Page 23 of Welcome to Forever
“Well, we’re going out to dinner tonight anyway, right?” Julie shut the fridge and leaned against the counter. “We’ll work on finding you that rebound guy tonight and get groceries tomorrow. It’s a wonder you’re still breathing.” Her sister winked playfully.
“I’m the older sister. I’m the one who is supposed to be making sure you’re okay.”
Julie’s smile wilted only slightly. “All good.” Her catchphrase for as long as Kat could remember. Everything was always “all good.” And Kat usually believed her. But Julie was suddenly home, and the dark circles under her eyes made Kat wonder at the reason.
“How soon do the bars open in Seaside anyway?” Julie asked, flashing a wicked grin.
“Only one bar in Seaside, remember? Heroes. And I believe it’s open right now.”
“Good.” Julie headed toward her suitcase. “I’ll freshen up, we’ll grab a bite, and then we’ll work on getting you laid.”
Kat spewed the drink of water she’d just sipped onto the floor in front of her. “Who said anything about having sex?” Kat asked.
Julie chuckled, looking her over. “Sis, you are wound tighter than a forty-year-old virgin. But okay, fine.” She held up her hands in surrender. “You can start by getting wasted drunk tonight and we’ll advance to orgasms another night. How’s that?”
Kat’s shoulders relaxed a notch. Drunk sounded nice. “Perfect.”
—
Micah reluctantly walked through the door of Heroes, Seaside’s only bar. It was a popular hole-in-the-wall that catered to the local military. How had Lawson talked him into coming here after the dinner from hell, when Ben had stared at his lettuce like eating it was some new form of torture? He just wanted his kid to be happy. Was that too much to ask?
“Ben’ll be fine with your aunt. Aunt Clara is awesome.” Lawson bumped his shoulder, seeming to read his mind. “You need some time off to unwind.”
Drinking wasn’t Micah’s idea of unwinding. Unwinding was tilling dirt. Riding his mower. Fishing. “Aunt Clara?” Micah teased. “She’s my aunt, you know? Not yours.”
Lawson shrugged. “What happened to what’s mine is yours?”
“I never said that.” Micah frowned. “And keep your voice down. You’re making us sound like an old married couple.”
Lawson’s gaze skimmed over him. “Nah. You’re not my type, bro. Bar or table?”
“Table.” Micah hated the bar. The bar was for people who wanted to talk about their problems. And while Jeff, the regular bartender here, was a good listener, Micah wasn’t in the mood. He’d rather drink and listen to Lawson talk.
Truth be told, he’d really rather go home.
They headed toward a round table in the back corner, as Lawson scanned the room for women. Micah guessed he’d be ditched within the hour. Then he could nab Ben and maybe catch the tail end of a game on TV.
Settling into his seat, Lawson whistled under his breath. “Don’t look now, but a smokin’ hot brunette just walked through the door.”
Micah turned to look.
“I saiddon’tlook.” Lawson shook his head, and then flashed a charming smile at the waitress standing next to him. “I’ll just have a Coke to start with, sweetheart.”
The young woman flushed as she nodded. “And for you?” she asked, smiling at Micah.
“A beer, please.” Turning, he looked at the woman who’d just walked in again. “That brunette you have your eye on looks familiar. I think she works at Ben’s school.” He watched the woman join a table with two other women and his mouth went dry. “Kat.” And another woman who looked a lot like Kat. He hadn’t started drinking yet, and he was already seeing double.
“I spotted her first, buddy. But because you saved my life in the desert—”
Micah faced Lawson. “Her name is Val, and I’m not interested in her. I know her friend. Don’t look—” His words came out as Lawson craned his neck to stare at the table of women.
His head bobbed approvingly. “Which one is yours? She-Ra or Cinderella?”
“She-Ra?” Micah asked, lifting a brow.
“Yeah. You know. Princess of Power.” Lawson waved a hand. “I’m guessing you’re into Cinderella. She’s more your type, all sweet and innocent looking.”
“Cinderella? Your man card is in jeopardy right now, man. Her name is Kat Chandler. She’s Ben’s principal.”
