Page 57 of Perfect Pact
She pats him on the chest and walks off, swaying her ass a little harder as Cole hangs his head and walks back to the pool table.
Then, there’s Beth, who is watching me watch everyone else. All eyes are on us, and I don’t know if she would rather me wait or come to her.
Dammit. She’s gone.
Why does this have to be so difficult?
I can’t believe I screwed this one up. I had the perfect opportunity to pull her to the side, but I just stood there like an idiot trying to work up the courage to say something, and she turned and walked away.
That’s okay. I’ll give her the space she wants. For now.
Beth
When Joey called to check up on me, she suggested we go out and have a few drinks. Basically, two birds, one stone. Let the people of Mason Creek know this doesn’t affect me and figure out how she fits into my business plan.
What I didn’t expect was to see Dusty here. With as pushy as he’s been, I was sure he would follow me back to the barn and demand I give him answers, but he didn’t. He did exactly what I said and let me walk away.
Now that I’m here, I realize this might have been a mistake.
“What can I get you guys to drink?” Vanny raises her hand to the bartender and waves. “Are we thinking beer, shots, or something that goes down easy but hits hard?”
“Beer,” Joey answers.
“Lemon drop martini.” Charlee beams from ear to ear. “I don’t have the kids tonight.”
“Oooh!” Joey points to Charlee. “I’ll take what she’s having.”
“And you?” Vanny questions while I pull out my seat and sit down.
“I guess a sweet tea.”
Everyone looks at me.
“What?”
“This is a girls night. You guys…” Charlee motions to the three of us, “might be talking business, but I don’t have any kids. The only tea being ordered tonight is from Long Island. Okay?”
“Okay,” I agree. “How about I make it easy? I’ll have what she’s having.” I smile at Charlee. “We good?”
“So good!” Charlee scoots a little closer. “Maybe we can be friends after all.”
She says the words as if it’s a simple sentiment, but I know differently. Even though Grady and I hadn’t been together for awhile before she came to town. Charlee was the reason he stopped coming around. And that’s fine.
We were never meant for anything more than we were.
“So—” Joey leans in. “Who is Dusty Jacobs? And why is he staring at you like he wants to throw you over his shoulder and take you home?”
“He is not.” I try not to look over at him, but when they mention his name, I can’t help it. I can always sense him, it’s like my eyes can’t help but follow my heart. And when I do look his way I see he’s not taking his eyes off me.
“Who’s ready to get drunk?” Vanny passes out the martinis.
“On love,” Joey teases.
Everyone looks at her.
“What? We’re still in that honeymoon phase.”
Cole and Joey got together a few months ago when she moved in with him to get out of her sister’s house. Rumor has it, she walked in on the happy couple a time or two when they were getting busy and needed her own space. She could have gone back home to Lavender Falls, but she wasn’t ready to do that either.