He let me go and went back to their table. I got busy working and when Jerry shouted last-call, I sagged against the bar and blew out a rough breath. I was tired.

Kacey looked me over and then looked over at the table the guys were still sitting at. Women had circled them all night long, but they’d never looked twice. “Why don’t you go on and get out of here?”

There were still several people approaching the bar for one last drink. I gave her a curious look and shook my head. “I’m not leaving you with clean up. It’s fine.”

“No, you were right earlier. I was barely working. I can finish this and I’ll make Jerry help me close. If he complains, I’ll remind him of how much money we made him tonight.” She nodded at the guys. “I’ll remind him of how you brought in celebrities and now his bar will be written up in tabloids.”

I snorted. “No one’s going to write about this place.”

“Either way. Get. Go while you can.” She looked at the tip jar. “Go ahead and take that. You deserve it.”

“No. Hell no. I’m not taking all of the tips. You’ve lost your mind.” I reached down and grabbed the jar. While she took care of a few customers, I separated the tips and slid her half into her back pocket before making a show of setting the tip jar on the counter in front of the last customers. “Don’t forget to tip your bartender! Isn’t she great?!”

Kacey laughed while they cheered and pushed me towards the end of the bar. “Go. Before Jerry sees you and decides to tell you a two-minute story over a thirty-minute time period.”

“Thank you!” I tossed my apron under the bar and grabbed my t-shirt. I didn’t put it back on and I wasn’t willing to admit to myself I was making a conscious decision to stay underdressed in front of the guys.

Drake looked up at me first when I approached. “Hey.”

I smiled shyly and looked around the table at the three of them. “I’m ready to go if you are. Kacey’s covering closing for me.”

They each stood up fast enough their chairs squeaked across the floor and drew eyes our way. If they noticed, they didn’t care. Drake took my hand and led me out of the bar.

“Are you guys good to drive?”

Price rested his hand on my back as he walked next to me. “Yeah. We had our last beer a while ago. I wouldn’t chance our precious cargo.”

I laughed and grinned at Cole when he opened the back door of the SUV for me. “This is a lot of chivalry to waste on one woman.”

“Hardly.” Drake helped me into my seat and leaned in close to buckle me in. “I heard Rosie isn’t at home tonight.”

I bit my lip and nodded.

“Do you want to see my kitchen?” He might as well have asked me if I wanted to see his naked body. The answer to both was a resoundingyes.

I was nodding like a bobble-head when I remembered Monster. “I have to feed Monster first.”

“I’d like to meet this Monster. Drake had nothing good to say about him.” Cole claimed his seat next to me again and reached over to take my hand. “I’m sure he’s not as bad as Drake made him out to be.”

Famous last words.

CHAPTER 16

Sonnie

I held Cole’s hand under the running water in my bathroom sink and met his eyes in the mirror. “I’m so sorry.”

He shrugged and laughed easily. “It was my fault. You and Drake tried to warn me.”

Price appeared in the bathroom doorway with Monster in his arms, purring away like he was an innocent kitten. “I don’t know what y’all are talking about. This little guy is so sweet.”

I forgot what I was doing with Cole’s hand as I stared at Price with a slack jaw. “What the hell?”

Monster stretched out in Price’s arms and reached his paw up to gently pet the man’s chin. I’d never seen the cat be anything more than accepting to Rosie. He was practically sending heart eyes at Price.

“He likes me.” Price shrugged and scratched Monster’s belly like that wasn’t usually something that started a war for the cat. “He’s cute.”

Cole snorted. “Cute? That little demon tried to amputate my hand.”