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Every one of Da
“Ashley. My name’s Ashley. And thank you. I have money to pay for the meal, so this isn’t like…a handout or anything.” Her brows pulled together as if she was rethinking her decision. “I don’t need any handouts. In fact, I don’t need anything from anyone.” She made a move to grab the bag she’d placed on the bar.
“Spicy little thing, aren’tcha? Ashley, didn’t your parents ever teach you there’s no such thing as a free lunch?” He thought his joke was fu
“No, our parents didn’t teach us shit until it was too late.” She chomped on the inside of her lip. “Sorry, that was probably too much information. No, sir, never heard that one. But I do have money for lunch.”
“I’ll be happy to take your money, Ashley. In fact, I can charge you double if you want.” That got Ashley to smile, which made Da
Da
After a few minutes, Julie came out wearing her ever-ready smile and carrying Ashley’s cheeseburger and fries. “I guess this is for you?”
“Umm, yeah. Thank you.”
Da
“I’m Ashley. Thanks for bringing me my food.”
“My pleasure, sweetie. I’m Julie, that guy’s wife.” She smiled warmly.
Da
“So, Ashley, where’s home?” Julie asked, sipping on a freshly poured club soda.
“Nowhere.” Ashley took a bite of the burger and moaned. “This is amazing.”
“Thanks, the recipe’s a secret. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” Da
“It doesn’t matter,” Ashley slowly said, enunciating each word, “because I’m never going back.” Another large bite.
A chill ran up Da
“Sweet girl,” Julie spoke softly, “is there anyone you need to call? Maybe someone who needs to know where you are?”
“Yeah, there’s someone. But he’s dead now. So he won’t be answering that call.” She popped the last bite of burger in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed before reaching for her drink.
If Da
“Wow, that was the best burger I’ve ever had. For real.”
“There’s more where that came from. You should stick around a day or two and try the chili—Julie’s recipe…it’s amazing.” Da
“With all due respect, I’m eighteen. I never needed a babysitter, and I don’t need one now.” Ashley’s hazel eyes flashed with golden specks of fire.
An adult by legal standards, but still a child in so many ways. “Respect much appreciated.” Da
Ashley’s eyes narrowed as she glared from Da
“Spicy little thing we got here, Jules,” he muttered as he mixed the drink.
***
“I SEE MYSELF in her,” Julie whispered in the dark, her leg draped over Da
“I felt it too,” he admitted as he ran his fingers up the length of Julie’s naked back.
Ashley had spent hours at Da
“She’s old enough to tend bar, Da
“She is.” His hand paused on her back. “But like us, loss is written over her. She’s young, Jules. We can’t just take her on—we’ve gotta take her in.”
Falling more in love with someone she thought owned her was beyond her understanding, but it just happened.
Da
“Yes, we have.” Her fingers trailed up his chest. “I was that girl until you found me.” In the dark, her fingers found his lips and rubbed the soft skin. “And I say if she comes back tomorrow, we do what we can to keep her close. Okay?”
Her husband exhaled. “Love you, baby.”
“You’re an amazing man, Da
“Thank God for that. Thank God.”
Even though they’d made love before their conversation, his reply melted her insides, charging her sated body for another round of play. When she placed a wet kiss on his lips, he got recharged as well.
Chapter Twenty-Two
This IS Home
“MERRY CHRISTMAS, YOU guys!” Julie’s greeting rang through the bar.
“Ho, Ho, Ho.” Da
“Who you callin’ a ho, Da
“I’m thinking he was addressing you, Spicy.” Kyle chuckled.
More than two years had passed since the feisty young woman entered their lives, and in that time, she’d become like a daughter to Da
Therefore, when he and Julie had discussed Christmas bonuses, they knew money wasn’t enough.
“They treat our bar as if it’s their own,” Julie had said over a candle-lit di
“I know. They work their asses off, above and beyond what’s expected.” Da