Page 21 of Ask for Moore

“For sure,” Ivy agreed with a smile. “Mooreville is too small not to, kind of how you bumped into us on the sidewalk just now.”

My gaze drifted toward the door of their office building. “Just wrapping up for the night?”

“Yup.” Ivy rubbed her palms together. “And it’s finally the weekend. Do you have any big plans?”

“No.” I shook my head and pointed toward the shop next to me. “Not unless you call window-shopping and finding something to eat before heading back to the bed and breakfast big plans.”

Ivy’s eyes lit with a twinkle of mischief. “It’s Friday night. You should hit up one of the local bars for some entertainment instead of staying holed up in your room all weekend.”

“I’m not sure that’s a great idea.” I scratched my jaw. “I can’t remember the last time I went to a bar, let alone by myself.”

“Then it’s a good thing you bumped into us.” She moved closer to Ryland and elbowed him in the side. “Ryland doesn’t have any plans tonight, either. He could come with and keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t get into too much trouble.”

My gaze darted toward Ryland. “I wouldn’t want to be a bother. And I’m not sure it’s a good idea, anyway, with us being opposing counsel.”

“Remember what I said about how small the legal community is here?” Ryland asked, his dark eyes scanning my face. “Nobody would think twice if they saw us together.”

It might have just been wishful thinking, but it seemed as though he maybe wanted to join me and wasn’t being pushed into agreeing by Ivy. “If you’re sure it would be okay and don’t have anything else to do, it would be nice not to sit by myself the whole time.”

“As if that would happen.” Ivy snorted. “It’s definitely been too long since you went to a bar if you don’t know that’s where single guys go on the weekends. You’re too gorgeous to be left alone for more than like…maybe five minutes.”

Ryland glared at her. “How would you know what bars are like? You’ve been twenty-one for all of five seconds.”

“That’s a conversation for another day.” She gave us a jaunty wave. “Right now, you have a gorgeous woman waiting on you. Get a move on before she decides she doesn’t need your company.”

If the idea was so outlandish, I would have thought Ivy was trying to be a matchmaker for Ryland and me. And surprisingly, I found myself liking the idea.

11

Ryland

There wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to let Waverly wander into a bar by herself. Not after she’d admitted she doesn’t go to them often. Or how Ivy had pointed out that she wouldn’t be sitting alone for too long once the single men in Mooreville got a look at her. I couldn’t stay away.

If necessary, I would have sat at the end of the bar while keeping an eye on Waverly like a stalker. But walking into the local sports bar with my hand on her lower back was a fuck of a lot better.

Several people called out greetings, and I offered them a chin lift in return instead of going over to say hello. Once we got settled in a corner booth, Waverly mumbled, “You don’t have to stick close all night. You can go hang out with friends if you want.”

“Hey, now.” Pressing a finger under her chin, I tilted her head back until I could see her pretty blue eyes. “I’m right where I want to be.”

“Me, too.” She flashed me a shy smile and reached for the menu. “Any suggestions for what I should order?”

“They have award-winning burgers.” I tapped my finger on that section of her menu. “You can even find them frozen in some of the local grocery stores.”

Her eyes widened as she scanned the options. “Holy crap! There’s a lot to choose from. Stuffed, topped, spicy, seven kinds with bacon and cheese…”

“You could try the Chicago burger,” I suggested.

She traced her finger down the list to find the one I was talking about and shook her head. “How is that supposed to be Chicago style? Maybe if they had done it like our hot dogs with mustard, relish, sport peppers, onion, tomato, and pickle. But olives, mushrooms, pepper rings, and swiss as toppings make no sense to me.”

“I’m sure they can come close to that if it’s what you want.” Even if I had to slip the server a twenty to make it happen.

“Nah.” She shook her head and snapped the menu shut. “I think I’m going with the one that’s stuffed and topped with American cheese.”

“Good choice. That’s one of my favorites.”

As though we’d given her a silent signal, the server appeared at our table. “Hey, Ryland. How’s Ethan doing? I haven’t seen him in here in a while.”

I aimed a gentle smile at Shelly. “He’s good.”

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