Chapter 1
DANI
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I walked into my favorite bar, Reilly’s, after another rough day at work. I knew who it was and I had no desire to respond. Why that man couldn’t get a hint was beyond me and annoying as hell.
And not what I needed to deal with right now. A vodka soda was calling my name, as was a world-class burger that I knew Randy would have ready for me as soon as I sat down at the gleaming bar top.
I loved this place, and the fact that it was close to my office, had good food, offered mixed drinks at just the right level of strength to take the edge off, and wasn’t crawling with tourists or hockey players was exactly what I needed.
“Dani, the usual?” Randy called out when he spotted me.
“Yes, please.” I flashed him a smile and slid onto the worn padded barstool. I didn’t need fancy. Just well-loved ambiance and great food.
“Yeesh. Rough day?” Miranda, one of the bartenders, asked as she pulled out a fresh glass to make my drink of choice.
“Yeah, but that’s all you’re getting out of me.”
“Yeah, yeah. HIPAA and all that.” She handed me my drink and smiled. We’d become friendly over the last year thanks to my too-frequent visits. “Don’t think I don’t know that you use that excuse to get out of dishing on nonclient stuff, too.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I took a sip as my phone buzzed again. Ugh, I just wanted to enjoy this perfect drink and not look at my phone.
“Should you take that?”
“Ugh, it’s Roger. Again.”
She blew out a breath. “That man can’t take a hint, huh?”
I never liked airing my life story to anyone, but Miranda was nice and just a little pushy, and after a few too many drinks last week, I’d given her more details than I’d planned about my ex. “Pretty sure telling him we were over wasn’t just a subtle clue. I was extremely clear.”
She shook her head. “Maybe he got hit in the head too many times with a puck.”
“He just doesn’t like the answer no,” I muttered. I never should’ve started dating that man in the first place, but he’d seemed nice and it’d been a while for me. And in my defense, he’d kept his super possessive side hidden for the first two months.
“Idiot man.”
“Aren’t they all?”
She snorted. “Stop with that talk, they aren’t all bad. So, what’s the dumbass want? Or are we not even looking?” She gestured at my phone.
“We are so not looking. Hopefully, he’ll get distracted by someone else soon,” I said. “There it is.” My eye lit up and I set down my glass as Randy placed what I knew was a perfectmedium-cooked burger in front of me, the sharp cheddar melted along the edge of the bun with that bacon marmalade concoction he created on top of the cheese. I needed him to bottle up that marmalade. “Come to Mama.”
Miranda chuckled. “You get way too excited over a burger.”
Randy scoffed. “Like you don’t order it every night you’re on shift and moan about it. Well, when you’re not moaning at me, of course.”
“Seriously, don’t call me out like that.” Miranda swatted the bar owner—and her boyfriend. “I take back my statement. You’re right, Dani, all men are idiots. Even if they cook like a dream.”
“Don’t knock perfection. Now, go bicker away from me so I can eat in peace,” I teased.
“I’m just going to teach him some manners and I’ll be right back.”
“TMI.” I waved my hand at them and focused on my dinner. This was exactly what I needed after a rough day.
Between managing the stress at work—especially with two of my clients struggling extra hard since the new school year just started—trying not to get too emotionally invested with the kids where I volunteered on the weekends—who were going through the same school startup drama—and now Roger’s stupid texts, I was exhausted.
“Dani! Hey, girl. Damn, I always forget how good those burgers look.” I glanced over to see Belinda Jones, a coworker who had become a friend, take the seat next to me.
“Hi. And how could you even?” I tried not to moan when I took my second bite.
