“Drink up, ladies! Well, not you, Corina!” Waylynn added.
“Oh, no! Let me show you how to take a shot of Irish whiskey,” Maebh said, walking up to us. She had changed into a darling little green cocktail dress. It looked like the only make-up she’d put on was mascara.
Maebh poured a shot and lifted it up. “Take a breath through your mouth first.”
She tilted her head back and drank it in one smooth go. The damn shot glass was nearly upside-down when she finished.
“You have to tilt your head and the glass back as one. It makes it go down easier. Then you swallow it immediately while keeping your jaw and throat relaxed while you swallow.”
“Why does it sound like we’re getting a blow job lesson?” Waylynn said.
We all laughed, and Maebh’s cheeks flushed. She let a huge smile play across her face before saying, “Anyway, a shot is best enjoyed when taken with others!”
“I can’t do another one. I’m already feeling it,” Paxton stated.
“Hell, I’ll do another one with you, Maebh,” Waylynn proudly announced.
“Count me in!” I added.
Amelia shook her head and bowed out along with Paxton.
“Ready?” Maebh asked. She poured three shots.
Waylynn’s eyes widened. “Hell, girl, those are double what I poured.”
With a laugh, she handed Waylynn and me our shots. We did as she instructed and the cool burn rushed down my throat.
“Damn, that’s strong. How can you drink it like that?” I asked.
Maebh laughed. “My father owns the company that makes this whiskey. I’ve been drinking this since I was about ten.”
Waylynn got an evil grin on her face. “So, you can hold your whiskey, then, right?”
She shrugged. “I guess so. Why?”
“No reason. Just an observation. Wow, you shine up pretty nice, Ms. O’Sullivan.”
“Okay, it looks like I’m still the only one dressed like a hooker.” I pouted.
Maebh shook her head. “I think you look amazing.”
“Thank you,” I said as I laced my arm with hers. “Then you can help me down the damn stairs in these heels.”
By the time we got out of Aisling’s we were ready to dance and have a good time. The whiskey had hit me like a Mack truck, and I was pretty sure it had hit Waylynn just as hard because she told Corina not to let her take any more shots for the rest of the night.
The bar was packed like usual.
“Do you see a table?” Waylynn shouted over a Dierks Bentley song.
I shook my head while I scanned the place. Amelia grabbed our hands. “There should be one reserved. I told Cord we were coming.”
“Thank goodness!” Corina shouted.
Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Corina and Maebh lost in conversation as they made their way through the crowd, trying to keep up with us and chat over the music.
When we made it to the table, Amelia and Waylynn high-fived each other.
“Okay! Drinks! Corina, water?”
She nodded and sat down.
Waylynn pointed to each of us and got our order. “Want to come with me, Maebh?”
With a huge smile, she jumped up and followed Waylynn.
“She totally did that on purpose so Cord would see Maebh with us,” Paxton stated, shaking her head and speaking to no one in particular. “Cord’s going to see right through that ploy.”
When they came back, the music had stopped so that the DJ could take a break.
“Maebh! Spell your name!” Corina said all giddy.
“Again?” Maebh chuckled.
“Yes! Listen y’all.”
We leaned in. “M-A-E-B-hayche.”
“Hayche?” I asked.
Maebh shook her head, “No, hayche.”
“H,” Waylynn said with a giggle.
Maebh nodded. “Yes! Hayche!”
We all started laughing. “Maebh, your H and our H is not the same. You’re pronouncing it like hay-che.”
She agreed again. “Right. Hayche.”
I felt a hand on my back and jumped. When I looked up, I was looking into the eyes of Toby.
“Hey! Fancy meeting you here.” The music started back up with “Problem” by Ariana Grande. “Dance with me?”
I let him lead me to the dance floor. The whiskey was flowing through me. Toby was a good dancer and handsome for sure. My neglected body was certainly happy to have a man touching it.
