squeezes my hand. “Someone like you.”
We don’t leave Ronan’s grandfather’s until late in the afternoon.
“That was so much fun.” I buckle myself in. “Your family is so…normal.”
“I don’t know if I’d exactly call us normal, but I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
“I had a fantastic time. Your brothers are great, and I can see why you and Henry are so close. He really loves you, you know.”
Ronan nods. “Yeah. I’m pretty lucky to have him.”
“That bar is so special to him. He has so many fantastic memories all caught up in that place, it’s a wonder he let you renovate.”
“Well, it helps that I made the suggestions a few years back and Grams had been on board. Gramps had a harder time with the possible changes because of how much of his heart is tied up in the place.”
“I can see how that would be difficult. What do think is going to happen to The Knight Cap once you start your brewery?” It’s heartbreaking to think of that legacy coming to an end.
“I don’t know. I’m hopeful Lars will take more of an interest in the management side of things, but he’s young yet, so we’ll see.” He taps the steering wheel, his expression hard to read, but it softens quickly. “We should stop and grab your SUV, shouldn’t we?”
“Oh yes! That’s a good idea, then I don’t have to worry about how I’m getting to work in the morning.”
He pulls into the lot behind the building and parks beside my SUV, tapping the wheel restlessly. “It’s still early, did you want to come back to my place?”
“Or you could come back to mine?” My apartment isn’t as nice as Ronan’s, but it’s cute and homey and a few minutes closer so getting up and out in the morning won’t be as much of a challenge.
“I could definitely do that.” His gaze moves over me in a slow sweep. “I haven’t quite had my fill of you yet, today.”
“I feel exactly the same way.” I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. “See you back at my place, then.”
chapter eighteen
Purse Strings
Blaire
Wow, you’re in a good mood,” Daphne observes the next morning. “It’s almost like you’ve got the post-laid afterglow going on.”
I stop writing the daily special on the chalkboard to look at her.
Her eyes go wide. “Holy hell! You did get laid!”
I slap her arm. “I don’t think the people outside heard you!”
She rushes toward the front door. I’m not sure if she’s kidding or actually planning to scream it down the street, but I chase after her and slide my body in front of the door before she can open it and shout my private information to the world.
She rolls her eyes. “I wasn’t really going to tell the entire neighborhood, you loon. What the hell happened?” She grabs me by the shoulders. “Oh my God, you slept with Ronan, didn’t you?”
Judging by her expression, I don’t need to respond with words.
“You did! How did that happen?”
“Well, Daphne, when a man and a woman get naked—”
She waves her hand in the air to stop me. “Don’t be sarcastic. I mean, I guess it was bound to happen because you two have turned bickering into foreplay, but what happened to make it finally happen?”
“Mistletoe.”
“Mistletoe?”
“He kissed me under the mistletoe at midnight on New Year’s.”
Her face falls. “That’s actually romantic.”
“Why do you look so disappointed?”
“Because I assumed you two would get into an argument and end up hate fucking each other or something. But that just sounds sweet.”
“If it makes you feel better, he’s a bit of a dirty talker.”
Her expression is a mix of surprise and glee. “He is not!”
“Oh, he very much is.”
“So the sex was stellar? He’s got it going on?” She motions to her crotch.
“Oh yeah, he totally has it going on, and the sex was mind-blowing. He actually stayed over last night.” I can feel my face heating up, partially at the memories of what happened between the sheets, and on top of them, and in the shower.
“Whoa, wait, so this isn’t a one-time thing?”
I’m not sure what to make of her shock. “Uh, no, not a one-time thing.”
She props her hip against the counter, concern furrowing her brow. “Is that really a good idea? I mean, sure, scratch the itch, but now you’re what? Sleeping with the enemy on the regular?”
“He’s not the enemy.”
“Aren’t you the one who said he’s your competition? You’re both in the semifinals for Best Bar, and he’s got a lead