If I’m going to save my property from going under, getting distracted by a gorgeous woman is out of the question. My livelihood is on the line.
Grabbing my keys, I hop in my truck and head into town, putting some much-needed space between me and the vixen I have no business fantasizing about. To make it worse, as I drive past her cabin, my weak ass almost stops to see if she wants to join me for dinner.
No bugging the guests.
No dating them either.
And definitely no fucking them.
Imagine the online reviews if I did.
By the time I make it into town, my stomach is growling like a pissed off bobcat. I skipped all my meals today, too busy with work for a break, and now I’m ravenous. There’s no way I can grocery shop in this condition. I’ll buy out the entire store.
Pulling into the dive bar across the street, The Salt Lick, there are two trucks I recognize parked in the next row. Conner and Bennet are here. Hurray for buddies who double as distractions.
Swinging the door open, I hear them before I see them. Loud ass motherfuckers. They’re shooting pool in the back like usual.
“Ayyy, look who decided to join the living.” Conner raises his beer in salute. “Long time no see, fucker.”
“Hey man.” I grab a stool and carry it over to them. “Been a while.”
“Yeah, it has. Damn, we thought you’d turned into a shut-in up there on your mountain. You haven’t answered my texts, asshole.”
I wince and rub the back of my neck. “Yeah, I’ve been busy getting ready for winter.”
I’m a shit friend. How long has it been since we’ve hung out? So long, I can’t remember. These two don’t know how bad things have gotten for me, and I prefer to keep it that way.
“We get it, bro. That’s a hell of an undertaking you got up there. I’m sure it’s sucked all your energy and time up.”
I appreciate Bennet’s understanding, but I still feel bad that I’ve ghosted them lately. “How about poker night at my place on Friday?”
They look at each other and Bennet shrugs. “I’m down for taking your money. Count me in.”
Conner takes a sip of his beer. “Yeah, that should work.”
“Bring Taylor,” I say. It’s been months since I’ve seen her, and I miss her. She’s the only girl who has stuck around and still puts up with all our shit.
“She’s probably busy,” Conner says, shrugging. “But I’ll ask.” He takes another sip of beer before tipping his head towards the pool sticks. “Grab one. Nick should be here any minute.”
“I can’t stay long. I got plans.”
Conner shakes my shoulder. “I can make this ass whooping short and sweet, honey, don’t worry.”
Like he has a chance of beating me? Yeah, right. “Let me put in my food order first. I’m starving.”
There’s no way I’m telling them my plans tonight are to go grocery shopping. They’ll never let me hear the end of how lame my life has become. Knowing all my friends were meeting here for a night of fun reminds me of what I’ve been missing.
After putting in my food order, I wait for Jesse, the bartender, to pour me a beer and am blasted with freezing cold air as the door opens.
Bet that’s Nick. I look past everyone sitting at the bar, expecting to see my oldest friend walk in, and instead it’s a bombshell in an off-white peacoat and jeans with black riding boots.
Grace.
So much for putting space between me and temptation.
I swear the whole bar holds its breath when she walks in. There’s a massive handbag hanging off her arm and she saunters directly over to an open stool at the end of the bar by the door.
“Dayem,” Bennet says next to me. “Where didshecome from?”
