Page 70 of Never Left You

I twisted around, looking towards the front door. She rode with Wyatt, so I was surprised to not see her after he made his way in.

“Bathroom maybe.” Lachlan looked over to the bar where Wyatt was now eyeing a group of girls, not ordering drinks. “How long is it going to take him?”

“Well, did you really trust Wyatt with drinks?” Kyla began to scootch from the booth. “I got it. Cash, whatcha’ drinkin?”

“Just whatever is on tap.”

“I’ll get you the local brew.” Kyla smiled.

“Hey Ky…” Lachlan held up his hand.

“I know, I know.” She tapped the brim of his hat, reminding him to remove it. “Coke with a shot of whiskey. Be right back.”

I stood with the goal of helping the pregnant lady with the drinks, when I was instantly stopped in my tracks.

Abi was at the bar, standing next to Kyla, the brightest sparkle in her expression. I hadn’t seen her since she had left the table after dinner. She went to change, and when I saw her last, her hair was still in the messy bun, and the tips of her boots were covered in mud, but now…

Dark leggings hugged her thighs, and brown boots reached almost to her knee. A blue button down shirt was knotted at her waist, a white tank top peeking through. Her messy bun was now in a perfect mermaid braid that hung over her left shoulder. Her blue eyes shone brighter than any other in the place, and she laughed as Kyla ordered, the sweet sound floating through the crowd even here to me.

She was radiant.

I couldn’t look away.

I was stunned, and my bones melted. Thank God the booth was right next to me because before I knew it, I was sitting back down.

“And why are you looking at my sister like that?”

Rhett’s question pulled me from my stupor.

“I’m not,” I snapped, my defenses rising.I totally was…

“Yeah, you are,” Lachlan agreed. “You have been now for weeks.”

“We’ve all caught on.” Rhett shook his head, leaning on the table.

“Caught on to what?” A softer voice rang in my ears.

And that was Abi, standing at the front of the table, her eyes locked with mine.

“Nothing,” I said, my voice heavy.

Abi lifted her chin, motioning for Lach and me to move over so she could weasel her way in next to us. She placed a shot glass in front of Lachlan and a pint in front of me. She had her drink in her hand, an Arnold Palmer she probably spiked with vodka—that was her drink, always. I swallowed as I watched her mouth touch the glass, the clear lip-gloss making her lips look even more plump and perfect in this lighting.

I cleared my throat and glanced at Rhett. He was safer, I wouldn't get all flustered looking at him, but his eyes werefocused on me, his eyebrow raised almost to his hairline as he pulled Kyla in close.

“You may have to go save Quinn.” Kyla let out a small laugh. “Wyatt is working his way down the bar, and I swear he’s had eyes for her since he got back.”

With that statement pulling me from my Abi-fog, I whipped my head to the bar, relieved when I saw Quinn talking to somebody other than Wyatt. “He talks to her, he dies,” I grumbled, lifting my glass. Sure, Quinn was ‘just a client’, but she was young and didn’t need Wyatt Hartwell making moves.

“Ha,” Lachlan barked. “She’ll turn him down.”

“I love how it was his idea to come here, yet he’s not celebrating with us,” I pointed out.

“Nah,” Abi chuckled. “He just wanted a designated driver.”

“But he drove?” I raised a brow, finally taking a swig of beer.

“Most likely he’ll leave his truck here, or I’ll drive him home,” Abi remarked.

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