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I nodded, then made my way to the back. I spotted Seven sitting at the end of the bar, watching Tanner. He was pouring drinks and moving with a confidence I hadn’t seen when we first hired him. I walked over and sat down next to Seven as I said, “How’s it going?”

“Can’t complain.”

“And Tallie?”

“She and Ford are at the shop. She’s got some new pottery she’s putting out, and he’s giving her a hand.”

“That’s good.” I turned my attention to Tanner as I asked, “And how are things with you? Are you settling in?”

“Sure am, thanks to Seven. He runs this place like a damn machine.” He hesitated for a second, then added, “Thank you again for giving me a chance. I appreciate it.”

“Just make good use of it and remember why you’re here.”

“Yeah, I know.” He let out a defeated breath. “I fucked up that night. I should’ve walked away, but they were running their mouths and saying shit about you and the brothers. I couldn’t let it slide.”

“Alcohol makes people do all kinds of dumb shit. Gotta remember to use your head before your fists. We’re no saints, but we don’t throw hands unless it’s truly necessary.”

“Understood.”

“Good.”

I stayed with them a while longer, just shooting the shit, and it was good to see that things with Tanner were going well, especially after how they’d started. He’d found his rhythm behind the bar, and Seven seemed pleased. I didn’t have to micromanage. That alone told me I’d made the right call bringing Tanner in.

I messaged Tabitha as I was heading out, and we made plans to order pizza and watch a movie at my place. After the week I’d had, a quiet night with her sounded damn near perfect.

By the time I got home, she was already there waiting for me. She was wearing a pair of shorts with an oversized T-shirt that hung off her shoulder, and she had her hair pulled back in a messy knot. Damn. She didn’t even have to try, and she still managed to look amazing.

We ate on the couch with some rom-com playing in the background. I didn’t even pretend to know what was going on in that movie. I was too busy watching her tilt her head back and laugh without holding back.

Eventually, she snuggled up next to me with her head resting on my chest. And just like that, everything in me settled. The noise, the weight of the club, and the tension I carried on my shoulders all quieted with her in my arms.

I have no idea how long we’d been sitting there when she whispered, “You know, I really like being with you.”

I smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “And I like being with you—even when you make me watch cheesy chick flicks.”

She laughed quietly, her fingers drawing lazy patterns on my chest. “You’re

lucky I didn’t pick the one with the sparkly vampires.”

“God no.”

“Oh, let me guess…” she looked over to me with a smirk. “You’d rather watch some old John Wayne western.”

“Hey, now. Those are classics.”

“You better watch it. You’re showing your age now.”

"You're playing with fire, woman."

"Oh, really?"

“Really.”

“Hmm.” A spark flashed through her mischievous eyes as she sassed, "What are you going to do about it?"

"Oh, no. It's not what I'm going to do about it." My eyes locked on hers. "It's what you're gonna do about it."

I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her close.