“What if I’ve never had any bad dates?”
“Everyone has had bad dates.”
“I haven’t dated much.”
“You were covered in girls when I got here.”
“Were you checking me out, Cherry? And while you were with another man.” I click my tongue on the roof of my mouth. “I’m shocked and appalled. Now you owe me a drink.”
She laughs, and I join in. Jude brings fresh drinks, and we keep talking. Another round, more talking, more laughter, and for the first time since Micha died, I forget who I am and the world I live in. All thoughts of duty and family business deals leave my head as I focus entirely on her.
My face is starting to hurt from smiling so much, but I can’t help it. Every time I look at her, I just want to smile more. I force myself to look away for a moment to try to gain some composure, which is a mistake. As soon as I do, I see my father lurking at the far end of the bar, and the spell is broken.
I have no idea what he’s still doing here. Before tonight, he had never set foot in the club, as far as I know. He put up with it because it was perfect for money laundering, but it has never been a place he’d be seen in before now.
“Could you give me just a minute?” I say to Cherry. “I’ll be right back.”
“Of course. I need to run to the ladies’ room anyway.”
“It’s right over there on the left,” I say, pointing.
“Thank you!”
Cherry collects her purse and heads to the restrooms as I walk slowly to the end of the bar, stopping in front of my father and glaring.
“What are you doing here, Pops?” I try to keep my voice down so others can’t hear but loud enough so he can.
“Not drinking, that’s for sure.” His voice carries over the music, ringing clearly in my head. Even when it comes to speaking in crowds, he has the advantage.
“This isn’t your scene.”
“Checking up on you is my scene.”
“I’m fine.” I glare at him. “I have everything handled here without your help, just like I always have. This is the one place I already know what I’m doing, right?”
“Apparently not.” He snorts.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“That girl.” Dad tilts his head and points with his chin to where I had been sitting with Cherry. “You’re getting involved.”
“Involved? What the fuck, Dad? Weren’t you just telling me to come over and talk to her? Last month you were going on about how I’m going to have to get hitched and continue the family line!”
“You’re over there flirting like you have something to prove to that girl. You don’t. You’re forgetting the first rule of business—remove the competition.”
“Competition?”
“She came here with another man.”
“Yeah, and I threw him out.”
“What good does that do?”
“He’s not here anymore.”
“He can come back. He can approach her somewhere else. You’ve done nothing.”
“What exactly are you suggesting? You think I need to take him out permanently?”
“Keep your fucking voice down,” he says with a snarl. “You know exactly what I mean. Now send Threes after him before he gets too far.”
“You really think I have the time to track down some shithead just to get him out of the way?”
“I think you need to take the time. This girl is important.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“You have other priorities now. You’re going to get distracted, and then you’re going to fuck up, just like the last time. And stop swearing at me, or I’ll take you over my knee right here and now.”
I tense and clench my jaw. He can’t be serious, but he’s also done worse.
“I’m a little old for that,” I mutter.
“Maybe I’ll bust a beer bottle over your head, then.”
“I’m done.” I turn to walk away, but his clear voice follows me.
“She’s the one, Nate. You know she is.”
I get back to my seat just a few moments before Cherry returns from the bathroom.
“Everything all right?” Cherry asks when she sits down.
“It’s fine.” I smile, already relaxing as the proximity between my father and me decreases. “Just a little family nonsense.”
“Your family is here?” Her eyes narrow in suspicion, and I realize she’s misunderstood.
“No, no. Nothing like that.” I lean a little closer and hold up my left hand. “No ring. I’m not married. My family just runs this place.”
“You…your family owns the club?”
“Well, yes.” I tilt my head and narrow my eyes at her. “You didn’t know?”
“How could I?”
Okay, this is odd. I don’t expect to know everyone in town, but I do expect them to know who I am. Is it possible she just doesn’t recognize me? The press does blur the photos.
“I thought most everyone in town knew me.”
She pauses for a long moment, looking at me carefully. Her throat bobs as she swallows, and her gaze drops to her drink.
“Well, I’m not from around here,” Cherry says. She looks at me sideways, somewhat indignant.
“Really?” I choose to ignore her expression. I’m caught a little off guard, but now I am even more intrigued. “Where are you from?”
“Maryland.”
“That’s vague.”
“It’s not that big of a state.”
“I suppose not.” I grin. I still can’t believe I’ve been sitting with her all this time, assuming she knew exactly whom she was talking to, and I feel the need to reset. She has no idea who I am or what I do. “So what brings you to the big city of Cascade Falls?”
“It’s not that big of a city.”
“Fair enough.” I laugh. “Still, you must have had a reason to pick
