Danny's Main

“I’ve been tossing around an idea, so let me know what you think.” Julie sipped her wine. “About two weeks ago, Kyle had to get his car from the parking lot—he’d left it there when he went home with one of the bar bu

“But he couldn’t do easier, babe, and that’s what he’s looking for. Get back to the topic, or we won’t make the eight-thirty movie.” When she rolled her eyes, Da

He leaned in and touched his lips to hers. Her moan told him that her punishment would be pleasure for the both of them.

“Now, let’s get back to the Christmas bonus idea,” he said.

Julie licked her full bottom lip, exhaled, and continued. “Anyway, he had been a bit drunk and a lot hasty to leave after his shift, and he mistakenly left his car keys in the bar. It was freezing that night. Sleet, crazy winds, and the guy couldn’t get into his car or into the bar, being that it was three thirty in the morning.”

“Shit, what did he do? And why is this the first I’m hearing about it?” Da

“Max came and got him, drove him to Kyle’s apartment because all of his roommates were too intoxicated to answer their cell phones.” Julie sipped her wine. “The whole situation got me thinking. Those three, we treat them like family, and they treat us the same. They respect our bar, treat it like home. Would it be so bad if we gave them each a set of keys in case of an emergency?”

The idea floated before it settled into his brain. “No, honey, I think that a brilliant fucking idea.”

With the five of them gathered in the empty bar closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, love floated through Da

“Da

“Oh man, this is u

“Shit, you two keep upping the bonuses, and I’ll have my own spaceship by next year.” Kyle’s wink made Julie laugh, but Da

“Oh…my…God. This is…” Ashley had opened the box and pulled out the key with the note card attached. Tears filled her eyes, but none of them fell as she seemed to contain them by sheer will. “I don’t know what to say about this.”

Da

“Is this the key to Da

“Our bar, not our home,” Julie answered.

Kyle looked at Da

“This is home,” Ashley said, apparently speaking for the three of them by the way they all nodded. “Thank you for giving me—us—a home. This is the greatest present I’ve ever gotten.”

What Max, Kyle, and Ashley didn’t realize was their arrivals into Da

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ashley and Ryan

JULIE AND DANNY were in the kitchen, discussing recipe changes with the cook, when on the monitor, they saw a man enter the bar and approach Ashley. They couldn’t hear what was said, but they saw the way Ashley’s body froze.

“Don’t like that at all. I’m going out there,” Da

“No, wait.” Julie grabbed her husband’s arm and stared at the screen. Her head tilted from side to side before her brow rose with understanding. “There’s something interesting going on between those two. Something familiar. Give them a few minutes, babe.”

Her tone clearly implied that her request was not a request at all, hence Da

“Hello? You still in there?” Ashley shouted at the man. “I asked, why the hell are you in my bar?”

Tranquility gone. Da

“Oh really, so it’s your bar now is it, little girl?” Da

So that’s Ryan Baker, Julie thought after being introduced to the handsome younger man. The Ryan Baker. Ashley’s one true love. Over the years, Ashley, through tons of Julie’s prompting and patience, had opened up to Julie and Da

For the rest of the day, Ryan stuck by Ashley’s side like glue, as if he was afraid if he blinked, she’d vanish and he’d be lost…again. As tightly wound as Ashley was in Ryan’s presence, the spicy girl’s eyes held a softness that had been missing since the day she came to Charistown.

Hmm, interesting. Maybe I can finally get her to talk to me about him. Julie saw Ashley drink another shot of tequila and head for the restroom. Then again, maybe tomorrow would be better.

###

“THEY BICKER, THEY laugh, they flirt, they fight,” Da

No one knew what would happen during a shift when Ashley and Ryan were together behind the bar. The only thing guaranteed was perfect service and comical entertainment.

“Those two are go

“You own a bar, honey. Have at it. Or…” He reached for her, his eyes hungry and his brow arched with mischief. “You can take your frustrations out on me.”

“Mmm, I like the sound of that.” She stretched to flip the lock on the door.

“Max?” Da

“Are you go

“Never. Now get your sweet ass over here and let me help you with some of your frustrations.”

Her man could bottle his relaxation techniques, but just like him, she didn’t share.