Toby drew my body into his. His mouth against my ear, he purred, “You look hot in that dress, Harley.”
I felt my cheeks heat. It wasn’t the same feeling Tripp instilled in me, but it was nice to have my body reacting to a man. “Thank you, Toby! I feel a bit exposed.”
He gave me a sexy wink. “No way.”
I was lost in dancing with Toby and noticed Maebh was dancing with the guy I had seen with Toby. I pointed and yelled, “A friend of yours?”
He nodded and moved his mouth to my ear again. “Another firefighter.”
My stomach pulled as his hot breath hit my ear once more. Toby wasn’t bad looking, by any means. He was fit, a firefighter, and knew how to dance. I hadn’t been with a guy in over a year. My last on and off boyfriend had been a doctor who never seemed to have time to fit us in. I didn’t complain, though. He was really only good for the occasional hook-up we managed to squeeze in. We both knew it would never go anywhere, so it worked out for both of us.
I smiled and let Toby wrap his arms around me for a slow song. I was in heels so two-stepping was out of the question.
“It’s great being able to see you again,” he said as he tugged gently on a loose piece of hair.
I did the only thing I knew to do. I flashed him a wide grin. “I feel the same.”
Do I?
He certainly was a lot of fun to dance with, and I could see myself dating him. Maybe it was time for me to move on, like the girls said. Tripp had made it clear he had no intention to forgive me, and was angrier with me now more than ever.
Toby’s hand moved to my lower back, pulling me in tighter. My body shivered, but it wasn’t because I was getting turned on…it was because I knew he was here. I felt him before I even looked around.
Tripp.
My eyes filled with tears as I watched him and Mallory slide across the wood dance floor. When his eyes met mine, my breath caught in my throat. I wanted to run over to him. Beg him to forgive me. It wasn’t Toby I wanted to be dancing with; it was Tripp.
I let my eyes roam over him. Tripp held Mallory close to his body. Her head buried in his chest. My eyes cut back to his, but he was looking down at Mallory and no longer at me.
It was really over. I’d lost my chance of ever winning Tripp back. The reality hit me full force. Everything ached. My head, my stomach, and most of all, my heart. Taking a risk, I glanced back at them. The look on Tripp’s face appeared to be pained. But then again, it was probably my own stupid hope that I kept holding on to. I jerked my gaze away.
“Toby, I’m sorry I feel a bit sick.”
“Are you okay? Is it too hot in here?”
“I think I just want to go home.”
He nodded. “Okay, let’s take you back over to your friends.”
I let him guide me through the crowd of people over to the table, but I pulled him to a stop before we got there.
“Wait. I don’t really want to ruin their night. Would it be horrible of me if I asked you to drive me home?”
He gave me a sweet smile. “I don’t mind taking you home.”
“I don’t want to ruin your night either.”
Toby laughed. “Trust me, you’re not. Plus, this gives me a chance to get to know you a little better so I can ask you out to dinner.”
My heart melted. Most men would think this was their chance to hook up, but Toby was being a gentleman, and I appreciated that more than he knew.
“I would love that,” I replied.
He motioned for me to walk first. Corina w
as the only one sitting at the table. I had a feeling she didn’t want to be here either. She looked like she wasn’t feeling well.
“Hey, are you okay?” I asked as I took her hand in mine.
Shaking her head, she said, “No. I called Mitchell to see if he wouldn’t mind coming to pick me up. Paxton offered to drive me home, but I know they’re having fun and getting to know Maebh, so I told her I had called Mitchell already.”
“I can drop you off at home, Corina,” Toby said.
Her eyes bounced from Toby to me and then back to him.
“Harley isn’t feeling well either so I’m taking her home.”
Her brows lifted.
“It’s not like that, so push those thoughts aside,” I whispered.
She glanced past me, and I knew what she was doing. Looking for Tripp and Mallory. She must have seen them because her eyes turned sad. I knew the girls were rooting for me and Tripp, but they had to see he wasn’t interested in forgiving me, let alone dating me again.
