Page 21 of The Honest Affair

She recoiled visibly at the pet name, and because I knew why, I did too. Her husband used that name for her. I heard him do it once, and I’d wanted to beat the shit out of him right there and then.

I hadn’t meant to use it. She was just sitting here like goddamn royalty, looking down her long nose at every person in the place, including me. Who was she to get pissed at whatever I needed to do to pay my bills? Female bartenders could show off their tits. So I had a few nice lines and a smile women seemed to like. I wasn’t breaking any laws here.

Still. That name was a low blow, and I knew it.

“Sorry,” I muttered. “I didn’t mean it.”

“Yes, you did. And I deserved it.” She also had the grace to look dejected. “But I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t use it again.”

I nodded in a funny kind of half bow. “You got it, duchess.”

We stared at each other in a funny, awkward kind of silence. I grabbed another perfectly clean wineglass and started polishing.

“Well, are you going to take them up on their invitation?”

I snorted. “Are you kidding?”

“I don’t know. They seemed quite eager, don’t you think?”

Suddenly, I was done with the games. I didn’t want to trade jibes anymore. Not when every one of them felt like a punch to the gut.

“Nina.” I stopped what I was doing, set the glass on the bar top with a clink, and fixed her with a steady gaze. “Why in the fuck would I bother with a poster print when I’ve got the original here in front of me? Even when you clearly want to slap me silly, you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Nina’s mouth dropped, and I fought not to stare. I lost. Her lips closed, and she bristled. And finally looked away.

“I didn’t think you would be here,” she said quietly. “I left the house tonight somewhat…frustrated. I wanted a drink. And I ended up here. Call it nostalgia, if you like.”

“You didn’t think I would possibly show up at my best friend’s bar?” I asked incredulously.

“Well, I didn’t exactly know you worked here until tonight, if that’s what you’re asking.” She blinked coyly, though it was obvious she had given up on hiding her innocence. “But really. Why are you working here?”

I shrugged, glancing down the bar to make sure Jamie didn’t need help. Things had calmed down again, and he was busy at the register. Everyone else in the joint had a drink.

“Like I said, I have to pay the bills somehow, don’t I?” I pulled out the bottle of wine I’d brought over. “Another?”

Nina bit her lip—which certainly didn’t help me to stop looking at it—but then cautiously nodded.

“Why, though?” she persisted as she watched me pour. “Why are you doing…this?”

“I’m on leave, remember? I tried to quit all together, but my boss wouldn’t let me. Four more months of this, or so I think. Really depends on how the trial goes. I doubt I can come back until your husband’s locked up. Or worse, let off.”

“But you’re a lawyer. You should—can’t you get work in another office?”

“Not for a year, at least. I signed a non-compete when I was hired.” I looked regretfully around the bar. “You know, after I finished law school, I really thought I was done with this kind of grunt work. But then again, I didn’t think I’d meet someone like you, either.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I shrugged as I stowed the bottle back under the bar. “Someone worth throwing it all away for.”

Nina softened for a moment. “No one asked you to do that.”

“No one had to. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

We stared at each other for a long second, unsure of what else to say.

A million questions danced between us, all unspoken. I wanted to ask her a million things, but couldn’t.

Did you take the plea the papers say you did?

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