Page 30 of Past and Present

“I say we declare this place decorated and take over the bar since the fellas abandoned it,” Dakota said.

Erin shrugged. “Fine by me. And for the love of God can I please borrow a phone.”

Marissa bit her lip. “I want to, but I don’t want to get you in trouble either.”

Erin bared her teeth and growled. “I love him to death, but he’s taking his mission to make me take a vacation a little too far. But I guess I shouldn’t be trying to get you in trouble either.”

Marissa laughed and watched Austin step behind the bar.

“What are we drinking ladies?”

Marissa pulled her phone out and tapped the screen while she absently asked Austin for a beer.

When a glass bottle appeared in front of her, she set phone on the bar next to her and turned to make small talk with Dakota.

“Real cute,” Dakota said. “You’re gonna feel bad when Samuel gives her the hair brush or something later.”

“Oh hush, Dakota. I’m a grown woman. I’ll take the punishment if he catches me.”

Marissa laughed and sipped her beer. “I respect that. And I didn’t do anything. Just set my phone down.”

While Marissa talked with the others, Erin slipped into a corner with the phone and started making phone calls.

Halfway through her second beer, she looked up to see Samuel standing just inside the bar, leaned against the wall watching Erin.

“Oops,” she said when his eyes shifted and he narrowed his gaze at her.

Dakota turned and gave him a big wave. Marissa rotated to the corner Erin stood in. Her back was to the door, so she had no idea she was about to get caught.

Marissa stood, intent on heading over to warn her, but Dakota stopped her. “Like she said, she’s a grown woman.”

“Listen to Dakota. Now there’s something I thought I’d never say,” Samuel said, causing Marissa to jump. He’d approached while she had her back turned.

“Fuck,” Marissa muttered. “Sorry Samuel.”

He lifted an eyebrow.

“Sorry Master Samuel,” Marissa corrected.

“Better.”

He strode to his girl and tapped her on the shoulder. Interestingly, he let her finish whatever call she was on before he held his hand out for the phone.

Marissa watched as he draped an arm around her and they headed for the exit.

“Can I have my phone back?” Marissa called as they passed the bar.

Samuel looked over at her and tucked it in his back pocket.

“I’ll give it to Lance. You can ask him for it.”

“Ooh that’s rotten, Samuel,” Dakota said with a snicker.

Marissa sighed. “No. It’s fair.”

“Well, I guess this little party is over since I’m about to be in trouble,” she said when Samuel and Erin were gone.

The remaining women finished their drinks and talked about the party tomorrow night. When her beer bottle was empty, Marissa slid it toward Austin who still stood behind the bar.

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