“Oh, I think you were right behind him with those awesome high-heeled shoes of yours, giving him the kick in the ass he needed.”
Savannah’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Maybe now and then. He didn’t need as much of a butt kicking as everyone thought. Even as much as he thought. He’s a very special man.”
And that’s what love was all about. People who saw through the flaws and loved you anyway, who helped you when you needed it most, who would always be there for you, and who always had your back. Alicia wondered if she’d ever experience love like that.
She’d never been in love before. School and her career had kept her relationships mainly superficial.
Until Garrett. She’d let him in, let him wrap around her heart, and now she was afraid she’d made a huge mistake, because there was so much she still didn’t know about him.
Like why he was so reluctant to be around her family. He’d had no qualms about spending time with Gavin and Liz. Then again, that had been a more intimate gathering. Granted, her family en masse was nothing short of epically overwhelming. She understood that, but everyone was focused on Jenna as the center of attention tonight. She thought inviting Garrett would pull a little of the focus away from him.
She realized after that episode in the tunnels the other day that she likely had overreacted. No one from upper management had come running to tell her she was fired. None of the players had even looked at her funny. Garrett had either said something to them, or the only person freaked out about the whole thing was her.
She thought inviting Garrett to Jenna’s club opening would be a fun way for the two of them to hang out. It would be packed in here tonight, they could get lost in the crowd, and he would get a chance to meet her family at the same time.
So why had he balked at the invitation? Was it just the whole meeting-the-family thing? Had it been too much for him? Maybe that was too close to a relationship for him, and he just didn’t see the two of them that way.
She sighed and went to the beautifully distressed antique bar to order a glass of wine. Eric, one of the bartenders, had shaggy blond hair that fell over his forehead and searing blue eyes that seemed to look into your very soul. Eric poured her wine with a sexy smile. At the other end of the bar was Penny, built like a centerfold, with a slender waist, legs that went all the way to Ohio, and one hell of an impressive rack.
Jenna so knew how to choose bartenders. They were going to make a lot of tips, and they were going to sell a lot of booze.
“What do you think, Alicia?” her aunt Kathleen asked as Alicia wandered around to visit with family members.
“I think this is going to be another Riley success. This place is packed with both the curious and people wanting to sing tonight. Such a brilliant idea.”
Her uncle Jimmy beamed a wide smile. “I’m so proud of Jenna. She’s worked so hard to get this place in shape in time for the opening. There was even a write-up in the newspaper about it.”
“I saw that. You should be proud. And I’m excited. I can’t wait to hear Jenna sing. I’ve heard she’s incredible.”
“She’s amazing,” her aunt said, fighting back tears. She fished in her purse for a tissue. “I’m going to blubber all night.”
Alicia patted her aunt on the arm. “I think you deserve to.”
The music had already started up. The club featured a wide range of acts—anyone who wanted a chance to sing or play music could. Right now a guy had the mic and bellowed out a country-rock song that had people clamoring to get on the dance floor.
After visiting with her aunt and uncle for a few minutes, Alicia wandered off again, running into family members and friends of the family wherever she went. But it wasn’t only family members crowding into the club. There were people she didn’t know. Obviously, word had gotten out about the great new club, which was excellent news for the new business.
She decided she’d better elbow her way toward the front door so she could say a few words of congratulations to Jenna before her cousin got so busy she wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone the rest of the night.
The only problem with that was the solid wall of people standing in her path. Short of pushing and shoving, she was stuck where she was. Instead, she leaned against one of the wood beams and decided to sip her wine for a while. She’d catch up with Jenna later.
“Need a bodyguard to help you make your way through?”
She laughed and turned her head, shocked to see Garrett standing there.
And oh, did he look good in dark jeans and a white button-up shirt that hugged his lean, muscular body.
“What are you doing here?”
He cocked a brow. “I was invited, remember?”
“I do remember. You declined my invitation.”