Page 8 of The Nice List

Thankfully, Billy isn’t too upset when we make our way back inside. I get everyone refills on their drinks and start another Christmas comedy classic just as my sister walks in with a sinister grin on her face.What the fuck is she doing here?

“Hey, little bro!” She strolls up to the bar and flops down on the stool next to Livvy.

“What are you doing here, Max?” I ask her with a furrowed brow because I know exactly why she’s here…to meddle. “Thought you had plans tonight.”

“Oh, I do.” Her grin widens. “Slade got called to do a side job after the shop closed and there’s no telling how long he’ll be. So, I told him I’d catch up with him later.”

I can just imagine what kind ofjobhe got called to do. I’m sure it has nothing to do with fixing cars like he does at Slade’s Automotive. His night job is much more nefarious. Which is why I wish my sister would distance herself from him. My reputation as a bad boy is nothing compared to Slade. He’s the real kind of dangerous.

I sigh as I glance at Livvy to see her watching us with a curious expression. “Livvy, this is my sister, Maxine.” I look at my sister pointedly, hoping she’ll keep her probing to a minimum. “Max, this is Livvy.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you in person.” My sister spins her barstool to face Livvy. “My little bro talks about you all the time.”

Livvy’s face blushes but it’s barely noticeable with the way her smile lights up at Max’s words. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

I leave them to chat while I make my sister a Mad Max. Which is a cocktail I created just for her. It’s mango juice, Everclear, and a few dashes of Tabasco sauce. Then, I make my girl anotherdrink and add a shot of Three Olives cherry vodka to make it a Dirty Shirley. Zack would probably fire me on the spot if he caught me serving alcohol to anyone under twenty-one, but since he’s not here to catch me, I do it anyway.

When I slide the glasses in front of them, I wink at Livvy. “I added an extra kick to that one,pretty girl.”

My sister rolls her eyes before lifting her glass and tipping it toward Livvy. Their glasses clink together before they both take a sip and cough. “Damn, little bro. Seems like you added an extra kick to both our drinks.”

I laugh, glad I was able to catch her off guard for a change. Serves her right for crashing my time with Livvy.

Livvy

I’ll admit I was a little nervous meeting Cory’s sister. Hell, she’s technically old enough to be my mom and I know from our conversations these past months that she’s been more of a mom to him than their mother has ever been. I was expecting a lecture about how I’m too young for her brother, but my being ten years younger than Cory didn’t seem to bother her any more than it did him when we met. We sipped our drinks and watched the Grinch movie until she got a text and took off with a smile.

Since most of the customers were gone by the time the movie was over, Cory told the rest that he was closing early. I watched as he washed the few dishes that were used and restocked the bar. When I offered to help take down the decorations, he just shook his head before insisting that he was leaving them up for the weekend.

Since my dress and high heeled sandals weren’t exactly motorcycle appropriate, Cory ordered me an Uber and kissed megoodnight before I slid into the backseat and rode back to my dorm…alone.

Now, I’m tossing and turning in my bed, wishing that I had just invited him to come with me. I know he would have. He seemed as disappointed as I was that our night was over. Then again, he could have invited me to his apartment instead of sending me home.

“Ugh!” I sigh as I reach for my phone to check the time.Two a.m.Before I can set it back on the side table, it vibrates with a text.

BB: You still up, pretty girl?

It rings before I can reply, Bon Jovi’sPlease Come Home for Christmasfilling the silence of the room until I answer the call.

“I should have just stayed when I followed your Uber earlier,” Cory says as soon as the call connects. “Or better yet, I should have had the Uber bring you to my place.”

“You followed my Uber?” I ask as I sit up in bed.

“I didn’t mean to. I just…did.” Cory scoffs. “I would say that I wanted to make sure you got home safely, but honestly, I just didn’t want to let you go yet. I had to force myself to keep riding instead of following you all the way to your room. Now, I can’t sleep knowing that you’re so close but not close enough.”

My body lights up at the thought of him following me. “Same,” I admit. “Come back.”

Cory lets out a relieved sigh. “I’ve got a better idea. Get dressed in jeans and tennis shoes if you don’t have boots. I’ll pick you up out front in thirty”

I squeal in excitement as I jump from my bed.

Chapter 6

Cory

I take the long winding road around the outskirts of town and up the mountain, loving the feeling of Livvy’s warm body pressed against my back. I’m taking her to the lookout that most of the locals don’t even know about since it’s on thewrongside of town. My side of town.

I knew if we were in a room with a bed, I wouldn’t be able to keep sex off my mind and I want to show her that this isn’t just about sex for me. She’s become so much more to me in the months since we met. Don’t get me wrong. I still want to fuck her. But I want more, too. I wanteverythingwith her.

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