by Jaci Burton
"Ready to go?" Carter asked.
"Okay. Sure."
He led her out the door.
"Have you got a hot date?"
"No. I'm trying to save you from volunteering to be on some other committee. It's bad enough you agreed to judge the holiday parade."
She stopped in the middle of the parking lot. "I saw that look you gave me. What was so bad about that?"
"You don't even wanna know."
"Well, now I do."
"Come on. Let's go get a drink at Bash's bar and I'll tell you about it."
"I really should go home."
"Is your dad there?"
"Yes."
"Then you can have a drink with me. I'll take you home after. Just call your dad and tell him you'll be a little late."
She felt ridiculous that at thirty years old she had to check in with her parents--one of the drawbacks of living at home again. She hadn't had to answer to anyone for years. But she called her dad, who said her mom was asleep, everything was fine, and to go out and enjoy herself.
Not that she was going out--like on a date, going out. She was just going for a drink. With Carter.
Which didn't mean anything.
After a short drive, Carter pulled into the No Hope At All bar.
"Cute," she said after they got out of the car.
"That's Bash's sense of humor."
"So he owns the bar?"
"Yeah. He bought it out from one of his dad's best friends who was retiring, and renamed it. It's a pretty popular place."
"I can tell. The parking lot is pretty full for a weeknight."
"He shows sports on big-screen TVs, and has a couple of pool tables, so there's a lot more to do than just drink."
"And you come here a lot."
He shrugged. "When I don't have anything else to do. Tonight is a night for a drink."
Molly wondered what the "anything else to do" meant. When he had a girlfriend, or a hot date? For all she knew, he might already have a girlfriend.
Not that it mattered to her if he did or didn't, since she wasn't interested in him that way.
The bar was great on the inside, with multiple televisions showing sports of all kinds, tables spread around for ample seating, a pool table at either end, and a beautifully weathered bar top.
"Do you know Bash?" Carter asked.
"Just from the wedding." She smiled at the quite attractive bartender, who grinned as they took a seat at the bar.
Bash arched a brow. "You both look like you need a shot or a double."
"Committee meeting tonight," Carter said.
Bash nodded. "No wonder. What'll it be?"
"I'll have a Grey Goose and cranberry juice," Molly said.
"Crown on the rocks for me."
"Coming right up."
Molly swiveled on the barstool. "So how often do you come here?" she asked Carter.
"Not often enough."
She laughed. "Life couldn't possibly be that bad, could it?"
"Actually, it's not. I just had a rough day. But the meeting tonight wasn't as awful as I thought it would be."
Bash slid their drinks across the bar top toward them.
"Thanks," Molly said, then took a sip, her eyes widening. "Wow. There's a decent amount of vodka in here."
"Bash makes good drinks. He doesn't half-ass anything."
"I can tell." She took another sip. It tasted good. "So you were going to fill me in on the holiday parade."
"Oh yeah." Carter took a long swallow of his drink, then sat the glass on the bar. "You need to steer clear of Mavis."
"Because . . ."
"I was on the parade committee for three years. Until she fired me."
Molly laughed. "She fired you? What for?"
"For not giving Henderson's first place."
"Henderson's, the car dealership on the edge of town?"
"Yeah."
"Isn't it supposed to be based on who has the best float?"
"According to Mavis, it's based on who provides the mayor the most in campaign contributions every election."
"Ouch." Molly grabbed her drink and took a big swallow, then wished she hadn't. She really tasted the vodka in that one. "That seems a bit unethical."
"That's what I told her. After that, I was replaced on the judging committee."
Molly snorted, then finished her drink. "I can promise you, I'll be a fair and impartial judge. And besides, I likely won't be here anyway."
"Already planning your exit strategy?" Carter signaled Bash for refills.
She shouldn't have another. The first one was strong enough, and she'd already drained it. In a hurry, as a matter of fact.
But Bash laid down a bowl of pretzels along with their refills, so why not?
She took another drink. "I don't know. Maybe."
"You could stay here."
Her hand stilled and she put her drink down. "That's not going to happen."
"Why not? What's here that you're so afraid of?"
"I'm not having this conversation with you, Carter." Instead, she grabbed a handful of pretzels. So did he, popping them into his mouth and finishing off his second drink. He signaled Bash for a third.
"You sure you should be drinking more?"
"Yes. Definitely sure."
He filled his hand with more pretzels, and Bash refilled both their glasses and the snack bowl before disappearing to the other end of the bar.
"You're avoiding my question."
She lifted her gaze to his, wishing there wasn't so much history between them. If he were just some stranger, she'd definitely want to know more about him. He was incredibly good-looking, had an amazing body, and she wanted to put her hands on him. And her mouth on his. And do all kinds of things with him.
Naked.
She blinked and looked down at her glass. Her third glass, which was now empty.
Definitely the alcohol talking, because sensible Molly did not have lascivious thoughts about the man who broke her heart.
Inebriated Molly, on the other hand, was definitely having some.
"Tell me about your life, Carter."
"What do you want to know?"
"I don't know. Everything, I guess. Tell me about your work."
