The Beard (Haylee Thorne)

by Haylee Thorne

“Thanks again for filling in last minute. I know Drew really appreciates it.”

  “No problem at all. It’s easy work.” He scowls and pulls at the collar of his shirt. “I just wish I didn’t have to wear this damn thing. Hate having shit on my neck.”

  I can’t help but chuckle, because I obviously know exactly how he’s feeling, but I give him some shit anyway. “Toughen up and quit your bitching.”

  Gage points to my loosened collar and retorts. “Shut the fuck up with the bitching talk! Where the hell is your tie?”

  I grin broadly. “I don’t work for my brother so I’ll wear whatever the hell I want.”

  We both laugh and take a couple more drinks in silence before Gage points his bottle toward the stage. “Looks like Drew might be getting ready to speak, so I’m going to go find a good spot.”

  “Okay, look me up after if you want to get another drink.” I tip my bottle at him in goodbye and turn to see if I can find Hannah, Drew’s wife. Scanning the crowd in front of the stage, I spot her and start working my way over, a smile breaking across her face as she sees me and lifts her hand to wave me over.

  I wave back and only miss half a beat in my step when I notice the woman in the gold dress is standing next to Hannah, her features a mask of surprise as I reach Hannah and kiss her on the cheek. “How’s my favorite sister-in-law?”

  She kisses me back on my cheek and giggles. “I’m your only sister-in-law.”

  “Then you win, hands down.” I give her a wink and move to address the three people standing next to her, my eyes landing on the woman in gold, who is shaking her head lightly, a small grin of defeat on her mouth. “Hi, I’m Ben, Hannah’s brother-in-law, I don’t think we’ve met before.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry Ben.” Hannah changes quickly into hostess mode. “This is Drew’s friend from college, Mika Kingsley and his new bride Reava.” She gives me a quick look of apology. “I thought you may have already known him.”

  “No worries at all Hannah.” I grasp Mika’s firm grip in my own and shake it. “Nice to meet you both.” I give a warm smile to his wife and then move my attention to the woman on her right, extending my hand, unable to hide the devil in my grin. “And you are?”

  She purses her lips and tilts her head, gracefully placing her hand in mine before finally bringing her eyes up to meet mine. “Jill Baldwin. Nice to meet you Ben.”

  I’ve got to hand it to the man, he’s very resourceful. His lips curl up into a triumphant smirk. Damn it. Of course, he had to be Benjamin freaking Sapphire.

  “Jill Baldwin?” He repeats my name, as if he’s mulling it over in his head. The timber of his voice travels up my spine, awakening every nerve inside my body. Sex is literally seeping from his pores. And he is 1000% the type of guy I need to stay far, far away from. “I know I have heard that name before.” He says, not taking his eyes off me.

  Dear God, it feels as if he looking right into my inner thoughts. I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. Nope. Tall, dark and off limits. I tell myself sternly. I force myself to get it together.

  “I think that you were supposed to be at the meeting I had with your brother last week,” I reply sweetly. “But you had to cancel last minute?”

  “Jill owns that amazing spa downtown, Serenity.” Hannah chimes in.

  I met with Drew, Hannah’s husband, last week after Mika set up the meeting. He thought that a partnership with Sapphire resorts would be a great way for me to expand my business. Quite frankly, I am happy Ben wasn’t at that meeting. I don’t think I could have focused. Drew Sapphire is handsome, but his brother—oh my God—that man should be illegal. From his dark hair that’s screaming to have my fingers run through it, to the intense gaze in his beautiful hazel eyes. Every inch of his impressive six feet is drawing me in, like a moth to a flame. And that is a sure sign that I need to run for the hills, and fast.

  “Well, I was sorry to miss the meeting that day, even more so right now.” He replies smoothly as he flashes me a smile that could melt any pair of panties.

  Good God, I need to get away from him. I force a tight smile. “Maybe next time. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go powder my nose,” I reach for Rae’s arm. “Are you coming?” I ask her urgently.

  Raeva raises a brow, but nods. She kisses Mika on the cheek. “I’ll be back in a bit, love.” She tells him sweetly.

  My heart is pounding against my chest, as if its wanting to escape from it. I take long strides towards the lady’s room, practically dragging poor Rae with me.

