“Is that supposed to be a happy face?” I sit at the bar and point to a design on the back wall. It’s a sort of circle with what could potentially be eyes and a grin, but I’m not sure. “I can’t really tell.”
Navie, Crave’s bartender, laughs. “Yup. That’s Peck’s handiwork. He changes it out every few weeks, mostly to annoy Machlan. We’ve had a giant penis, a set of lips, a duck—oh, and a giant W. No one knew what that meant.” She furrows her brows. “I’m not even sure Peck knew, to be honest.”
I grin. Peck is the boy-next-door hottie that keeps everyone on their toes. The last time I was in Crave, he was dancing on the bar until Machlan threw him out. It’s all fun between them, I think. Machlan says he can’t let his cousin ruin his bar’s reputation, but I really think their push-and-pull is good for business.
Besides, they’re both ridiculously hot.
That never hurts.
“What are you doing in here tonight, anyway?” Navie asks.
I lift my chin. “I have a date, believe it or not.”
“Oooh. With who?”
Laughing, I take the mojito she offers me. “A guy I met today. At Suds N Spins.”
“Okay.” She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Look, I’m sure you’re well-equipped to pick out a decent guy. But let me point out that you’re drinking alcohol when you’re meeting a guy you just met at a laundromat in Linton. Is this safe?”
“Yes, it’s safe.”
“Is what safe?” Peck slides into the chair beside me. His blond hair is poking out from under his hat. “How ya doin’, Delaney?”
“Good,” I say, managing not to fan my face. “How are you?”
“Great.”
Navie grins. “I was just getting the run-down on Delaney’s date tonight.”
“Do I know him?” Peck asks.
“I don’t think so. His name is Boone and he’s from … somewhere,” I say, unable to pull that bit of information from my brain. “Anyway, he’s gorgeous and funny and offered to buy me a burger. So, here I am.”
Peck laughs, catching the beer that Machlan slides down the bar from the other end. “I’d have bought you a burger.”
My heart pitter-patters in my chest. “Well, had I known that …”
“Stop it.” Navie sighs. “You can’t say stuff like that when you’re so far up Molly McCarter’s ass.”
Peck tips back his beer, watching Navie over the top. Once he sets it back down, he grins. “Because Molly’s gonna marry me someday. Until she realizes that, it doesn’t hurt to be nice to other people, now does it?”
They banter back and forth. I lose track of their conversation when every cell in my body comes alive as a hand is placed lightly on my shoulder.
“Am I interrupting anything?” A deep, southern-tinged voice rolls from behind me.
Boone steps to my side. He’s fresh from the shower. The shirt he’s changed into is tighter than the one today. The dark fabric hugs his shoulders and biceps and I think I might drool.
“No,” I say, clearing my throat. “Not at all.”
His eyes sparkle as he sits next to me. “What are you drinking?”
“A mojito. They’re Navie’s specialty.”
At the sound of her name, Navie fake coughs. I laugh as I look at her.
“Boone, this is Navie. And this is Peck. His cousin owns this place. Guys, this is Boone Mason.”
They exchange pleasantries as I try to settle myself down.