Page 6 of Coulda

“That table over there needs another pitcher of margaritas,” Jack said, patting him on the back.

“On it, boss.”

He allowed himself to watch Amber congratulate her friends as they stepped off the stage. Rio knew Amber had something planned for her eighteenth birthday. He better figure out some way to disrupt her plans. If not, she’d never understand.

CHAPTER2

Amber bounced through the kitchen door with a smile plastered on her face. She’d had a great birthday at school, celebrating with her friends. Harper had even brought Amber’s favorite molten chocolate cupcakes to school for lunch.

“Hi, baby! You look happy!” Amber’s mom, Gretchen, greeted her as she swapped out laundry.

“I am. Only one more thing could make my day even better.”

“Your dad isn’t going to buy you that red, hopped-up sports car,” Gretchen warned.

“I know. Besides, I’d want a purple one. That would be much prettier.”

“Not that one, either,” Gretchen told her with a waggle of her index finger. “But there might be a letter on the island for you.”

“No way!” Amber raced to pluck the official-looking letter from the granite countertop. She grabbed the letter opener from the drawer and carefully sliced open the top.

Extracting the letter inside, Amber silently read the embossed letters at the top. This had been her reach school. The one she’d been sure she would never be chosen to attend. Quickly, she read the missive aloud for her mother, who now stood next to her with an arm wrapped around Amber’s waist.

“You made it in! Congratulations. Your father is going to be so proud. You should drive to the bar and show him,” Gretchen suggested.

“On my way!”

Amber grabbed her keys from the hook by the door and drove her sensible compact to Murphy’s. This was a slow time in the afternoon. The lunch crowd would have cleared out except for a few diehards and the happy hour celebrants would still be at work.

Walking in the front door, Amber spotted Rio slicing lemons and limes into wedges for the bar. She stopped in her tracks. The university nursing program was in Durham, North Carolina. She’d be states away from Rio.

His head lifted and she darted out of view before he could see her. Suddenly, the dream nursing school seemed like an impediment rather than something to be excited about. Her heart pounded inside her chest. How would she choose? The university or Rio?

“Sparky!” Amber’s father’s gravelly voice made her jump. “I wondered where you were. Your mom just texted to see if you’d told me. She sounded excited. What’s up?”

“Dad!”

“What’s that?” he asked, pointing at the letter in her hand. “Does that say what I think it does?”

Torn by her desires, Amber could only nod.

“May the saints be praised!” Murphy rushed forward to wrap his arms around her waist and whirl the two of them in a tight circle, just as he’d done with her when she was two. “You did it, Sparky. All the time you studied after games, all those sessions where your mom quizzed you over biology, and signing up for every challenging class you could take—it all added up to setting yourself up for the best future ever.”

Unable to prevent herself, Amber looked over his shoulder at Rio, who now leaned against the door frame. Their gazes meshed, and he said softly, “Happy birthday, Little girl.”

He’d never called her that before. Amber had gotten used to Brat, Amberella, Ella, and of course, her name, coming from his lips over the years. She’d never heard him call her that before.Little girl.Unable to look away from his knowing eyes, Amber felt those words resonate inside her. She felt something click into place.

“Back to work, Rio. Just a private celebration here. Amber just got accepted into the best damn nursing program available. She’ll go to North Carolina in a few months,” Murphy interrupted gruffly.

Amber had never heard her father speak to the long-time bartender like that. Rio had been around long enough to be considered family. She pushed away from her father, embarrassed by his tone.

“Thank you, Rio,” she answered, attempting to send him an apology with her gaze.

“You’re welcome, Amber. And congratulations on the news.”

Without another word, Rio turned and walked toward the bar. Instantly, several customers called his name and lifted their glasses. Jumping over the bar in his traditional athletic practice, the handsome bartender drew applause from the women who clustered in front of him. Amber grimaced to see a couple adjust the neckline of their plunging T-shirts lower to attract his attention.

“You’re not to associate with Rio, Amber. He’s a handsome guy, but you’re meant for better things. Stay away from him.” Murphy spoke harshly.

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