Moonlight Kiss

beard.”

8 Honky-Tonk Heaven

“SULLY’S IS FUN!” ADDISON TOOK ANOTHER SWALLOW OF her martini, called a Redneck Sunset. She and Mia sat at a high-top table near the back of the bar by flat-screen televisions showing a variety of sporting events. The event getting the most attention was two men in a cage grappling with each other until one tapped out. “How’s your Honky-Tonk Heaven?”

“Delish,” Mia replied with a chuckle. “It tastes a little bit like a Washington Apple but less tart. Even though Pete pokes fun at posh restaurants with fancy martini names, he’s an amazing mixologist. He knows the importance of chilling the glasses, and you’ll never see any shards of ice floating in one of his martinis.”

“Excellent.”

“It was Pete’s son, Clint, who actually came up with the funny names, but don’t be fooled. He only uses top-shelf liquor.”

“I can tell.” Addison nodded with appreciation and then lifted her glass. “And it packs quite a punch but tastes good enough to be dangerous.”

“Hey, if we get hammered we can walk to my condo from here, so no worries. We’re celebrating, remember?”

Addison felt another tingle of excitement. “I can’t really believe I’m opening a bridal shop, of all things. Everything is happening so fast! But Mom crunched the numbers with me and she thinks the shop will do well.” She tapped her toes to the country music blaring from the jukebox and looked around. She’d never been fond of going to clubs, much to Garret’s dismay. Unlike happy hours Addison was used to at piano lounges, where subtle music played in the background and hushed conversations buzzed at a low hum, accented by the muted tinkle of glasses, this bar was loud and hopping. Two couples played a lively game of pool at the far end of the bar. Darts were being tossed in the corner and an old-fashioned pinball machine dinged and flashed with enthusiasm. Music, laughter, shouted greetings, and friendly wagers mingled together in a loud blend of fun.

“Tonight is trivia night.” Mia picked up a sheet of paper lined and numbered for answers. “Want to play?”

“I have a lot of nerdy, useless knowledge,” Addison admitted with a grin. “We should put it to good use.”

“Let’s do it!” Mia picked up the pencil and turned the sheet of paper over. “For now, let’s brainstorm names for your shop.” She tapped the pencil against her cheek. “How about the name Happily Ever After?”

Addison snorted.

“Now . . . now. A bridal-shop owner can’t have that jaded attitude,” Mia warned in a low tone, but gave Addison a sympathetic smile and then raised her eyebrows. “Any other suggestions?”

“Wedding Bell Blues?”

“Addison . . .”

“Okay, okay.” Addison took another sip of Redneck Sunset and then nibbled on the inside of her cheek. “I don’t know. How about Wear White Anyway?”

Mia laughed.

“Third Time’s the Charm?”

Mia chuckled again but then sobered. “Listen, your prince will come along someday. Maybe when you least expect it. Trust me, if it happened to me, it can happen to you.”

“Mia, I already told you. I’m taking a break from men.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Too bad, because guess who just walked in.”

“Adam Levine? Because I’d make him an exception to my new rule.”

“No, not quite. But that hot guy from Wine and Diner just came in, looking pretty fly in faded jeans and a blue button-down shirt.”

“Reid Greenfield?” Addison’s pulse quickened, and it was hard not to turn around for a look. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that I met him while you were on the phone.”

“You did? So he talked to you?”

“Well . . .” Addison rolled her eyes. “Yeah, after I ran into him, spilling tea all over his white T-shirt. Not my finest moment.”

Mia laughed. “Well, I spilled ice water onto Cam’s lap the first time we met, so believe it or not, this could be the start of something good.”

“Mia . . .” Addison warned in a low voice.

Mia raised her hands upward in surrender.

“I’m not starting anything with anybody.”

“I know . . .” she said glumly. “Oh . . . he is coming closer, at the tub of iced beer behind you.”

“Again, I’m not interested in starting anything except for a business,” Addison insisted, even though the urge to turn around got stronger when she heard Reid’s smooth, sexy voice asking for a Kentucky Ale. The fact that Reid was standing fairly close made her skin feel warm and tingly. “But as a matter of fact, Reid was interested in me. In hiring me as a consultant, that is.”

Mia took a sip of her Honky-Tonk Heaven. “Really? For a wedding?” She pulled a pout. “Is he getting married?”

“No, actually, he wants me to dissuade his sister from renovating a barn on their property to use for wedding receptions. He doesn’t think it’s a good way to invest her retirement money.”

Mia shook her head. “Well, Reid might just be wrong. Barn weddings used to be popular only among farmers, but it’s recently come back in vogue. I’ve been doing research for my own wedding and barn weddings are pretty cool. I even pinned a couple to my wedding wish board in Pinterest.”

“So you like the concept?”

“Yeah, I like intertwining something rustic and earthy with elegance. It’s not like it’s something new, but barn weddings are gaining mainstream popularity. It has the earthy appeal that everyone’s going for these days. And weddings are big bucks. She might be on to something lucrative, and you should talk to her about it.”

“But Reid wants me to talk her out of it.”

Mia tapped the table with her fingernail. “But as a consultant it would be up to you to change his mind if your research proves otherwise.”

Addison didn’t think that would go over too well, since he was pretty much dead set against his sister taking a risk, but she nodded. She’d definitely want to do a lot of research and look at the property and numbers before presenting her case to him. “I suppose so.”

“Well, guess what. Reid is heading over here right now.”

“He is?” Addison swallowed hard and suddenly felt a flutter of nervous anticipation. A moment later he was standing at their table, smiling. Addison felt her cheeks grow warm and the flutter remained. “Well, hello, Reid,” she managed, a bit embarrassed that her voice sounded breathy.

“Hi, Addison,” he said in that slow Southern way, and nodded to Mia and offered his hand. “I’m Reid Greenfield. I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Mia Monroe.” Mia smiled. “Nice to meet you, Reid. Would you like to join us?”

Addison narrowed her eyes slightly at her cousin, who gave her a look of pure innocence.

“Sure, I’ll join you for a drink. Would you ladies like a refill?”

Knowing she shouldn’t have another martini, Addison felt her head nod up and down, anyway.

“Mia?” Reid asked, but Mia’s phone beeped.

“Oh my gosh,” Mia said as she looked down at a text message. “Cam’s game got canceled and he has tomorrow off. He’s coming home for the night! He said he’ll be home in an hour or so.” Mia bounced up and down in her chair.