Page 17

"Elena!" She practically launched herself out of her barstool, all blonde waves and bright eyes, wrapping me in a hug before I had time to react. Joy hugged like she loved, with her whole damn heart—wholly and unapologetically.
"Hey, Joy." I patted her back.
Maverick kissed my cheek and winked at me. “How’s it goin’, Wildflower?”
"Did your brother tell you the stunt he pulled this mornin’?" I asked as I slid onto a barstool at the corner of the bar, where it curved just enough to fit the three of us.
Maverick and Joy sat on one side, angled slightly toward each other, looking like they belonged there—two sides of the same coin. I took the other side, facing them. The polished wood was cool beneath my arms as I leaned in.
She grinned wide. “Well, hell, woman, why do you think I needed to see you? He told me about Duke Wilder and the pissin’ contest they got into overyou.”
“Hey, Elena.” The bartender slid a coaster in front of me and poured me a glass of water.
“Bailey, how’s it goin’?”
“It’s good. Real good.” She smiled at me. “You lookin’ good, Elena…actually, you lookin’ dangerous. I’m tired of seein’ women all prettied up when they come here, and you look like you just wrangled a steer.”
“And damn if I didn’t take a shower and swipe some mascara on before I came here,” I protested.
Bailey cocked an eyebrow. “I buy the shower, but the mascara…hon, do you even know how to use a wand?”
“A wand…like one with magic?” I asked, puzzled.
“A mascara wand,” Joy explained, laughing.
Bailey chuckled. “See what I mean? Hon, women shouldn’t fake orgasms and or makeup—it doesn’t end up well. Except on you ‘cause you don’t need any goop on your face. How can you look like this when you spend your day out under the sun?”
“Good genes?” I suggested.
Bailey rolled her eyes. “Your usual?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Maverick’s phone rang, and he sighed. “I got to take this.” He stepped away, and Joy leaned toward me.
“Gimme.”
I sighed. “Nothin’ to give.”
I thanked Bailey, who slid a bourbon neat on a coaster toward me. “You think you can rustle up some of those bison sliders? I’ve not eaten lunch, and I’m starvin’.”
Bailey winked in response and went to put my order into the system.
“Duke’s the guy who broke your heart, ain’t he?” Joy might appear to be young and flighty, but she was perceptive as fuck.
“Joy, you know I?—”
“I know you don’t talk about your private life, but,babe, we’re friends, and that means we talk about our lives, and that includes theprivate.”
Before I could answer, a tourist-looking idiot in a Cashmere sweater (I swear to God) strolled up to the table, drink in hand.
"Well, hey there," he said, all fake confidence and indolent charm. "I was watchin’ you, and I just gotta say—you are one gorgeous woman. That whole cowgirl thing works for you.”
My jaw clenched.
Joy made a face like she was already bored.
I barely glanced at the man. "You gotta say that, huh?"