Page 20 of Long Shot

“And you’re a good boy.” I press a kiss between his eyes, my favorite spot to smooch him. Sometimes there are lipstick marks there, but Jack doesn’t care. “I have to go to work now. I’ll be home later.”

I drop my phone into my purse and slip my feet into black ballet flats. I step outside into the cool overcast day, the air holding a hint of rain. Hmmm. I dart back into the duplex to grab my umbrella, just in case, then briskly walk the ten blocks or so to Conquistadors.

I think more about last night and how much fun I had at the tequila-tasting, surrounded by people my own age, especially Carrie and Hayden. I like them both. Hayden is harder to get to know, quieter and more reserved, but I respect that, and I also respect that Hayden is apparently a brilliant scientist. And if Beck cares about her, then that’s enough for me, because Beck is a good guy.

I also had fun sparring a little with Cade.

Of course, one of his many female conquests showed up. Ugh.

As usual he placated the woman. I have to admit that even though these women keep showing up with “broken hearts” because he hasn’t called them, he’s never a jerk to them.

He didn’t look at Carlotta the way he looked at me, watching me, waiting for me to give my assessments of the tequila. And he seemed impressed when I did so.

I don’t really know that much about tequila, but I’ve done sommelier training courses in the past and I’ve been told I have a finely tuned palate. I enjoyed practicing those skills . . . visualizing and isolating the flavors, identifying them, paying attention to texture and body. It’s a challenge and something I’ve missed.

I duck my head briefly, smiling at the memory of interest flaring in Cade’s eyes, and his comment about how he thought I like to be in charge.

He was right about that.

Butnotbeing in charge is what I want right now.

As usual, I’m early for my shift and inside the bar I find Cade, Marco, and Beck engaged in some kind of tense standoff.

“I have too much work to do.” Cade crosses his arms.

“No you fucking don’t,” Beck snarls. “Get your ass home and get your bike.”

Taken aback, I try to inconspicuously move around them and down the hall to the staff room. Cade starts down the hall, presumably toward the back door, the same time as I do. I halt to let him go first, eyeing him.

He’s pissed.

He slashes his hand out to me in an impatient gesture for me to precede him. I raise my eyebrows. “What’s wrong? Are they making you take time off?”

His jaw tightens.

This is unusual for him. Cade doesn’t usually get angry. He doesn’t usually get . . . anything. He’s usually calm and impassive.

I step in front of him and stroll down the hall, sensing his big presence behind me. “You know an hour away from here isn’t going to destroy your business. We got things.”

“I know,” he grits out.

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Nothing.” He shoves out the back door and I cock my head, watching the door slam shut behind him

Oookay.

I stow my purse in my locker and head out front. As I walk past the kitchen, Sid calls out to me. “Hey, Reese.”

I pause, back up, and entered the kitchen. “Hey, Sid. What’s up?”

He glances around, then grabs a towel to wipe his hands and walks toward me. “Got a minute?”

“Sure.” I’m always early for my shift.

Sid walks me out of the kitchen and into the hall where we’re alone. “You know everyone wants me to change up the menu, try new things.”

“Yeah.” I cross my arms.

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