Page 37 of Golden Touch
With an awkward chuckle, I give her a tight hug. “Sorry, Popps. I know I should have called already, but it’s been crazy.”
“Oh, please.” She gives me a look that tells me what she thinksof this weak excuse. “Nash, if you’re struggling, I’m your first call, not your last. And I can’t believe I had to hear you were in town from Corky and his crew. Did you hear Corky’s wife left him?”
“Hell.” I hadn’t heard that about our old friend. “I’ll ask him out for drinks. Now get off the counter before the customers decide it’s a good idea to riot for cases of Goldenpour.”
“Fine. But beer me,” she says, hopping down and grabbing an empty glass. Then she cocks her head and frowns. “Who’s that? You’re keeping a pretty girl in the refrigerator? She looks unhappy.”
“She does?” I twist my head and catch a glimpse of Livia before she disappears.
“She looks annoyed. And maybe I’m the reason?”
“Interesting.” I chuckle.
Poppy’s eyes twinkle as she pushes her glass toward me. “Nash, I’m so impressed! In town for a few days, and you’ve already got a girlfriend? That’s quick work, even for you.”
I open my mouth to say that Livia isn’t my girlfriend, but somehow nothing comes out. Because it’s hitting me that I wish it were true. It’s been a while since I wanted to date anyone, but that’s what I want from Livia.
Too bad she’s ten paces behind me on this revelation.
Reading me, Poppy cackles. “Aw, Nash has itbad. Better tell her we’re just friends. What do I owe you for the beer?”
“Nothing, Popps. Thanks for hunting me down. And I’ll be a better friend. Want to have dinner tonight?”
“Can’t.” Another shrug. “Going dancing in Montreal with the girls. But we’ll hang out soon, you hear? If you’re only in town a few weeks, I need to see more of you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I give her a mock salute. “You can talk me off the ledge my father has me out on.”
She winces. “I can only imagine. That old coot doesn’t appreciate you, and I’m betting he’s not a very grateful hospital patient.”
“You got that right.” This is why Poppy and I have been friends since grade school. She gets me.
“But hey—call Corky, okay? Like,immediately. He misses you, and he’s in a bad place.”
“Okay, I will. I swear.”
Poppy takes a gulp of her beer and flicks her eyes toward the cooler again. “Your girl is nervous, so I’m out of here. Bye, handsome. Tell her I want to meet her. We’ll hang out.”
“Sounds like fun.”
After we say goodbye, I grab my phone out of my pocket and steal a few seconds to text Corky.
I’d love to see you. Drinks tomorrow?
“Yo, can I get some service?”
I glance up, irritated, to lock eyes with the next person who’s stepped up to the counter. He’s a big, rough-looking guy with a biker jacket on his broad frame. He’s got a beard that never sees a trimmer and a dangerous look in his eye.
“Sure. What are you drinking?” I reach for a tasting glass.
“Need help,” he says. “But I don’t need a beer.”
Then you’re in the wrong place, pal.
“I’m lookin’ for a girl. Name’s Ivy. I think she works here. ’Bout yay big.” He holds up a hand about five and a half feet off the ground.
My brain jumps right to Livia. “Ivy, you say?”
“That’s right.” He crosses his arms. “We’re old friends. I need to have a chat with her.”
