Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“Hi, how are you, baby brother?” I ignore his question.
“Shit, don’t bust my chops. You usually bring me something if you’re on this side of town. Come on, I don’t have a client for the next thirty minutes.” I pinch his side for good measure as I walk past him into his work area.
“I’m your older sister. You know I’ll always do that. I’ll bring you some tomorrow. I promised Beau I would too,” I ease into the conversation.
“Alright, and why are you bringing him anything? He’s too old for you, and he owns a bar, for Christ sake,” he grumbles. This is going to be a nightmare, and I’m going to regret giving him a heads-up, I can feel it now.
“And you’re a hothead who works at a tattoo shop and likes the ladies. Let’s not go comparing apples to oranges. Besides, we’re dating, so get over it.”
“The fuck you are!” I roll my eyes, cross my arms over my chest, and let him have his little tirade. Vince paces back and forth, muttering nothing but nonsense.
“Are you done with your shit fit?” I ask.
“Are you done dating Beau Byrd?” he fires off.
“Nope. Don’t make me go to Momma and Poppa with this,” I bring out the big guns.
“Fine, whatever, but be warned—he hurts you, he’ll be hurting worse.” That went over entirely too easily. I wonder if he’s already on our parents’ shit list right now, because that’s what really shut him up.
“Good, now that the hard part is over, when will you do a tattoo for me?” I ask to lighten the mood. I don’t really want one, but I do love to rile Vince up.
“As if. Don’t even joke. When you’re ready and you know what you want, come back. Now get out of here. I’m going to need a cigarette after your news.” My brother, the proverbial drama queen of the family.
“Fine, love you too, brat,” I toss out but am already heading out of his area.
“Love you too, Lily Belle,” he uses my childhood nickname. I smile softly because he took that entirely too easily, which means I should probably call our parents.
Chapter 3
Beau
Sometimes being a bar owner sucks, especially when you want to surprise your fake girlfriend. We talked on the phone a couple of nights this week, plus she dropped off those damn sweets I love so much, which in turn had me running three miles a day instead of my usual two. I’m not going to complain, though, about seeing her sweet face and sexy-as-sin curves. Hell, the whole town knows we’re together even if I haven’t taken her out on a first date yet, which was supposed to happen tonight.
It’s a busy Friday night. One of my bartenders called out, which is a rarity, so while it sucks, I get it. That means I’ll be doing something with Lily tomorrow instead, which might be for the better. Neither of us works on Sundays, and if everyone is here tomorrow, I’m turning my phone off and we’re having a night to ourselves.
I’m busy slinging drinks, working behind the bar, when she walks in. I damn near spill the beer I just poured for a customer.
“Fuck,” I grumble under my breath. She’s not by herself though. It seems Lily brought her friends Amelia and Wren.
“Looks like you’ve got trouble on your hands,” one of the patrons says, but I’m too busy taking Lily in to respond to him. Apparently, that doesn’t stop me from growling at him. “I get you. She’s yours.” He holds his hands up in defeat.
“Hey, Beau.” Her voice comes out breathless. My eyes take her in. She has her hair in some kind of bun on top of her head, tendrils falling loosely, framing her face. The floral dress she’s wearing is tight around the top, giving a hint of cleavage, and I thank God she’s wearing a jean jacket. If all the skin were bare to every Tom, Dick, and Harry in my bar, I’d be the one starting the fights instead of breaking them up.
“Hey, honey, this is a surprise.” I walk around the bar, wanting to let everyone know just who Lily belongs to, even if this is fake.
“I wanted to see you.” My hands move to her hips as she reaches up to wrap her arms around my shoulders.
“Then it’s a good thing you know where to find me.” I bend down, nuzzling her neck, wanting her lips on mine, but not here and not right now. The other day was different; there were one or two people here. Tonight it’s everyone and their brother, which isn’t the time for that knowing full well I won’t stop at a chaste kiss this time.
“You don’t mind, right?” Lily asks when we pull apart.
“Not at all. Are you planning on staying a while?”