Page 17 of You're All I Need

Jack sighs into the phone. “He’s like this because of you, you know that, right?”

I bark out a laugh. “I’m an awesome role model. Kids love me.”

“That’s because you have the same mentality,” Jack grumbles. “See you tomorrow.”

“Shake and bake, baby,” I reply as my friend laughs before disconnecting the call.

I’m excited, not just to watch Joshua play b-ball, but to take Christian with me. A little basketball, listening to some good music and hanging with friends Saturday night. Maybe even getting to flirt with Adrienne, which seems to be my favorite pastime lately. It’s going to be a good weekend.

Shake and bake.

Chapter Six

Adrienne

This place is packed.

I knew it would be.

Once word spread Kinsley was performing, the bar reached capacity quickly. Jameson is at the door, making sure no one else comes in so we don’t have the fire chief beating down the door and giving a citation for having too many people. They hired extra security to help keep the peace, both inside and out, and I’ve definitely noticed the presence of added security has helped keep the crowd under control.

Walker, Kellen, and I are manning the bar, with Garreth bouncing between bussing tables, restocking coolers, and jumping in when we start to get backed up. And you can’t beat the music. Even if country music isn’t my favorite, this girl has an amazing set of pipes on her, and her songwriting skills are top-notch. I find myself getting lost in the words, swaying back and forth to the beat of the song, and not doing what I’m paid to do.

“Adrienne, take your break,” Walker hollers, tossing two empty beer bottles into the trash bin and causing me to jump.

“Sorry, boss. I’ve got it,” I insist, grabbing a hot, soapy cloth and starting to wipe down the bar.

“No, you’re fine. It really is time for your break. Garreth will jump in. Take fifteen and put your feet up,” he maintains, flashing me a reassuring smile before serving another drink.

I toss the wet cloth into the bucket with sanitizing solution and move toward the end of the bar. Garreth is there. He nods toward the two pub tables pushed together in the back cornerwhere the wives of the owners sit, as well as some staff members and their significant others. “Have a seat. See you in fifteen.”

As I make my way toward where everyone is sitting, including Stevie, Jack, and Caden, I feel a set of eyes on me. I’ve felt them off and on throughout the night, and each time I looked up, my suspicions were confirmed when I found Caden watching me. There’s a hunger in his eyes, but it’s also more than that. There’s intrigue.

When he realizes I’m heading their way, he jumps up and offers me his seat. I want to decline his offer, but honestly, my feet need a few minutes. I could head to the employee break room in the back hallway, but I really wanted a few minutes to visit with my friends. “Thank you,” I say, slipping onto the high-back stool he vacated.

Caden nods and places his hand on the back of my stool. I can feel his fingers brush against my shoulder blade as he rests his hand, sending shock waves of awareness through my veins. “What do you want to drink?”

I glance down at the table, realizing I’m an idiot. “I’ll get it,” I insist, turning to slide off my seat.

His big, warm hand moves to my shoulder, gently holding me in place. “I got you.”

My throat is thick as I meet his gorgeous, blue eyes. They’re dark, like sapphires, and there’s this wild magnetic pull. It’s as if they’re drawing me in. “Water,” I whisper, grateful the music is loud enough that everyone around me can’t hear how utterly stupid I sound.

He winks and disappears, heading straight to the end of the bar. Walker meets him there, leans in and listens to what Caden says. He nods once, quickly grabbing a bottle of water and handing it over. I divert my gaze, not wanting him to catch me looking, and give my attention to Kinsley. She’s singing anupbeat country tune that was huge about three or four years ago, earning her an award for song of the year.

“Here ya go.”

Not only does Caden place a bottle of water in front of me, but also a plate of food. It’s steamy and fresh, the scent of deep-fried French fries causing my stomach to growl. The condiments have already been collected from the tables, since dinner service stopped more than an hour ago, but I don’t care. I don’t need them to eat a quick burger and fries.

“Thank you,” I tell him, taking a fry and popping it into my mouth.

He leans down, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. “Dinner.”

A shiver sweeps through me. My nipples grow hard. My breathing hitches in my throat. I slowly turn to meet his sapphire gaze and know. All the flirting, the playful banter, the looks and touches for months, it’s all coming to a head. My desire for him is too great, too powerful.

I want him.

Tonight.

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