  “Slow down, Jillybean. These are 6” heels, ya know?”

  I slow my roll. “Sorry, Rae. I just had to get away.” I tell her as we step into the fancy bathroom. I look around. The Sapphires really take things to the next level.

  Raeva chuckles. “I take it that Ben is Tall, dark, and hell no?”

  I groan. “I can’t possibly do business with Benjamin Sapphire.”

  Raeva rolls her eyes at me. “Are you seriously going to walk away from a huge opportunity, just because you find a man attractive? I know I don’t have to tell you how ridiculous that sounds.” She takes a step towards me and places her hand gently on my forearm.

  I sigh. “Rae, guys like him—.”

  “Guys like him?”

  “Yeah, too handsome, too rich, too…”

  “Too what exactly? Do you realize, you’ve just pretty much described Mika? And you adore him, I know you do.” She says smiling widely.

  “I adore him, because he makes you happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

  Rae’s face lights up like a Christmas tree. “That he does.”

  “Benjamin Sapphire is just not what I need in my life right now, Rae. I’ve been down that road plenty of times. I’m not…”

  “Whoa, let me stop you right there. We are talking about a business deal, not marriage. If you don’t want to date him, then don’t. It’s that simple.”

  As usual, my best friend makes total sense. “You’re right, I’m being silly.” I am being ridiculous. No matter how gorgeous Ben is, I am in complete control of my actions. I tell myself, all the while knowing, that’s not entirely true.

  “You good, Jillybean?”

  “I’m good.”

  Raeva folds her arms around me and hugs me. After a beat, I pull away, holding her upper arms. I look at my beautiful bestie. Her long, dark hair is cascading around her shoulders, and her full lips are painted the same red as her silky gown that seems to have been poured onto her. “Have I told you, you look amazing tonight?”

  “Repeatedly, but thank you. And might I add, right back at ya. No wonder you had Ben drooling.”

  A girlish giggle escapes from my lips. “He was not drooling.”

  “Oh please.” Rae challenges.

  We both are laughing as we walk out of the bathroom. “Is there any particular reason why you keep running off, Jill?”

  I almost miss a step. I look up to find Benjamin Sapphire leaning against the wall across from the lady’s room.

  “Well, that’s my cue.” Rae announces as she flashes me a wink.

  “Traitor.” I mouth at her. I watch her walk away with an enormous grin on her face for a moment before I turn to face my accuser. “Going to the bathroom is running off?”

  I’m surprised with how even my tone is. Judging from the look on Sapphire’s face, it’s thrown him off too. But he recovers fast and flashes me a smile as he approaches me.

  “So, we can have a drink at the bar then?”

  “Look, um. Ben, is it?”

  He closes the distance between us and cocks his head. “You know it is.”

  I bit my lower lip, in an attempt to hide my smile—it’s fun sparring with him. He’s so close now, close enough for me to smell his cologne. Hints of clean soap and earthy scents tickle my nostrils, and it is taking everything I have to stop myself from inhaling the scent of him. Mercifully, I manage to collect myself. Lifting my head up, I look up at him and smile sweetly.

  “I’m just not that into you.�
��

  His eyes sparkle brightly, a twinkle of amusement setting them ablaze. He takes another step closer, his right-hand slips around my waist, pulling me against him. It doesn’t even occur to me to stop him. Our eyes lock and I feel his left index finger trail slowly from my shoulder to the very tip of my index finger. The gentle touch is setting my body on fire. I gasp slightly. I scream at myself inwardly to look away, but my irises are his willing prisoners. My body trembles against his, we are so close I can feel how hard is chest is. He leans in, agonizingly slow and I know that I’m done for. His lips are now just mere inches from mine. My eyes flicker to his perfect mouth, and I swallow hard.

  “Yes,” he whispers against my lips. “I can see just how little you are into me.” His lips gently brush my cheek and he releases me. The air is thick with desire, and I know it’s not just mine. Ben shakes his head, smirk on his face. “Stubborn little thing, aren’t you?”

  He takes my hand once more and raises it to his lips. “I’ll definitely be in touch.”

  And with those parting words, he leaves me standing there in the hallway, somewhere between feeling bereft and dumbfounded.

