Knocking Boots - Willow Winters Page 0,66

to say it out loud.

“Were?” she questions and I’ve had it.

“I said leave it alone.” My tone reflects my anger.

“Oh,” she says. It’s hard to read what she’s really thinking. “Well, alright. Let’s go to the bar with the Mexican food, then.”

“Fine,” I say, on edge. I’d rather be angry than anything else. So I cling to that emotion although I think I’m only angry at myself. “I have a lot of work I need to finish first.”

“I guess that’s why you got the promotion,” she says, with a tight smile. “I’ll be back at six to bug you, though.”

She disappears behind her side of the wall. I’m left trying to decide if I should feel bad for snapping at her.

I slip on my headphones and sink into my work, refusing to think about any of this mess of a love life anymore. Well I try. But that doesn’t work. All I can think about is Charlie and how Diane is right. We’re over. Break up, labels or whatever. It’s over.

Charlie

I’m about two seconds away from texting Grace when she walks through the front door of the bar. About fucking time.

I haven’t seen her since yesterday morning, the morning after the wedding.

She’s still in her work clothes, but her hair is down and swishing around her shoulders as she walks in.

A feminine screech echoes through the bar behind her, and Grace turns to look over her shoulder.

“We’re finally here!” Diane’s with her, and my expression falls. I don’t understand how the two of them are friends. I stay behind the bar and move to the far left, where Grace usually sits and where the dishwasher is. My eyes flicker up and I watch the two of them as I get to work. Diane stumbles slightly and talks a bit too loud. A few customers turn to watch them walk in, but then they go right back to what they were doing before.

“I love this place,” Diane says, dragging Grace by the hand. Grace lets her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and seemingly not wanting to come over to me. I don’t like it, and I don’t understand it in the least.

Diane’s quick to sit on the barstool at the far end. Grace’s stool.

I don’t pay her any attention, waiting for Grace to look at me. When she finally does, I can see the same worry there that was on her face at the wedding before she looks away again. That sick feeling of anxiety washes through me. What the hell do I need to do to make her happy?

Make it official.

I grab a glass and wipe it down with a drying cloth as Grace takes a seat.

“Hey there,” I speak up, waiting for her gaze to meet mine.

“Hey,” her voice is soft. She desperately needs more. She needs a title: girlfriend. For real. My body heats at the thought, but if that’s what it takes, I’ll give it to her. I’ll make it real and let the world know. Ever since the wedding, they’ve all been pushing me anyway.

I open my mouth to say something to put her at ease, but Diane speaks up, leaning forward and tapping the bar.

“We’re getting wasted tonight,” she says, already far more drunk than Grace. I cock a brow at her.

“Is that so?” My eyes dart back to Grace as she sets her purse down on the bar.

“Can we have two drink specials, please?” Diane asks, taking my attention again.

“That what you want, sweetheart?” I ask Grace. I hold those doe eyes when she finally looks back at me. “Whatever you want, it’s yours.” I don’t think I’ve ever said truer words.

“Yeah,” she says absently. I watch her swallow as she looks down at her clutch. It’s awkward, and I don’t like it. I don’t know what happened between yesterday and today. Whatever it is, I need to fix it.

“Thank you!” Diane practically yells, bouncing in her seat. It takes me a moment to realize she’s talking about the beers. Right.

I scratch the back of my head as I head to the cooler and get their drinks. I could fucking use one about now, too.

With two beers in one hand, the glass bottles clinking together, I quickly pop the tops off.

“Charlie!” a customer calls out to me. I wave back, giving them a tight smile but then walk up to James and brush my shoulder against his.

“Take care of them,” I instruct, and he follows my eyes to the customer.

“You got