He shrugged. "I started working for the garage when I was still in high school, as you know. I left for college, but every time I was on break I worked there. When I got my business degree, I bought out the original place in Hope and converted it to a full-service garage. Several years later, I bought out a few more auto service companies in and around Tulsa and made them full-service as well."
She sipped at her drink, which had suddenly appeared before her. "You must have been pretty busy."
"It was hard work, but worth it. Each of the facilities is doing well now."
"I like what you've done with the garage in Hope. It caters to a full clientele. You can meet the needs of every resident in town, whether they need a tire rotation or a full transmission replacement."
Carter stared at her in awe. She could tell she'd nailed it in one pretty good tag line. "I like that. I might use it for advertising purposes."
She laughed. "That's what I do. Summarize what a company has to offer. I could probably help you out. Do you do commercials?"
"I've tried to do a couple, but they haven't been very successful."
"It's likely that you're not hitting your target market. You're either not creating the right advertising, or you're advertising at the wrong place, wrong time."
"That's possible. I should have you take a look at what we've tried out before. Maybe you can give me some advice."
"Sure."
"So tell me what you've been doing."
"A lot of marketing for various companies. I'm kind of a jack-of-all-trades. I can advise on marketing plans, create marketing programs, as well as execute them. I can develop advertising, and create a budget for sales and marketing. I've also worked in business management, streamlining systems, from accounting to hu
man resources."
"That's a pretty rich portfolio."
"It's a lot of on-the-job experience. I started out in sales departments of small companies and learned from some very good people. Then I contributed ideas along the way, and figured out I was pretty good at it. I've been like a sponge over the years."
"Best way to learn a job, in my opinion. We bring on a lot of apprentices in our shops. They tend to be focused and eager to learn."
Molly nodded. "I agree. I was a damn fine student of the craft."
He laughed and raised his glass. "And look at you now."
She clinked glasses with him, then set hers down, kind of gingerly.
"So, do you have a girlfriend?" she asked, then realized that had just fallen out of her mouth.
Damn alcohol.
She could tell her question had shocked him, because he stared at her for a few seconds before answering, "Uh, no."
"Dating anyone?"
"No. Are you?"
She shook her head. "We should have another drink."
"Sure."
This was a new side to Molly. She seemed . . . relaxed, likely due to the alcohol. Carter wasn't going to question it, though, because he was enjoying not having to be on guard, and more importantly, her not being on guard, either. He liked talking to her, getting to know her again.
He signaled Bash for another round, realizing he'd have to get them both a ride home tonight. But it was worth it to spend this time with her.
"So what do you do for fun when you're not busy being the king of auto repair?" she asked, grabbing the fresh drink and taking a long swallow.
"I play basketball with the guys. I go to movies. I hang out here at the bar and shoot pool. I go out now and then."
"Dating, you mean."
"Sometimes."
"And what kind of women do you like to go out with?"
"Are you interviewing me, Molly?"
She laughed. "Not really. Why, does it sound like an interrogation?"
"Kind of."
"Sorry. I'm just . . . interested."
"I'm happy to tell you anything you want to know about me." They were face-to-face on the barstools, her left knee wedged in between his. He wondered, if she hadn't had four of those drinks, if she'd let herself get this close to him.
"Now tell me what you do for fun," he said, taking the chance to scoot in closer. He waited for her to pull back. She didn't.
"I like to read, and I love old movies. I like music, which made the job I had in Austin kind of perfect for me."
"Would you have stayed?"
She tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"
"Emma said you moved around a lot, job-wise. Town-wise."
"Oh. I don't know. Maybe. I liked Delia, and I liked the job. It's hard to say. I get bored easily."
Her hair had come loose from her ponytail, and he took a strand, sifting it through his fingers. Again, he waited for her to balk, but she didn't, her gaze focusing on his face. On his mouth, making him want to lean in and kiss her.
What would she do then? He wished they were alone, so he could take that chance, but as skittish as Molly was around him, he didn't think a public place like the bar would be the right place to attempt it.
Then again, she was still looking at him with invitation in her eyes, so what the hell.
He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers.
Chapter 14
SUCH A FOOLISH, stupid thing to do, but Molly had been staring at Carter's mouth all night. And if he didn't kiss her soon she was going to grab him by the shirt, haul him off the barstool, and assault him.
But then he leaned in and she held her breath as his mouth touched hers.
It was like a lightning strike, a first kiss like no other, and she'd had plenty of first kisses. In fact, Carter had been her very first kiss, when she was fifteen years old. But this was a new first kiss, and it tasted like whiskey and heaven and she wished they weren't in a crowded bar because she wanted him to kiss her harder, to feel his body pressed up against hers. She felt his restraint as she reached out to hold on to his arms, felt the steely strength of his muscles there, and suddenly, more than anything else, she wanted the chance to explore the differences between the boy he'd been and the man he was now.
When Carter cupped his hand on the side of her neck, she forgot all about where they were and leaned into him. She gave a soft whimper as she felt his arm around her waist, tugging her against the rock-hard feel of his body.
Yes, definitely a man's body now. And she wanted so much more.
