He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Oh, I wouldn't let that bother you. That's a problem I can live with."
* * *
Eva called the airline from the car to cancel her ticket, banking the credit for when she finally did return to California. Then she called Marianne and explained the situation and asked her to cancel the Vancouver flight and the hotel.
"I hope this is because you're getting laid," Marianne said. "Because I really miss you. But it's worth it if you're getting good sex."
"You have no idea how lucky you are that I don't have you on speaker right now," Eva said, making her friend laugh like a loon.
She shook her head, then told Marianne she'd see her in two weeks. After that, she'd have to get back, as she had some wedding shoots and a Sweet Sixteen party on the books.
"There, wasn't that easy?" Tyree asked.
"For you. You're not rearranging your life. And it just occurred to me that I'm now homeless. I gave up my room at the Driskill."
"I'm sure they'd be happy to book you another. But I do have an alternate solution."
"I am not staying at your house. So just forget it."
"As tempting as you are, that wasn't the solution."
"Oh." It was, she knew, stupid to be disappointed. "What, then?"
"Elena said to tell you that the apartment she's watching is a two bedroom."
"Look at you two. Quite the schemers."
He shook his head. "I had nothing to do with living arrangements. I just have a vested interest in keeping you here."
"Yeah? Why?" She was playing with fire, but she couldn't help herself. Despite having her plans completely explode, she was having an exceptionally good day.
"Why? Because I want you here."
"Oh." She felt the tug of her smile. "Well, that's a reason."
He reached over and squeezed her hand quickly. Then, when he started to pull it back, she held on. She saw him glance down, and she just shrugged. For a second, she thought he'd pull away. But then he relaxed, and they rode in silence the rest of the way to The Fix.
"Why are we here?" she asked as he pulled into the single space in the alley. "I assumed you'd be taking me to Elena's."
"Just one quick stop here, if that's okay. We've got a staff meeting this morning, and since Elena's on staff now, I thought I'd introduce you around."
"Uh-huh. In other words, you and our daughter have some other scheme in your pocket and this is where you spring it on me?"
"Also a valid possibility," he said, looking so contrite that she actually giggled. "Fine. I admit I'm curious." She waited until he'd killed the engine, then climbed out of the car. He opened the thick metal back door and led her into the bar. As soon as they reached the main rooms, she paused to soak it all in.
This was, she realized, the first time she'd had a good look around. Her first time here, she'd been too nervous to see anything going in, and too pissed to pay attention to anything going out.
Now, she had to admit she liked what she saw. It was fun, but cozy. A traditional bar, but different. It looked like the kind of place where regulars gathered. It looked like a place that felt like home.
"It's great," she said. "You really did it. Your own place. Food. Drink. Just like you always said you wanted."
She saw the pride in his eyes as he nodded. "I love this place. It's been damn good to me. And I'm doing everything I can to not lose it."
"Elena told me some of that," she admitted.
"And now we're hoping to tell you a little more. Come on."
They moved to a front alcove by the window where a small group, including Elena, already sat. She'd met Brent during her earlier visit, but Tyree introduced the other two--who were clearly a couple--as Reece and Jenna.