“Nah, I’m good.I’ll get a ride from a friend or call a car.”I shook his hand, passing a few bills along the way.“Thanks for tonight.”
“You’re very welcome, sir.I’d love to drive for you again.”
I smiled and nodded at him.“I’ll make sure to ask for you next time.Have a good night.”
“You too, sir.”
Shaking my head at the turn the evening had taken, I turned back to the bar and walked inside.No doubt that would be all over social media before the end of the night.
Ella was going to have my head.
Low pop music that’d been playing since the band left the stage still rolled through the bar, but now conversations drowned it out.I awkwardly shimmied past a huge group of men crowded around Bailey at the bar and nodded at the huge bouncer standing in front of Alice.
“Stop right there!”He raised a hand.“No one goes past—”
“He’s all right, Johnson.”Alice patted his shoulder from behind him.“That’s Noah Hawker.”
Johnson raised an eyebrow.“If you say so.”
Alice’s lips twitched like she was fighting a smile.“You don’t recognize him?He’s all over the news today.The drummer for the Tin Gods took another lucky fan out on the town tonight.”
“Couldn’t be too lucky if he’s here,” Johnson muttered.
I laughed.“You’re not wrong.Worst date ever.Fortunately, Kylie and I both agreed on that point.”
Johnson winced in sympathy as I walked past him.
Alice winced too as I took the stool next to her.“That bad?”
“Let’s see… She namedropped like a fucking quiz show contestant, thought the Palms restaurant was ‘too campy,’ and accused me of having a thing for you.”
“What?”Alice cackled.“Oh shit, that’s too funny.”She bent over, clutching her slim stomach, as her laughter cascaded over me.“A thing!I can’t wait to tell Lark!”
It was hard not to be insulted.“It’s not that funny.”
“Oh, agree to disagree,” Alice said through her giggles.
I groaned and ran a hand through my hair.“Yeah well, she left in a huff.Inmyhired car, so can I get a ride home after your gig?”
Alice straightened and swiped at her teary eyes.“Sure.As long as I get my money’s worth out of you.”
“I can afford gas,” I scoffed.
“Not what I meant.”Her eyes dropped to my chest and the sports coat I still wore.“You good to lift gear in that thing?”
Chapter 17
Alice
I had to hand it to him—Noah could lift almost anything in that ridiculous coat.
And looked sexy as hell as he did it…the asshole.
So I might’ve been scowling as we loaded the last few loads.
“All right.”Lark grinned.“That should do it.”Then she patted me on the shoulder and leaned down to stage whisper, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She danced away, so my swing at her midsection missed.
