Page 89 of Bourbon and Secrets

“Is Faye your girlfriend?”

“My mom said Faye Calloway was going to teach her how to dance.”

“Why does your hair look so crazy?”

“Is she staying in Fiasco?”

I clap my hands and take the porch steps two at a time. “You’re turning into the gossiping old ladies from the book club.” I smile at them. Holding open the front door, I nod toward inside. “Let’s fire up a movie and those fairy lights.”

“You doing alright, sweetheart?” I ask Lark, who was the last in the line.

“It’s a great party, Dad. Thanks.” Lark tips her head back as she walks under my arm. “I’m glad Faye was here too.”

Chapter 31

Lincoln

It might just be a day,but there are plenty of people in the town of Fiasco who prepare for Valentine’s Day as if it’s the most over-the-top important day of the year. Even more so when it falls on a weekend. Our town green is splashed in pink and red lights, while the shops along Main Street stay open late for their annual Galentine’s Day Sip & Stroll. The girls in Crescent de Lune are working late tonight, and I hold up my hand and wave at the sisters who run the place as they fold their hands around pink dough. As I walk down the flight of stairs and through the double oak doors of Midnight Proof, it’s as if the place has been dipped in the colors of romance.

Crystal chandeliers bathe the room in warm light. The usual black velvet and deep emerald-green drapes and decor have been swapped out for velvet reds and a deep burgundy. Sheer pink material billows out from every chandelier to each corner of the room. All of it frames the circular stage at the centerspotlighted in pinks, just waiting for my girl to take it and wow every person in the room.

“Lincoln Foxx, out on Valentine’s?” Hadley says as I slide into the only empty bar chair.

“I didn’t think how packed this place would be tonight.” I smile as she pulls out a rocks glass and starts to pour my favorite bottle she carries. “I like your wings.”

She smiles big, spreading her arms wide, and spins, showing off the red heart-shaped wings fixed to her back. “I decided to lean in this year. I may not have a Valentine, but I plan to make a lot of people tipsy and horny tonight! Naughty cupid, at your service,” she says with a salute.

I bark out a laugh as she holds out her fist.

I meet it with a bump and we follow with the finger hooks and elbow tap combination that makes up our handshake. It’s ridiculous, but it makes both of us laugh. There have been plenty of times in our lives where a laugh was needed, and being ridiculous helped.

“Lark and Lily told me all about the kissing in the middle of the street thing.” My best friend gives me that look of hers that screams:“I could have called it.”

“How did they seem when they said it?” I ask, holding up the glass for a cheers with whatever she’s pouring for herself tonight.

“They told me you want Faye to be your girlfriend, and I quote, ‘our dad deserves to smile the way he’s been smilin’ at Faye.’”

“Are you fucking serious?” I ask, sitting back as warmth fills my chest. I don’t think I could love my girls much more than I already do, but then they go ahead and say shit like that...

“Lily was over the moon about it. She told me we need to go see Pearl, her psychic, to find out if there’s going to be a happily ever after.”

I bark out a laugh, as she holds up her finger to pause our conversation and moves down the bar to pour a drink for the couple at the far end. When she comes back, she leans against the bar and asks, “This is serious, then? You’re falling for her?”

The jazz band starts to kick up the volume, which means my girl is just about ready to take the stage. I’ve always told Hadley everything—she knew about Olivia wanting to end things before she passed. My best friend knows how I’ve gotten lost for a while in faceless women to move on from the layers of loss, but she’s never known about my history with Faye. I never told her about the blackmail and the night in the cornfield. And now I’m happy I never did; I like having that just between Faye and me. I rub my thumb along my lip as I think about waking up next to her. The way she fits there so easily. The way I don’t overthink or get lost in my own head while I’m with her.

“It feels serious,” I tell her. “I wouldn’t have let her get close enough to my girls if I thought it wouldn’t be.” And that is what should have me concerned. It isn’t logical or level-headed, but that fucking curse always lingers beneath the surface. The idea of wanting her and caring for her doesn’t make me want to back away, though; it makes me want to hold on and protect her. Spend moments and embrace all the uncertainty because it’s worth it for how good I’ve felt with her around.

But then Hadley asks the one question I don’t have an answer to. “Does that mean she’s planning to stay?”

Before I can think of a way to answer, the trumpet starts in a low hum and then kicks in a high note, signaling the crowd to start paying attention. I take a taste of my bourbon—one with a smokier oak and hints of caramel. It has me remembering how much more I enjoy the taste when I’m drinking it with the beautiful woman standing beneath a pink spotlight. I let out an exhale and with it the lingering question.Is she planning to stay?“We haven’t talked about it...but I want her to.”

Hadley gives the bar top a little tap. “Sounds like something worth talking about, then. Work that Foxx charm so we can keep her, Linc.”

The strings tip in and the mood shifts as the singer starts crooning the words: “At last.” The slower-than-usual song flips the room’s lighting into a warmer pink as Faye comes into view with an oversized satin red bow tied perfectly over her chest, while the rest of the satin ribbon is wrapped around her body nice and tight. My body lights up for her. A full shiver that settles right into my cock. Fucking hell, I want her. The ribbon ends at the tops of her thighs, where just a sliver of skin peeks through before her red fishnet stockings wrap around her legs. I can’t help but smile and watch as she flirts with the couple at the table in front of her.

Her red fishnet gloves match what’s pulled up her legs, and she puts the tip of her middle finger between her teeth, pulling slowly and teasing the crowd just by removing something as simple as a glove. Fucking hell, she’s stunning, but the way she can work a room is more than impressive. It’s a talent that can’t be learned or practiced. Her blonde hair sparkles in the lights—plenty of that same glitter had been all over my house after her make-over fun for Lark’s party. Leaning my elbow on the bar, I fix my glasses and sit back as she sways her way through the audience.

“Damn, Linc. She’s got everyone here practically salivating, and she’s only removed her gloves,” Hadley says in awe.

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