“There you are!” Nell rushed over, red hair strictly tied back, wearing a professional-looking black apron.
Vaughan frowned and checked his watch. “I’m right on time.”
A brow went up. “Did I say you weren’t?”
“Nice place.” I interrupted the potential argument before the two siblings gained momentum. “All of the dark wood with the raw brickwork and the giant windows. It’s got such a great atmosphere.” It truly did. Brutal might be the best word to describe the style of the place. Though there were traces of luxury and nods to the buildings 1920s origins too. A section of wall covered in ancient band posters had been preserved. A fancy black wrought-iron circle staircase sat in the corner, leading up to the closed-off second level. The wooden-topped metal-legged table-and-chair sets had an edgy industrial feel. But there were also booths with luxurious shiny black leather. It shouldn’t have worked yet it did. The temptation to settle in and order a drink, a plate of something to eat, was huge.
“It’s awesome, Nell.”
The wrinkle lines around Nell’s nose disappeared and her lips spread wide in obvious pleasure. “You like it?”
“I love it.” Chris would have sneered at the place for not being fancy enough, but screw him anyway. The bar felt comfortable, relaxing, despite all of the people turning our way, whispering. No. Okay. That was a lie. I wasn’t okay with this. Never had there been such a crappy idea. I should have stayed hidden away at the house.
Oh, no. Wait. My mistake. They were checking out Vaughan in his tight jeans. Fair enough. His ass was a work of art. I breathed out a sigh of relief. Excellent. Tonight would be good. I’d just blend in, chill out, and chat with Nell.
“Eric and his brother, Joe, did most of the work. Come and meet him. Joe, this is Lydia,” she hollered, snagging the attention of almost everyone in the bar.
Yeah, okay. Now all eyes were definitely turned my way. Bless Nell and her family’s extraordinary lung capacity. If only they’d use it for good instead of evil.
“You know, the one I told you about.” She grabbed my wrist and towed me through the labyrinth of tables toward the bar.
“I know,” the blond bear behind the bar responded, giving me a nod. Then his smiling eyes moved on to Vaughan. “Nice of you to let us know you were back in town, dickface.”
“Yeah, yeah. Nell’s already given me a hard time.” Vaughan reached across the bar, gripping the other guy’s thick shoulder. “Good to see you, man.”
“You too. How long you back for this time?”
“Not sure. Got a few things to sort out.”
Joe grunted understanding.
Joe appeared to be a mountain-man-bartender crossbreed. A Viking throwback, maybe. He was a big guy with big shoulders and a big blond beard. Clearly, there were far more northern Idaho sex gods than I’d given the region credit for. Further classifications were going to be required. If Vaughan topped the super-cool category, then maybe this new guy should win on the lumbersexual front. Given my abrupt return to singledom, I’d have to give this important man-classification system more thought.
Disclaimer: Objectifying people is wrong and stuff.
“Hear you’re hired,” said Joe to Vaughan.
“Yep.”
“Get on the right side of the bar, then.”
Vaughan laughed and did as told. Obviously, the bar itself was old and original. Names, dates, and every other marking imaginable had been scratched into the polished wood over god knows how many years of service. This place had real history. It was a decent-size bar, running alongside one of the interior walls. Behind it were shelves full of liquor. Every kind imaginable. Hidden down lights lit up the glass bottles beautifully. Below this sat a long row of beer taps; all the options were mind-boggling.
Clearly, the Dive Bar took its booze seriously.
“Hey, sis,” said Vaughan, lowering his voice.
“What?”
“Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.” Nell patted me on the arm, before turning back to her brother. “Don’t worry, your new girlfriend is safe with me. Right, let me quickly run you through the price list.”
“I’m not his girlfriend,” I said for the sake of anyone listening. “We’re just friends.”
“Yeah?” Joe scratched at his chin. “I’m single too.”
“Really?” I asked, immediately feeling embarrassed by how shocked I was.
The big guy shrugged, giving me a what-can-you-do look. “Working nights, place like this…”
Huh. “Are you trying to tell me you don’t meet a lot of women tending bar?”
Swear to god, there was a dimple hidden in that there beard. “I meet a lot of women. Not necessarily the kind you want to take home to Mom, you know? Not necessarily the kind looking to meet Mom either.”
“Not that there is anything wrong with that.”
“Absolutely not, ma’am.” Joe started checking me out with renewed interest, dark gaze lingering over my lady bumps. But as brawny and manly as the dude was, his being Vaughan’s friend and coworker made him a complication. Whatever happened between now and me putting this town in my rearview mirror, it would not involve complications.