  Love Notes Excerpt

  My #bookbestie Michelle Windsor is releasing her latest book “Love notes” on April 13th. This book is EVERYTHING. So, I begged her to let me show you all a little sneak peek. Link to purchase will be at the end.

  CHAPTER ONE

  I look in the mirror one more time and stick my tongue out at my own reflection as I pull my hair into a ponytail. This is as good as it’s going to get today. It’s over ninety degrees out, and keeping my hair pulled back is the only way I’m going to be able to manage the long, wavy locks as I tend bar. I brush some pink gloss over my lips and leave the bathroom, shutting the light off as I go.

  Ten minutes later, I steer my car into the parking lot across the street from the pub where I work. It’s just after three, but even though my shift doesn’t start until four, it’s Friday and it’s hot. As the clock strikes five, the bar will fill up quickly, so it’s better to arrive a bit early and make sure everything is stocked so we aren’t running around like chickens with our heads cut off later tonight.

  I climb out of the car, make my way through the parking lot, and cross the quiet street. I can see the dim lights on through the gold and blue ‘Hook’s Landing’ lettering on the large, plate glass window, but otherwise, it looks quiet inside.

  “Working tonight, are ya, Sydney?”

  “Yep.” I shield my eyes from the sun with a raised hand and stop to talk to one of our town’s finest, Sargent Sheldon. “Hot enough out here for you?”

  “Oh, yeah, but keeps the riff-raff off the streets, so I’m not complaining.”

  “Sure, except they’ll all be hanging out here in another couple of hours.” I laugh and point to the door, indicating I need to get going. “See ya later maybe?”

  “Nope. Going home to watch the game and then hitting the hay.” He tips his hat and smiles. “You have a good night, though.”

  “Yep. See ya later, Sarge.” I pull the door open, step inside, and sigh in relief as cool air washes over me.

  “Syd, you’re early!” My best friend Kelly is standing behind the bar, loading fresh bottles of Bud into one of the coolers.

  “Hey, Kell Bell! Yeah, figured I’d help get things ready for tonight. Think we’ll be busy?” I walk straight to the end of the bar and scoot under the cut-through so I can be on the same side as her.

  “Does a bear shit in the woods? You look cute.”

  A quick glance down at my cut-off denim shorts and black tank top has me wondering what the hell she sees that I don’t. I look back at her. “I do?”

  “You’d look even cuter if you had cowboy boots on instead of those damn chucks.”

  “I like my sneakers. Do you know how freaking hot cowboy boots would be today? Are you nuts?”

  “You’d get better tips with the boots on, just saying.”

  I look over her outfit, noticing she’s also wearing denim cut-offs, but has on a cute, sleeveless, red and white gingham top, the bottom tied in a knot, revealing her toned midriff. Then, yep, her red cowboy boots finish her ensemble.

  “You look hot, and we split our tips anyway. What difference does it make?” I lean over and grab a case of Miller Lite off the floor, throw it on the bar, and start loading them into one of the other coolers.

  “The difference is that if you spiced up your look just a little bit, we’d make even more.” Kelly huffs and continues to slam bottles into the cooler.

  “Are you girls arguing again?”

  We both turn our heads as Kelly’s mom, who is also the owner of the bar, walks out of the kitchen.

  “No,” we both reply in unison and break out giggling.

  “Uh-huh.” Shaking her head, she grabs a glass off the back of the bar and pours herself a Coke from the gun. “Syd, can you move the two tables over in front of the left window into the back room? I’ve got some new entertainment coming in to play tonight, and he should be here anytime to set up.”

  “Sure, Shannon. Who’s playing?” I finish loading the case of Miller Lite I was working on and throw the empty box on the stack behind Kell.

  “Justin Jeffries. He does an acoustic guitar thing and sings. Have you heard of him?”

  I look over at Kelly to see if she has before, and we both shake our heads no.

  “Is he local?” I squat under the cut-through and walk to the front of the bar to begin moving the chairs away from the tables I need to move.

  “Next town over, over on County Road. His parents have the big cattle farm.”

  “Oh, yeah, I know that farm. I don’t know the family, though.”

  “Well, he’ll be here soon, so guess you will now.” I watch Shannon go back into the kitchen, and then I lift one of the tables and carry it through the bar and out the door to the back room. I plop it down inside the door and do the same with the second table. When I turn to walk out of the back room, Kelly runs in and waves her hands in the air, hopping in place.

