her overly inquisitive friend, or maybe it was an overly perceptive friend, and shrugged.
“Last I heard, Slade was coming to Seattle.”
“Well, he came.” Erika took a sip of water and giggled when she realized what she’d just said.
“You didn’t.” Daisy’s eyes were wide.
“I mean, he came to Seattle. Get your head out of the gutter.”
“My head’s never been in the gutter. You were the one who giggled,” Daisy pointed out.
“You’re trouble with a capital T.” Erika smiled.
“So, Slade came to Seattle. You visited him. End of story?” Daisy pressed. “Are you two still merely friends?”
“I tell you way too much,” Erika joked.
“Not enough, apparently.” Daisy smiled. “I think I know what happened.”
“Do tell.” Erika grinned as a couple came into the bar and took a seat in the far corner.
“I think you met him in Seattle, couldn’t keep your hands off each other, and you slept together.”
“Wow. You have quite the imagination,” Erika teased.
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
Drew walked into the bar, and Erika shot Daisy a warning look. “Right about what?”
Erika was certain Daisy would keep her lips sealed.
Daisy leaned into the bar. “I think Erika slept with Slade.”
Traitor.
Drew smiled a smile that told Erika he already knew, which made no sense. The last time Slade had talked to Drew had been weeks ago.
“Is that so?” Drew asked, folding his arms over his chest.
Erika shook her head. “I don’t know where Daisy gets this stuff.”
“It’s written all over your face.” Drew smiled.
Erika walked over to the espresso machine, which was usually only used for mocha martinis, and drew herself a shot.
“You have a spring in your step I’ve never seen,” Daisy pointed out.
Erika turned around and pretended to frown. “You two are just making things up. Now, I’m going to be the adult in this situation and go tend to the couple sitting in the corner.”
As Erika took off toward the newly seated table, she heard Drew snicker. “Don’t worry. We’ll be here waiting.”
Erika couldn’t help but smile. These people were like family, which was precisely why she could never imagine leaving Silver Ridge.
This was her home, and it gave Scott every chance to explore his interests.
When Erika approached the table, the couple were deep in conversation, but they stopped the moment they saw her and smiled.
“Hi, I’m Erika. Would you like to place a drink order?”
“Desperately,” the man said, and the woman sitting with him laughed.
They both ordered martinis, and by the time Erika got back to the counter, Daisy had already left to help another table.
But that left Drew.
Erika began making the dirty martini while ignoring Drew’s mischievous look. After she poured the dirty martini into the glass, she began making the lemontini.
“You’re going to have to look at me at some point,” Drew whispered.
“No, I won’t.”
Drew laughed. “So it’s true?”
“What’s true?” Erika glanced at her boss and couldn’t hide her smile.
“I called it.” Drew clapped his hands. “I totally called it.”
“What are you talking about?” Erika slid the drinks onto the tray and made her way over to the table where she gave the customers their drinks and took their food order.
When she got back to the bar, Daisy was there with Drew, deep in discussion.
“What did you call?” Erika asked.
“Remember that morning I invited Scott with my brother and me to hike?”
Erika nodded.
“I had no plans to go hiking until I saw you and Slade. The sparks were flying.” Drew grinned. “So, I figured some alone time just might do the trick. Was I right?”
Erika laughed and put the customers’ food order into the computer. “I’m sure it helped.”
“Helped lead to . . .” Drew wiggled his brows, and Erika returned the favor with an eye roll.
Drew and the rest of the North brothers knew how little interest Erika had in men. Over the years, they’d tried to fix her up with friends and relatives, but it never happened.
Erika always had a great excuse for every such near encounter.
“All I know is that Slade is a really nice person. We have a connection, and that’s about it.”
“Boy, you just made something completely scintillating sound as boring as watching me peel a potato,” Daisy muttered.
Drew nodded in agreement.
“Fine. Drew, cover your ears.” Erika grinned and lowered her voice. “Slade is the sexiest man with the most amazing moves I’ve ever experienced.” She frowned. “Not that I’ve actually experienced that many, but I’ve heard . . .”
Daisy chuckled. “Most men don’t know their way around a female.”
“Hey, now.” Drew laughed. “I know more than you can imagine.”
Erika laughed.