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“That’s the last of the beer. You want me to close?”

Without turning, I shook my head. “Nah. See you tomorrow.”

To avoid constantly staring at the newcomer, I kept busy with inventory, marking items off like a robot. Why did my whole family have an issue with me dating my bar? I had my chance with a mate, and I screwed it up before it even began. Shifters only got one. No point in searching for another.

“Excuse me?”

I spun and nearly landed flat on my ass. The woman who met with Ash hopped up on a barstool. My wolf uncurled and stretched as though waking from a decade-long hibernation. For a split second, light flared through my chest.Was she…?Then reality kicked in and snuffed it out. The universe already gave me my chance and I missed it.

I pushed the emotions aside, flung the dishtowel over my shoulder and got my shit together.

She was pretty. Delicate features, a beautiful smile, deep hazel eyes that were all mysterious in the low light. Her dark brown hair tumbled over the tightly wrapped scarf around her neck. Even though that girl stole my heart fifteen years ago, I could still appreciate a beautiful woman when I saw one.

She placed her purse on the bar top and scanned the shelves behind me. “Okay, bartender, hit me with your best cocktail. No cream.”

This, I could do. The dating shit? Not so much.

For all his flaws, and the list was fucking long, in this case Liam was right. I was more than happy to date my bar until they buried my ass on the Cole ranch. Dating a bar came with only two complications: taxes and suppliers who couldn’t keep their word.

Dating women who weren’therfelt like living a lie.

I flattened both palms on the bench. “You’re not in the big city anymore, darlin’. Folks here think people who drink cocktails also add soda to their bourbon. And…” I screwed up my face to emphasize my point. “What crazy person adds soda to bourbon?”

That made her smile, lighting up her eyes. Weird sensations sped through my veins and my wolf purred like a damn house cat. Now wasn’t the time for it to pounce around. Besides, this woman wouldn’t stay long. No one from the city ever did.

“I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of the locals by having such an outlandish drink choice.”

I held back my smirk. “Wise move.”

“Okay, in that case, I’ll have bourbon please. Straight up.”

I grabbed my favorite and poured her a nip, placing the glass on a napkin in front of her.

She reached for her purse, but I held up my hand. “It’s on the house.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Think of it as a reward for choosing wisely.”

“Whew. I’m so relieved.”

I almost snorted.

“I’m Mia.” She tipped her glass in greeting.

“Noah.” I grabbed a tray of tumblers from the washer and began drying them. “So, Mia, what brings you to Woodland Falls?”

She tapped the envelope beneath her purse. “I’m just here for a few days to tie up loose ends.” She sipped the bourbon. “It shouldn’t take long.”

“Not keen on staying?”

Why the hell I asked that, I’d never know. The quicker she left, the better. I had a feeling this woman could coax not just my wolf from hibernation, but me too. If that happened, she’d want something my heart couldn’t give.

“It’s not that, it’s just…I don’t know. It’s strange being here.”

I stacked a few glasses and kept drying. “How so?”

“I haven’t been here for years.” Her lips rolled inward into a flat line. “It doesn’t matter.”