Page 24 of Boss Me Around

“Yeah, well, now I love working on Chase’s clubhouse in the backyard. We’re having a great time with a much lower chance of a catastrophic collision.” Drawing her shoulders back with a sniff, she motions toward the lace-heavy shirt I’ve just pulled from the bin. “Yes, wear that one, the lacy shirt with the vest that looks like a red and gold carpet. Put those on and you’ll be good to go. As long as you don’t come out from behind the bar, no one will see your jeans.” Snapping her fingers, she heads for the grills set up outside the tent. “Oh, and check the glasses for lipstick marks before you pour. Our dishwasher hasn’t been getting them all off lately. Reach out to Margot if you get in the weeds. She might be able to spare a server in a pinch.”

“Will do,” I assure her, making a mental note to talk to Barrett about Mel when he gets back. He’s been seeing a therapist, and it seems to have done him good.

Maybe he can reach out to Mel about finding someone to help her deal with her divorce and all the rest of it. Mel has always been the goofy, practical joker of the family, the one with the loudest laugh and a knack for finding the fun in life. Seeing her so down just feels…wrong. I get that she has to work through her grief, but it might not hurt to have a professional helping the process along.

“Beer!” A man in a Ren Faire-friendly server’s uniform hurries over, sliding an empty tray on top of the bar. “Give me all the beer, as much as you can fit on there. The full calorie stuff. So far, no one’s going for the light draft.”

“Got it,” I say, grateful there are only two taps tonight—pale ale and light pale ale—and only a handful of wines to choose from. The simplicity of the drink menu should keep things moving smoothly.

The drink orders come fast and furious for the first twenty minutes, but things slow down considerably once the first course is served and stall completely during the dessert course. I have another flurry of activity when the band starts to play and the diners take to the dance floor, but I don’t have any trouble keeping up. I manage to pour drinks and scan the dancers for a sign of Starling without missing beat.

Starling seems to have left—along with Nora—but Theo is still here, a fact that gives me such great pleasure, I feel obliged to buy my cousin a drink.

“I don’t mind paying,” he says, accepting the beer I slide across the bar. “If you give free drinks to every McGuire in town, Mel will go broke in a week.”

“It’s on me,” I say. “My way of saying thanks for keeping me out of trouble when we were kids. And backing out of the Furry Friend’s gig when I decided to apply.”

His eyes narrow. “My pleasure. The real estate firm is a better fit for me anyway. You sobered up awfully quickly.”

I shrug. “What can I say? Bread and water. They work miracles.”

He grunts. “Guess so. Thanks for the beer.” With one last pointed look my way, he wanders back toward the stage.

He clearly suspects I was faking my intoxication but is too nice to say so, and I appreciate that. I don’t want to get in a fight with my cousin. I like Theo and I don’t have time to waste on family conflict tonight. By the time the band plays their final encore, I only have half an hour to get home, get Bella fed, and get to the bike shop to meet Starling.

I’m unbuttoning my borrowed vest and wondering if I have time for a quick shower when a text comes through from the woman herself—Excited to see you soon. Oh, and don’t change out of your costume. I have an idea…

I shoot back—What kind of idea?

A sexy one, she replies. What if we stay in character? The princess having a dalliance with her serving boy? What do you think?

I grunt, surprised, but more into the idea than I expect. I think that sounds inspired. Hot and keeping-things-casual friendly at the same time.

Agreed, she replies. Glad we’re on the same page. Consider yourself summoned by your princess. Don’t be late, serving boy. I don’t like to be kept waiting.

My lips curving in a wicked grin, I assure her, I won’t, princess. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t keep me away.

Bubbles fill the screen and then an emoji with a flirty smile and one word—Perfect.

“Not yet, but it will be,” I murmur to myself as I tuck my cell into my jeans pocket.

A little role-playing sounds like a great way to keep things fun and casual between us, and knowing I’ll get to make my fantasies involving Starling and that princess dress a reality has my blood pumping faster.

I head for the exit without saying goodbye to Mel. She’s busy directing clean-up and I figure it’s better to ask for forgiveness for taking her costume than permission. She’d want to know why I need Ren Faire gear after the fair is over and I’m not into explaining sex stuff to my sister, especially when I know she’s not getting any at the moment.

As soon as I’m outside the tent, I break into a jog, hurrying toward the parking lot, doing my best not to think about the last time I was this excited to meet up with a woman. I’m pretty sure I’ve never been this excited and that doesn’t bode well for keeping my heart in one piece.

But with Starling in that princess dress waiting for me just a few miles away…

Well, right now I can’t bring myself to care.

Chapter Eleven

STARLING

I arrive at the bike shop a few minutes early, figuring I can wait in my car for Christian if he isn’t there. But when I pull up, the lights are on inside and the small side door leading into the garage is open.

Heart racing with excitement, anticipation, and a teensy-tiny hint of fear, I park in front of the closed garage door before wrestling my giant skirt out of my tiny car. Then I take a beat to center myself, pulling in a long breath and blowing it out through pursed lips.

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