Page 77 of Cold as Stone
“Is it? I wouldn’t mind a replay.”
Laughing, I kick him playfully with my foot.
“Ready to go home?”
As he helps me down from the bar and we gather our scattered clothes, I can’t help but smile. He’s right—coming back to Stoneheart, buying Devil’s, falling in love with Lee Armstrong—it’s all been the best gamble of my life.
18
KYA
The Saturday evening crowd at Devil’s is steady but manageable. I’m behind the bar, trying not to watch the door every five minutes like some lovesick teenager.
Lee walks in just after seven, and my traitorous heart does a stupid skip. I smile but it slowly fades as I take him in. He looks tense, his jaw tight as he approaches the bar.
“Hey,” I say, already reaching for his usual beer.
“Hey.” He glances around, noting the crowd, then leans across the bar. “We need to talk. Can you take a break?”
My stomach drops. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just... come here for a sec?”
I follow him to the back office, anxiety building. He closes the door and immediately pulls me into his arms.
“I have to go out of town,” he says against my hair. “Tonight. I’ve got to follow up on some Summit leads.”
I pull back to look at him. “When will you be back?”
“Tomorrow night, late probably.” His thumb strokes my cheek. “I’m sorry. I know tomorrow’s your day off. I was planning to spend the whole day with you.” The disappointment must show on my face because he kisses me softly. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“It’s fine. This is important.” I force a smile. “Besides, I should probably catch up on paperwork anyway.”
A knock on the door interrupts us. Ginger pokes her head in, Tank visible behind her.
“Sorry to interrupt the goodbye kisses,” she says, not looking sorry at all. “But Lee, the boys are ready to roll.”
Lee sighs, pressing his forehead to mine. “I gotta go.”
“Be safe,” I whisper.
He kisses me once more, deep and promising, then heads out. Tank follows, but Ginger lingers, watching me.
“You look like someone just canceled Christmas,” she observes.
“It’s nothing. It’s just that we had plans for tomorrow.” I force a smile. “But it’s fine. This is important.”
“It is,” she agrees, then her eyes light up dangerously. “Wait! This is perfect! Girls’ night!”
“Ginger, I don’t think?—“
“No thinking! Just fun!” She pulls out her phone, already texting. “Tomorrow night, we’re going out. And I meanOUTout. Not to some dive bar in Stoneheart where everyone knows us.”
“I’m the only dive bar in Stoneheart,” I point out dryly.
“Which is exactly why Steel’s going to be our driver.” She grins wickedly. “Poor boy owes me for making him help with Tank’s surprise party planning. He’ll drive us to Millbrook. We’ll make a night of it.”
Mercy appears from the stockroom. “Did I hear someone say girls’ night?”
