“You’re from Jackson Harbor, aren’t you?” Jason asks. “Where have you been?”
I do my best to lock up the tangle of emotions that flood me every time I think of Brayden telling his brother he regrets hiring me, pull my attention back to the man in front of me, and smile widely. “I’ve lived in New York for the last eight years. What about you?”
Brayden
Molly is dancing with Jason Ralston. They’re dancing together in the middle of my bar like this is some dance club and not a fucking brewpub. She has her arms wrapped behind his neck and is laughing as if he’s the funniest guy she’s ever met. Fucking fantastic.
I’m trying not to glare, but it’s hard not to be irritated. She’s avoided me since she walked in the door, but Jason fucking Ralston makes her light up like that?
Carter smacks me between the shoulder blades. “You’re staring, brother.”
I tear my gaze off Molly. Off her long legs, exposed in that short red dress. Off her hips, swaying to the music. Off the grin she’s been giving Jason. I thought she was just busy when she avoided me at work earlier, but she barely spared me a hello when she got here tonight, and then upped the stakes when she went for the tequila.
I’ve been keeping one eye on her all night, but maybe a little more since Jason arrived. I thought I was being inconspicuous. Apparently not.
“They seem to be hitting it off, huh?” Carter asks, frowning toward Molly and Jason.
“Seems like it.” I shake my head and give my attention to the rest of our guests. We do a Jackson Brews Christmas party every year. We shut down the bar and eat a big meal, give everyone gifts for another year of service, drink, and party. It’s never been my thing, but I was excited about it this year. Now I’m not sure why. Did I think Molly and I would hang out tonight? That she’d change her tune and suddenly start looking at me like that?
Jason whispers something to Molly before heading toward the restroom.
“I’ll be right back,” I mutter to Carter. My brother sets his mouth in a thin line and tilts his head. His expression says, “Don’t do anything stupid,” but he’s wise enough not to say it out loud.
I’m not about to be the creep who follows a guy to the urinal, so I wait in the hall for Jason’s return. He lights up like a Christmas tree when he sees me, and meanwhile, it’s all I can do not to scowl. “Brayden!”
I take his outstretched hand and shake it hard. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
“Happy to, man. Happy to.”
I take a breath. This is awkward, but I’m not about to keep my mouth shut when I see the way he looks at Molly and I know how much she’s been drinking. “You met Molly?”
“Yeah. Christ, she’s fantastic, isn’t she? She’s going to be great over at the other facility. I just know it.”
Sure. Act like you’ve been feeling her out for business reasons. “I agree,” I say stiffly.
Jason tilts his head. “But you didn’t corner me back here because you wanted to talk to me about her work ethic,” he says. “You two are . . . involved?”
I cough. Shit. “No. Not at all. We’re . . . friends.” I might hate that word.
His shoulders sag. “Well, that’s good, because she can’t take her eyes off me.”
My hands flex into fists. “About that . . . She’s had a bad day.” I don’t have any idea what would have made her reach for the tequila tonight, but this isn’t normal behavior for her. Something’s wrong.
His eyes narrow. “Shit. What happened?”
I don’t know. She won’t talk to me. “It doesn’t matter. My point is that she’s not herself tonight. Don’t . . .” Don’t fucking touch her? Yeah, I’m pretty sure Molly would cut off my balls if I overstepped to that extreme. “If you two are going to start something, tonight might not be the time.”
Jason tucks his hands into his pockets. “I’ve never been a patient man.”
“She’s drunk.” My unspoken asshole hangs in the air between us. Jason’s not stupid. I’m sure he can see it in my eyes.
He smacks me on the shoulder. “I’m sure she appreciates you looking out for her. Like a big brother, right? No worries, Bray.”
Bray. I fucking hate that. Only douchebags who think their money entitles them to the world call me Bray. But there’s nothing else I can say. I warned him. I made my concern clear. Now all I can do is hope that he’ll listen or that Molly’s sobered up enough that she won’t make any decisions she’ll regret tomorrow.
When I return to the party, Molly and Jason are back at the bar, and she’s drinking—no, chugging—Jason’s beer. That’s the last thing she needs, but if I interfere, Jason will think I’m trying to come between them.