Frustration simmers beneath my skin. “Let me know if you find out more.”
“You and Maddie will be the first to know,” Daniels assures me. “Now go enjoy your night before your friends drink the place dry.”
I head toward the corner table. But my thoughts are still on the stalker and wondering what the hell he wants with Maddie.
Liam is at the center of the group, his arm slung around his fiancée, Jill, who’s perched on his lap. She’s petite, with sparkling dark eyes and curly black hair. She fits in like she’s always been part of the crew. Jamie and Hannah are teasing each other, and Margaret’s here, too, for her friend. Even Wes is acting like a normal human being tonight.
“There he is!” Liam shouts, lifting his glass as I approach. “Rickter, meet the future, Mrs. Mitchell.”
I reach out to shake Jill’s hand. “Congratulations, Jill. You’re a saint to put up with this guy.”
“Thanks. I think I just caught him at the right time.”
“Caught me?” Liam feigns indignation. “More like reeled me in.” He mimes catching a huge fish.
Everyone’s happy, and the mood is infectious—the dark weight of the last few days lifts. At some point, everyone in the bar chants to the lovebirds, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
Never one to back down, Liam dramatically dips Jill and kisses her to thunderous applause. She kisses him back passionately, holding her own.
Hannah leans over to me. “Who knew Liam had it in him to be a romantic? He was so shy with the ladies.”
“Not me. Jill brings him out of his shell. I’m happy for them.”
Nearby, Jamie sidles up to Hannah. “Any chance I can buy you a drink?” he asks, feigning casualness. The guy has it bad. I don’t like to get into the personal business of my friends, but I’ve told him on more than one occasion he should go for it. They’re clearly into each other, and Hannah’s awesome.
Hannah raises an eyebrow. “You think one drink is enough for all the years I’ve put up with you?”
Jamie pauses, pretending to mull it over. “Two drinks, then.”
I look at Maddie. She’s relaxed and happy.
Wes strolls over and tells Hannah and Maddie he’s heading out.
“Early night, Harrington…” Jamie quips. “Are you planning on a threesome with the locals?” He tilts his head toward two beauties at the bar, both eyeing Wes eagerly.
Unruffled, Wes shoots back, “Nah, I’m a one-woman man… at least, a one-woman-at-a-time man.” He gives Jamie a pat on the back before returning to the bar momentarily, then disappears into the night with his admirers.
I glance at Maddie. She doesn’t seem bothered.
Later, Liam and Jamie drag me onto the karaoke stage. Before I protest, the opening chords ofSimple Manby Lynyrd Skynyrd fill the bar. Rolling my eyes, I grab the microphone. By the second verse, the room has quieted, the song’s recognizable chords pulling everyone in to sing along. When I finish, the room erupts into cheers.
Back at the table, Maddie claps, her eyes bright with surprise. “You didn’t tell me you could sing,” she teases.
“There’s a lot you still don’t know about me,” I reply, leaning in.
Her cheeks flush. A slow song plays, and I extend my hand.
“Dance with me?”
Maddie slips her hand in mine. “Yes.”
The music wraps around us as I lead her to the dance floor. Her hand rests lightly on my shoulder, and the soft sway of her dress is brushing softly against my jeans. For a moment, the world narrows to just the two of us.
“You’ve got moves,” she murmurs, her breath hitting against my shirt in soft puffs.
“Well… if you like those…”
We laugh and snuggle in closer.
