banner become more and more lopsided. “Hey, Cate, show Gibs your right hand.”

She immediately holds up her left.

Felicia’s head falls forward, defeated by Cate’s unwavering confidence. The gentleman I am saves the day and helps Johnny even it out. Both Felicia and Cate coach us, giving conflicting orders. Once we ignore them, we manage to successfully hang the banner.

Returning to the bar, I snake an arm around Callie and reclaim her from Benji. She leans against my side. “Oh, you want me now?”

“Always, beautiful.” I kiss the top of her head.

“Shit.” Pete dashes over and shoves Callie’s beer in front of me. “Hey, Sheriff.”

My eyes dart to the mirror on the wall behind the bar. Sure enough, Kevin’s on his way over. I spin around and sip the beer now belonging to me.

“You the one who parked like an asshole?” he asks, pointing a blue envelope in my direction.

Without hesitation, I give up the gorgeous girl next to me. “All her, sir.”

Callie glares up at me.

“Not surprised by that.” He tosses the envelope on the bar in front of her. “Connor’s birthday card.”

She rotates her stool, knocking into my leg on the way. “He’ll be here soon if you want to stick around.”

“Nah, I, uh…” Kevin’s gaze drops to his shoes.

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