  “Oh my God!” Her cheeks are flushed pink, and a crazy smile is plastered on her face.

  “Jesus, Kell, what’s up?”

  “Justin Jeffries is what’s up. He just walked in, and Lord, that man is fine.” I watch as she fans herself again and blows out a long breath.

  “You gonna make it?” Sarcasm drips from my voice but, come on; her reaction seems a bit dramatic. I mean, how hot can the guy be?

  She immediately stops jumping and looks at me seriously. “You don’t believe me?” Extending her arm, she points to the door. “Go out and see for yourself.”

  “Fine, I will!” I roll my eyes at her, push the door open, and step back into the bar. Empty. I turn back around and raise my brows. “No one’s here.”

  “What?” She pushes past me into the room and looks around and then at me. “Well, he was just here. I’m sure he’ll be back.”

  “Oh, Kell Bell, what am I going to do with you?” I rub her head playfully and crawl back under the bar. “Have you cut any fruit yet?”

  I turn as she follows me under the bar, her eyes still glued to the spot Justin was supposedly adorning only moments before. I snap my fingers in front of her face to break the spell she’s under and finally get a response from her. “We need lemons.”

  “Cool. I’ll go grab some out back and get started on those.” I walk to the far end of the bar and through the doors that lead to the kitchen and grab a box of lemons out of the fridge. Shannon’s there as well, cutting up vegetables and humming quietly to herself as she works. I pull a knife out of the drawer and begin slicing lemons and throw them into a bowl. When the bowl is full, I put the remaining lemons back in the fridge and head back into the bar. I swing through the doors and slam right into Kelly, lemons clattering to the floor in a heap of yellow rinds and juice.

  “Jesus Christ, Kelly!” I step back and look down at the mess on the floor. “Watch where you’re going!”


  “Sorry! Shit, look what I made you do!” We both bend down at the same time to pick up the mess and somehow manage to make things worse by banging our foreheads together, thus causing us both to fall onto our backsides. I throw a hand over the spot smarting on my forehead and can’t help the laughter that breaks out as I look over and see Kelly doing the same. Thirty seconds later, we’re both laughing so hard, with tears streaming down our faces, that we barely hear the swoosh of the front door opening.

  “Shush!” Kelly throws a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles and pops to a standing position. I watch as her eyes grow momentarily wide and her cheeks flush pink before she opens her mouth to speak. “Oh, hi again. You need anything?”

  “You okay back there?” His deep voice echoes across the empty bar and trickles down to the floor where I’m still sitting, absentmindedly picking lemons up off the floor.

  Kelly shuffles back and forth and gives a nonchalant wave of her hand. “Oh yeah, we’re fine. We spilled some lemons. Just picking them up.”

  “I’d love a glass of ice water if you don’t mind. It’s hot as Hades out there.”

  I want to stand up so badly to see the person attached to the voice that already sounds like music to my ears, but I remain frozen in place. Kelly tells him we’ll bring some right out and squats back down next to me.

  She grins like a cat that just ate the canary, grabs the bowl of lemons out of my hands, and whispers to me, “I told you he’d be back. Go get him some water so you can check him out up close.”

  “Seriously?” Hissing, I grab the bowl of lemons back out of her hands. “You do it! I’ll feel stupid after crawling around on the floor.”

  Swiping the bowl out of my hands again, this time curling it into the side of her body so I can’t take it back, she stands abruptly and looks down at me. “Better make it a whole pitcher, Syd. He’s looking pretty hot.”

  “You bitch!” I mouth silently, then rise quickly, turn, and rush back through the kitchen door to get a pitcher.

  Here’s the thing about me: I’m a pretty confident girl. I can strike up a conversation with just about anyone, whether it be an old friend from school, the local law enforcement, or even the tourists that come from miles away in the fall. That is, as long as I’m not attracted to the person in any way, shape, or form. If I’m attracted to someone, I become a bumbling idiot. Either nothing flows from my mouth, or, even worse, strange words come from some hidden place inside of me, spewing forth at the most unlikely of times. And, please know, this isn’t limited to just men, and no, I’m not gay, but a beautiful woman can also be very intimidating and trigger these wonderfully embarrassing traits.