Page 99 of Rising Heat

“You’re handling it well.”

“I’m adaptable,” I toss back.

Mack smirks at that, and I watch as Marco notices but says nothing like he’s filing it away in whatever internal database he keeps on everyone around him.

My eyes drift toward the brass bell hanging near the center beam, the metal unevenly polished from years of use.

“What’s the story with the bell?”

“You ring it, you buy the whole bar a round,” Tyler says with a knowing smirk.

“People actually do that?”

“Depends how drunk they are,” Ryan says.

“Depends on the company,” Tyler adds.

Mack’s attention settles on me.

“Don’t touch it.”

I tip my head.

“And what if I wanted to?”

A low chuckle escapes Tyler as the booth seems to collectively lean in.

Coop’s eyes light up with pure delight.

“Well,” he drawls. “This is new.”

Ryan finally tears his attention away from his beer.

“I’ve been waiting years for somebody to say that to him.”

Marco hides a smile behind the rim of his glass.

“She’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, Mack.” Trick lounges farther into the booth, thoroughly entertained now. “What if she wanted to?”

Mack doesn’t so much as flinch.

“You don’t.”

“You sound sure.”

“I am.”

The silence hangs for just a beat longer before I smile into my beer.

Tyler breaks first.

“To be fair, the last time somebody rang it, we didn’t leave until well after closing.”

“The last time you rang it,” Mack corrects.

“Worth it,” Coop says immediately.