When she looked back at me, I could see it in her eyes. The pain, the pity, the regret.
“It’s okay. I made my bed and now I have to lie in it.” There was no other way to get through this situation unscathed except by facing the harsh reality, as much as that gutted me.
“Harley…”
Giving her hand a squeeze, I forced a grin. “Would you mind telling the girls I bugged out?”
“I’ll let them know. Text us when you get back to your place.”
Corina flashed a look at Toby. “Drive safe, Toby.”
He tipped his cowboy hat and replied. “Yes, ma’am. Tell Mitchell I said hi, and I hope you feel better.”
“I will, and thanks!” she responded with that sweet smile of hers.
I nudged Toby. “Let’s get before the crew gets back and tries to talk me into staying.”
Taking my hand in his, he led me through the crowd and to the exit. My heart was racing for some reason. I could feel the heat of Tripp’s eyes. Glancing over my shoulder, his blue gaze pierced into me as I made my way out the door with Toby.
I wasn’t trying to make him jealous by leaving with Toby, and it appeared by the way he was looking at me that he wasn’t jealous. It was almost like he was relieved I was leaving. Mallory whispered something into his ear. He looked down at her and nodded, before giving me one last look.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turned before he could see the tear that slipped free and rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away and took in a deep breath of the cool spring air. My body shivered. Toby wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. He had mistaken the chill for me being cold. It was actually the truth hitting me right in the middle of my chest. Breaking yet another piece of my heart off. I honestly didn’t know if there were any pieces left. The pain in my chest was the only indication that there was still something keeping me going.
Mallory is the one Tripp wants.
Not me.
The drive back to my place was filled with chatter. Thank God. It was almost like Toby knew I needed to have my mind somewhere else.
By the time he had pulled into my driveway, we had both gotten to know each other a bit more. Toby grew up in Dallas, went to college at Texas Tech, became a firefighter in the Dallas area and then took this job in Oak Springs a few months back. He wanted out of the big city and into a smaller town.
“Well, you got what you wanted. Oak Springs is pretty small,” I said with a chuckle.
He returned the laugh. “It is, but I love it here. The community is amazing. Well, besides the fact that everyone knows everyone…or at least acts like they do.”
“Yes!” I said with a chuckle. “You got that right. Don’t let the town gossip get to you though.”
“I won’t.”
We sat for a few awkward moments before he cleared his throat. “So, how do you feel about having dinner with me tomorrow night?”
I chewed on my lip before replying. This was it. It was fight or flight time. I either sat home with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or I took the leap back into the real world of dating.
The way his schoolboy smile appeared, I couldn’t help but get a few flutters in my stomach. It had been a long time since a man looked at me like that. It wasn’t the man I wanted making my stomach jump, but the reaction was still the same. Clearly it was time to move on.
“Tomorrow night sounds amazing. I’d love to have dinner with you.”
He clapped his hands together. “I’ll pick you up around six? Is that too early?”
I shook my head. “Nope. That’s perfect! I’ll see you then.”
Opening the door to his Toyota truck, he reached for my hand. “Wait, let me walk you up. If that’s okay.”
Again, the stupid little flutter as I was about to accept his offer. My poor pathetic body was overjoyed with the slightest attention from a good-looking guy. “I’d love for you to walk me up.”
I waited for Toby to get out of his truck and jog around to my side. I’d taken in his body before when dancing with him. His tight Wrangler jeans and gray T-shirt made him look even nicer. He had a broad chest that my fingers were suddenly itching to touch.
Christ. What is wrong with me? I’m boo-hooing over Tripp, yet fantasizing about Toby’s body.
His hand went to my lower back and a zip of desire raced through my body.
Down, libido. Yes, he is a very good-looking guy, and I know it’s been forever. But you need to stow your little horny ass away.
