Page 24

But as she stepped into the familiar warmth of the bar, all those anxieties dimmed. The air still smelled faintly of lemon oil and old whiskey. Light poured through the windows, illuminatingevery surface she had scrubbed clean the day before. Her boots echoed across the wooden floor as she moved behind the bar, checking the taps as well as double-checking the stock. Everything was exactly where it should be.

By late afternoon, the sign on the door was flipped toOPEN, and the buzz began. Locals trickled in, then more, and soon the low hum of voices, laughter, and clinking glasses filled the air like it had never left.

Billie Ann wiped down the bar, smiling at familiar faces. Frank was in his element, working beside her with the same easy rhythm he always had. Bruce was perched on the counter’s edge, swishing his tail and tossing snide comments between sips out of a saucer full of whiskey someone had smuggled for him.

“You look like you belong here,” Frank said during a lull, nodding toward her.

“I think I finally believe that,” she replied, her smile confident as she looked around at the customers who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

And there, leaning against the back wall with that maddeningly confident grin, was Rafe.

Their eyes met, and something unspoken passed between them, like an electric current grounding her to the moment.

“You’re looking beautiful tonight,” Frisco had walked over and leaned against the bar.

Bruce snorted, rolling his eyes. “Look who’s trying to get a beer on the house.”

“Thanks, Frisco.” Billie Ann said, ignoring Bruce. She grabbed a beer from the cooler and set it down on the bar in front of him.“But Bruce is right. You don’t have to lie in order to get a free beer.”

“I need two margaritas and two beers,” Macy said as she rushed up to the bar. “Hey, Frisco.”

“Macy,” Frisco gave her a nod, then took a drink of his beer.

“I got the margarita,” Frank said, getting to work on the drinks.

Billie Ann noticed how Macy kept sneaking glances at Frisco. Interesting. Setting two beers on her tray, she smiled at Macy, who blushed after getting caught staring at Frisco.

“Two margaritas,” Frank announced, setting them on her tray beside the beers.

“Thanks, Frank,” Macy smiled, then took off this time, keeping her eyes off Frisco. Her bright smile dimmed.

Once Frank moved down the bar to fill an order, Billie Ann glanced at Frisco. “How well do you know Macy?” she asked nonchalantly. When he gave her a sideways glance, she figured it wasn't nonchalant enough.

“Why?” Frisco cocked his eyebrow at her.

Billie shrugged as she wiped the already clean bar. “Just wondering.” She replied, then glanced at Rafe, who was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, watching her.

“How well do you know him?” Frisco gave a sideways nod toward Rafe.

Narrowing her eyes at Frisco, she frowned. “None of your business.” She replied, then glanced at Macy, who was laughing with a group of Crow Shifters. “She’s beautiful, sweet, and totally into you.”

“Too sweet for me,” Frisco said, setting his empty beer down. “I’m more into bartenders.”

“Frank’s married,” Billie Ann replied, gaining a chuckle from Bruce.

“She got you on that one, Crow boy.” Bruce snickered as he leaped off the bar. “Give it up, man.”

“I hate that fucking cat,” Frisco growled, glaring at Bruce, who walked casually away.

“He’s funny,” Billie Ann chuckled. Then she held up a beer toward Rafe, who nodded. She started around the bar past Frisco, who grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“Have dinner with me.” Frisco’s voice was low and coaxing as he looked down at her, his hand still wrapped gently but firmly around her arm.

Billie Ann’s smile faded. It wasn’t the first time he’d asked, and it wouldn’t be the last if he kept reading her kindness as something more.

“We’ve had this conversation, Frisco. Friends. That’s all we’ll ever be.” She lifted her chin. “Let go of my arm.”

His grip didn’t tighten, but it didn’t fall away either. “You say that, but the way you look at me?—”