Page 69 of All We Need

“Are we privy to thesethings?”Graham, while quiet, is direct and transparent.

I’m choosing my words carefully whenFlorence’scheerful voice saves the day. “Oh, but if you leave before then you’ll miss theValentine’sFair!”

“Is there a month this town doesn’t host a fair?”Myquestion has everyone laughing.

It wasn’t a joke.

Dex leans down, a smirk playing on his lips. “So…Howwas your stay atTheNook?”

I suck my teeth. “Itwould have been five stars hadInot had an infestation.”

He barks with laughter. “That’sone way to describe him.Butseriously,I’mhappy to fully comp your stay.IswearIdidn’t realizeTheNookwas live on my online booking system.Probablya signIneed to hire some help.”

“Not necessary.”Iclink my glass with his. “It’sa beautiful place.Haveyou ever considered expan?—”

“No business tonight,Silver.Justpleasure,” a voice purrs behind me, sending a shockwave of goose bumps along my spine.Despitemy thumping heart, heated veins, and coiling stomach,Idon’t show how he affects me.

“Welcome to the party,BabySpice.”Witha look over my shoulder,Islowly sip my drink.

“Did you call me baby?”Hischest brushes my shoulder as he joins the circle, our hands inches apart.

“Of course that’s your takeaway.”

Cheeks flushed, and messy locks flopping over his eyes, he flips his head back and swipes a hand through his hair.AmoveIdidn’t know could be sexy.

Out of nowhere, another tall frame crowds me, andIlook up to find the restaurant’s line cook leering down at me.Astrong aroma of liquor hits me when he opens his mouth. “Fancyseeing you here.”

I’m usually good with names, but his escapes me.

“At the party being hosted at the businessIown?”Irespond with a pinch of sarcasm that goes right over his head.

“Do you really own it if you bought it withDaddy’smoney?”Hechuckles.Noone else joins him.

I pull back my shoulders. “Mymoney.”

Something in my tone drawsBooth’sattention away from the conversation he’s having with his brother, and he frowns at us. “Kyle, you all right?”

Kyle.That’sit.

“All good,Chef.I’mabout to buyAlessandrahere a drink.C’mon, baby, it’s on me.”Hewraps his sweaty hand around my wrist and goes to tug me away.Thewordbabymakes me nauseous.

I glare at where he grips me.

Booth spots my discomfort and steps forward. “Easy.You’vehad enough to drink.Letgo of her,Kyle.”

“Psht,Iknow when enough is enough.”Hepeers down at me and licks his lips. “Iknow somewhere quiet.Isaw you looking at me the other day.”

Booth closes the distance between him and his line chef, but before he has a chance to react,I’mpressing the heel of my pump onKyle’sfoot until he hisses.

“If you don’t drop your hand,I’llmake it impossible for you to find employment across the whole ofNewEngland.”Myvoice is even, gaze steady as my words sink into his thick skull.

When he doesn’t budge,Ilean my weight forward, and his teeth grit.

“Five.Four.Three.”

He stumbles back, ticking in anger as he grips his glass tight.Hismouth drops open, probably ready to throw a slew ofinsults my way, butDexsteps in and calmly dragsKyletoward the front door.

I let out a breath and rub at my tender wrist.

---