Page 81 of Bastard Bartender

Chapter Twenty-One

“Looks like you and Nic are having a good time.”

Marie and I are at our reserved seats at Lounge 702. Nic is working tonight, so we came out for a drink.

“I haven’t had too many opportunities to hang with my bestie lately. I’m kinda jealous he’s been occupying your time so much,” she says, nudging her shoulder into mine.

I grin, just thinking about how much fun Nic and I have been having lately. “We took a helicopter to the Grand Canyon, which was amazing. Then, I had a huge event to prep for at the stadium, so I was pretty much MIA, even from Nic while I got that sorted. And then there was the twenty-four hours we locked ourselves in his place—during which, I was totally avoiding you.”

“Damn, woman. You look good, you know that? All glowy and shit.”

“That’s the kind of thing you say to pregnant women.”

“Fuck! Are you pregnant?” Her jaw drops, and I nearly drop my glass.

“Oh my, no! Definitely not. Seriously, that’s how rumors get started.” I take a napkin and swipe up the liquor that spilled on the bar top. “What about you? Any change of heart about having Sammy’s babies?”

“I’m still on the fence about a wedding. Leave me alone about kids. One step at a time.”

“Baby steps,” I tease as Nic appears before us on his side of the bar.

“Who’s having a baby?” he asks, and I laugh so hard that I start coughing. “You okay there, bella?”

“I’m trying to convince Marie to settle down already and have Sammy’s babies.”

Marie sighs. “It’ll happen. I’m just not ready for it … yet.”

Nic grins. “Why not? Kids are fucking awesome.”

Marie and I have matching faces—mouth twisted, deep crease in our brows—as we stare at him, utterly confused.

“You want kids?” she asks.

“You don’t like being tied down. That’s pretty much the epitome of being lassoed to a person,” I ask.

“I didn’t say I’m ready for it yet. Maybe in ten years? I’m great with kids, and we’d have a blast, running all over town, doing every crazy thing I can imagine. But I have to be the good cop. I’m not the best disciplinarian,” he explains, and I raise my glass in agreement.

“Now, that I can picture.” I’m giggling, yet it has more to do with the swoosh that just swarmed my belly.

Nic wants kids. That’s a huge turn-on and is definitely playing with my emotions right now. A man who I’m falling in love with wants children. I’m not gonna wait ten years, but this piece of information is a step in the right direction.

Nic looks at Dro, who is at the bar, talking to some women, and shakes his head. “My boy is about to get shot down.”

“How do you know?” I ask.

“He’s pulling out his wallet, which means he’s going for his last-ditch effort to impress her with his badge.”

I groan. “That’s so cheesy.”

“We tell him all the time it’s a show-off move. The girl is Brazilian, so he’s crushing hard right now.”

Marie looks over at Nic. “Do you miss being single?”

He looks my way and winks. “No way. I got my dream girl.”

Double swoon. Belly jolts are happening right now as I watch him walk away and help a customer. Marie is hitting my knee in excitement, and I grin while covering my mouth.

I’m happy. Really happy, and it all has to do with Nic.