Page 25 of Major Love

Is Casey’s business partner in town right now?

I mean, I obviously know that Casey isn’t, seeing as I’ve been video-calling him while he’s on base. And he wouldn’t hide out in Phoenix Falls because every second that he’s at home he always spends with Haven and Tucker.

So with that possibility crossed off the list, I take a tentative step forward, until I’m just breaching the threshold and peering into the newly renovated bar.

It’s stunning, and so Casey, which makes my heart ache a little.

Why on earth is he hiding this from me?

It almost reminds me of his cabin, with its exposed log panelling and dark brown hues, the whole interior cosy and intimate, every pane gleaming and smooth to the touch.

I drop my hand from the wall and slowly make my way toward the back, resting both of my palms flat down on the supports of the L-shaped bar. It’s missing its counter top, which means this place is still very much mid-reno, and when I peek down the back-rooms corridor I can see that old appliances have been stripped out – meaning that there are definitely a few essentials that will need to be purchased before this bar is ready.

And they will no doubt be a few expensiveessentials.

I tilt my head to the side and feel a blonde curl brush against my cheek.

I bite back a small smile.

This project has my name written all over it.

A small buzzing in my pocket recaptures my attention, and I give the bar one last look before heading back out into the afternoon light.

The grey-blue sky overhead is still threatening a storm, but the gentle drizzle that’s hitting the pavement looks like it’ll be sufficing for now.

I pull my cell out of my jacket and tap onto my email notification.

My eyes light up with surprise when I see that it’s a message from Casey – the spotty cell service in the area probably making the email come through later than it otherwise would have. So I tap a quick message out to him in response, not knowing if it’ll send while I’m not connected to his WiFi but trying nonetheless.

And then I’m smiling as I step into the gentle rainfall, knowing exactly what I can do while I’m back in town.

Casey is currently super low on cash, andI’vejust been transferred more money than anyone could ever need. Plus, I’ve spent over ten years running one of the finest bars in Nashville, meaning that, if he needs a helping hand, I’m more than suitable for this particular job.

I shield my eyes from the cool rain, glancing around to see if I can spot Casey’s business partner. But when no-one in the square catches my eye, I turn on my heel back toward Casey’s truck.

And smack head-first into a guy coming from the opposite direction.

I stumble back a step, breathing out a laugh as I glance up at the unsuspecting figure, his expression half-startled as a smirk curls his lip.

“Apologies,” he says, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. He looks me up and down as he pockets his lighter.

He looks like a bouncer – broad, tall, and good-looking – with dark blonde scruff on his jaw that makes him seem Scandinavian.

He raises his eyebrows toward the bar that I’ve just stepped out of, and I instantly raise my own, wondering if this guy could be Casey’s business partner.

“Bar’s closed for a couple months,” he states.

I can’t stop myself. “Is it yours?”

He shakes his head and puffs on his cigarette before removing it with his thumb and forefinger.

“I wish,” he says gruffly, blowing smoke to the side as he taps the ash. “Whole town’s gonna love this place.”

“Why’s that?”

He jerks his chin at it. “Take a look.”

I glance back at it over my shoulder, admiring the gleaming wood even from here.

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