Page 64 of Your Place or Mine

I turned and found Drew Benedict plopping into the stool beside me with a far too-knowing grin.

“Evening, barkeep’s brother,” I said with a smile.

He laughed. “Wow, full sass right out of the gate. Bold choice, considering you haven’t ordered a drink yet.”

“I have faith in your service,” I said.

“Smart woman.”

He flagged down another bartender, Travis, whose name I’d learned, who gave me a friendly wave and started pulling a menu.

“You here solo?” Drew asked as he swiveled toward me.

“Is that your subtle way of asking if I’m meeting someone?”

“Wouldn’t dream of being subtle.”

I smirked and accepted the menu. “No, just me. Long day. Kitchen’s empty. Barstool looked inviting.”

“Then you’ve come to the right place. The fries are sinful, and the burger’s borderline spiritual.”

“I like a little guilt with my dinner.”

Drew leaned in slightly, all easy charm. “You reallyarefrom the city. You even sound like a dating app tagline.”

I laughed, despite myself. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should.”

He was easy to talk to, I had to admit. Playful without being pushy, funny in a way that didn’t feel like he was trying too hard. The exact opposite of his older brother, who always made it feel like talking was a negotiation, and I was two seconds away from being tossed out like bad coleslaw.

“So,” Drew said, propping his elbow on the bar, “how’s Reckless River treating you? Besides the structural trauma of the building, of course.”

I sipped the water Travis had dropped off and shrugged. “I’m still figuring it out. People are friendly, the town’s got charm, and no one’s asked if I want to invest in a timeshare, so I’m counting that as a win.”

Drew grinned. “We save the timeshare pitches for fall. Tourist trap season.”

“Oh, good. I’ll brace myself.”

“You’re doing alright though?” he asked, and the question felt genuine, not just filler.

“Yeah,” I said, surprised by the honesty in my voice. “I think I am.”

And then the temperature of the room changed.

I didn’t need to look to know why.

I felt it in the shift of air, the hush in conversation behind me, and that weird, totally illogical way the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

Callum was in the room.

My spine straightened.

Or maybe it tingled.

I reached for my water again, pretending not to notice that Drew suddenly looked more amused.

“Well, well,” he said, not even bothering to hide it. “The bear emerges.”

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