But he’s looking at me and touching me the way I want Tripp to. My heart wants one thing but my mind and body want another.
I stopped at my door and took in a deep breath. A part of me knew that Tripp and Mallory would most likely be ending the night together, but that was no reason to jump into bed with another man. Screwing him wasn’t going to make me forget about Tripp. It would make my body happy, but certainly not my heart.
“Have I told you how amazing you look in that dress tonight?”
My heart started to race. I wanted him to touch me…I couldn’t deny that. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to him.
“Thank you,” I softly said.
Our eyes met, and I was positive we were both holding our breath.
Taking a step forward, Toby cupped my face within his hands. He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. It was soft and caring and the perfect kiss I needed to end this night.
When he drew back, we both smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“See you then.”
His hands dropped to his side and he took a step back and winked. I lifted my hand and waved.
“Night, Toby.”
“Night, Harley.”
With that, he turned and headed to his truck. The perfect gentleman. My fingers swept over my lips. Would a man ever be able to make my body feel the way it did with Tripp? Sure, there were flutters with Toby, but with Tripp the flutters turned into burning desire. Would another man be able to replicate that same passion in me?
Never.
I sighed and watched Toby drive off.
Maybe he would be the one to help me move past that. It was going to take time. Now that I knew Tripp wasn’t going to forgive me, I needed to start my own healing process. I smiled thinking about tomorrow night’s dinner.
“Little steps,” I whispered to no one in particular, silently hoping my heart heard the words as I unlocked my door. I was greeted by Lady who barked and rushed past me. She did her business and zipped by me again. She went straight for my bedroom, ready to call it a night.
Sighing, I kicked off my shoes and made the way to my bedroom. I was greeted by Lady laying not so lady-like on my mattress, on her back, paws in the air, ready for a good night’s rest herself. Geez…if life were only that easy.
“I know girl. It’s past our bedtime.”
I stripped out of my clothes and got into sweats and a T-shirt. With Lady snuggled in my bed, I reached for the Kindle on my nightstand. I needed to esca
pe the real world for a bit. Sliding books from right to left, I finally settled on a historical romance. My favorite genre.
For one brief moment, my mind wandered to Tripp. Would he spending the night with Mallory? Maybe they would go back to his place before he took her home. Or maybe he stayed with her at her house. The thoughts were starting to make me feel sick. Pushing him as far out of my mind as I could, I was soon lost in my book.
All my problems would have to wait. Tonight was all about the perfect love story—two characters who were destined to be together forever.
Something I thought I knew about…once upon a time.
I stared at the paperwork on my desk. My mind raced with everything except what I was supposed to be working on.
It had been days since I’d seen Harley and Toby leave Cord’s Place, and of course, it was all I could think about. Mallory had ended up getting a headache and asking me to take her home. We were both having a miserable time anyway, so it wasn’t a big deal to call it a night early. Plus, she could tell I wasn’t in the mood for staying out. After I dropped her off, I had been tempted to drive by Harley’s house. Luckily, I got my wits about me and went home.
Three knocks on my office door had me looking up while I called out, “Come in.”
Karen walked in with a piece of paper in her hand. She slapped it down on my desk and raised one brow. “You owe me.”
With a grin, I folded my arms and waited to hear what she had found out.
“I’m sure your next bonus will more than make up for the one favor I asked of you.”
She huffed. “According to my source over at Pete London’s office, they confirmed Harley met with Mr. London.”
I learned forward, my arms on my desk. “What else did she find out?”
“I didn’t say it was a she.”
Rolling my eyes, I blew out an exasperated breath.
“Karen, I know it’s your sister, Riley. She works for Pete. That’s not a secret.”
She shot me a dirty look. “And if you so much as breathe a word of where you got this information, I’ll quit.”
I held up my hands and then crossed my heart. “I swear. Not a word. Now spill it.”
“Okay, well, apparently Doc Harris has a brother who is a big time investor in Texas and beyond.”