Damian finished with his customer and joined us. “You ladies getting trashed tonight?”
Jess grinned at him, held her shot up and drank it. “Sure are. Boss lady is in the mood. I can’t say no to that.”
He rolled his eyes. “Jess, when have you ever said no to alcohol? Seriously, some days I worry you’re working in the wrong place. I often wonder how long until we’ll have to check you into rehab.”
She poked her tongue at him. “Very funny.”
I drank my shot and slammed the empty glass down. “He’s got a point, Jess.”
“Oh my god! I hate it when you two gang up on me.”
I clicked my fingers to indicate I needed more tequila. “Quick, get some more alcohol in you. It makes it all better.”
Damian muttered something under his breath and left us to take care of the customer now waiting at the other end of the bar.
Jess poured another shot. As she handed it to me, she asked, “Is Annie okay?”
“As far as I know. Why?”
“She just seemed a little quiet today.”
“It’s been a big week for her. She hasn’t had a job for so long now and I think she’s struggled a bit this week with learning it all.”
“She’s doing really well, though,” Jess said, and that meant something. Jess didn’t blow wind up anyone’s skirt.
“Yeah, I think so, too. Glad you can see it as well. My goal is to give her as much confidence as possible, and if she can master some new skills, that will help.”
“Are you going to call that psychologist you got the name for the other day?”
I drank the shot. “I called her today, and Annie has her first appointment early next week.”
She smiled at me. “You’re a good woman, Layla. She’s lucky to have you.”
I thought about growing up with Annie. She’d been my constant companion when our parents dumped us with babysitters so they could go out to parties. We’d been like sisters back then, sharing everything from clothes, to makeup, and secrets. Annie had been there for me every time I needed her. Looking at Jess, I said, “I can’t abandon her. She’s the only family I have, and we always look out for each other.”
“Yeah, but you seem to do all the giving in that relationship. Annie would be lost without you.”
“I don’t keep score, Jess. You can’t live your life like that. I’m here for Annie for whatever she needs for as long as she needs it. Who’s to say in five years it won’t be the other way around?”
“True.” She held up the tequila. “You want another one?”
“One more, and I think that will be enough.” The effect of the alcohol was slowly making its way through my body, and I was feeling much more relaxed.
Thank fuck.
I drank the shot she passed me a moment later, and as I downed it, my core clenched at the sight I glimpsed.
Donovan.
His eyes found mine, and he headed my way, not letting my gaze go.
“Evening,” he murmured when he was standing in front of me.
My tummy fluttered as his voice slid through me. Commanding would be how I’d describe it best. It affected me so much I almost lost my balance. Never in my life had I come across a man who could do that from the sound of his voice alone.
Jess cut into my thoughts. “I’ll leave you to it.” She took the tequila and headed over to where Damian was. I didn’t take much notice, though, because my attention was completely on Donovan.
“It’s been a week since I’ve seen you,” I stated.
And I’ve missed you.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Bullshit.” Fuck, the tequila was doing all the talking now.
Surprise touched his face, and he remained silent for a couple of moments. Finally he agreed, “Yeah, bullshit.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, and I didn’t pursue it. His honesty was all I needed.
“You want a drink?”
He gave a quick nod. “Thanks.”
I jerked my chin at his table in the corner. “I’ll bring the bottle over.”
I watched his sexy ass as he left me. God, I wanted to hold that ass in my hands. I moved my gaze up his body. His shirt was fitted against his hard muscles. I wanted to take that shirt off and run my hands over those muscles.
Shit.
Put your tongue back in your mouth, woman.
I grabbed a glass and the bottle of scotch and joined him a moment later. Sitting across from him, I passed him both. “You can pour your own tonight.”
He raised his brows. “This how you treat all your customers?”
“No, only the ones I want to fuck.”
He didn’t even blink. Instead, he picked up the bottle, poured himself a drink and knocked it back before asking, “Are there many on that list?”
I leaned across the table and whispered, “It’s a new thing I’ve started and there’s only one on it so far.”
His stare was intense as he said, “Keep it that way.”
A shiver ran down my spine at his words and I squeezed my legs together.
He spoke again before I could think of what to say to that. “Why’d you walk away from your family?”