Until Bash cleared his throat.
In a kiss-induced haze, she drifted away from the delicious taste of Carter's mouth.
Carter looked over at Bash.
"You two should get a room."
Carter's lips lifted, then his gaze returned to Molly. She saw the heat and desire there and it warmed her body.
He tucked her hair behind her ears. "Maybe we should."
Which would be the absolute worst thing to do. She might be drunk, but she wasn't drunk enough.
"Actually, I should get home. I have an early day tomorrow."
She hated the words, even as she said them. She wanted to stay here--with Carter--wrapped up in this warm cocoon of alcohol and him.
"Sure. Let me scrounge us up a ride home."
She also liked that he knew he'd had enough to drink to not drive home.
"I'll give you both a ride," Bash said. "Let me get someone to cover the bar for a few minutes."
"You sure?" Carter asked.
Bash nodded and walked away. Carter turned to her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Wish we didn't have to leave. Wish I didn't have to go home."
"You don't have to go home. You could come home with me."
She inhaled a deep breath. "So many issues associated with that."
"Like?"
"Like the fact I live with my parents now, and that brings up a lot of questions if I don't show up tonight. Two, you and I have a history."
"A history I hope we can put in the past. Maybe we can start fresh."
She'd never thought about that. Starting over with Carter brought its own set of problems, none of which she was coherent enough to think about tonight.
"I . . . don't know."
"You two ready?" Bash asked, keys dangling from the key ring on his finger.
"Yup." Molly grabbed her purse and her coat.
"I guess we are," Carter said, sliding a regretful look in her direction.
She knew she hadn't given him an answer, and when Bash dropped her off first, she slid out of the backseat with a thanks for the ride home to Bash, and a quick good-night to Carter.
She slipped in her house quietly and made her way to her room, where she got ready for bed and slid under the covers.
Ten minutes later, her phone buzzed. She picked it up to see a message from Carter.
Good night, Molly.
She took a deep breath, figuring it was best to ignore his text.
But her nice buzz lingered, and her lips still tingled from his kiss.
So she typed a return message.
Good night, Carter. Sleep well.
Chapter 15
HE KNEW IT was a mistake, and he was probably going to regret it, but Carter showed up at Molly's doorstep first thing in the morning with two coffees and a box filled with pastries from Megan Lee's shop.
Molly opened the door wearing a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. Her hair was in a high ponytail and she wore no makeup.
"What are you doing here?"
He handed her one of the coffees. "I thought you could use an extra kick this morning, so I brought these by."
"Is that Carter?"
He heard Molly's mother's voice.
Molly took the coffee from him. "Is this like a latte or something that has espresso in it?"
"It is."
"I so need this. Thanks. Come on in. I was just filling my mom in about the committee meeting la
st night."
He stepped in and she shut the door behind him. Molly's mother was sitting on the sofa, her leg and arm propped up by pillows.
"Carter," Georgia said. "It's so nice of you to stop by."
"I brought pastries."
Georgia smiled. "From Megan's place?"
"Yes."
"I hope there's a cream puff in there. She makes the best."
"I had her put in a mix of items since I didn't know what everyone liked."
Molly laid the box down on the coffee table. "I'll go get some plates."
"I hear Molly was introduced to Mavis's manipulative ways last night," Georgia said as Carter took a seat in the chair across from the sofa.
"Yes, she was."
"I held my own," Molly said as she brought paper plates in and set them down. She opened the box. "There's a cream puff in here, Mom. Would you like it?"
"Only if Carter doesn't."
Carter took a sip of his coffee, then shook his head. "I brought those for you and Molly. Help yourselves."
"Oh, you have to eat, too, Carter."
"I can do that." He fished out a bear claw and set it on a plate, then grabbed a napkin. He took a bite and let the sugar melt on his tongue. Good stuff.
"But you got things accomplished, right? No pushback because I wasn't there?"
"Mavis had that gleam in her eye like she wanted to take over, but Molly held her own. Right up until she agreed to judge the holiday parade."
"Oh." Georgia's gaze shifted to Molly. "I forgot to warn you about that. I'm sorry, honey. Mavis can be pushy about that because she chairs the annual Hope holiday parade every year."
"I didn't know anything about it. Carter filled me in, though."
"I have no doubt you're tough enough to stand up to Mavis. In the meantime, things are progressing with the town square project. I knew you could handle it."
"She did good," Carter said, sliding a smile toward Molly.
She smiled back, surprising him.
He stood, taking his plate to the kitchen trash. "I need to head out to work."
"I'll walk you out."
"Have a good day, Carter," Georgia said.
"You, too, Georgia."
Molly shut the door behind her. "Thanks for bringing the pastries. I know my mom appreciated it. And thank you for the latte. I needed the jolt after last night."
He grinned. "Yeah, me, too. That alarm went off way too early this morning."
"So you've already been to work?"
"Yeah. We had a client bringing in a car before work, so I wanted to be there to open up. I took a quick break for a coffee run, so I need to head back."
"Okay. Have a good day."
"You, too."
She didn't turn and walk back to the house, which left him an opening.
