So, while she sat and waited, she drank. A lot more than usual. In fact, she hadn’t had this much to drink in, well, in years. But today she’d turned Declan away and he’d let her. She wasn’t sure what she’d wanted him to do, but walking away wasn’t it. Which was nuts. He was a poison. The kind who pulled her into the hell of her mother’s world. Wanting a man who would never find you more important than his work. And of course, that was the case with Declan. It took a certain breed to be an attorney. To think he would or could be different from the rest would be nuts. For a little window of time, she’d tried to convince herself the opposite was true. Just thinking about her stupidity made her take another long draw off her straw. She should stop drinking. Her head felt light. She took another sip, not caring. Wanting to forget.
This thing with her father cheating with Ray’s wife had slapped her with the cold, hard reality that happily-ever-after was a fairy tale. The world was a big, dirty game and the easiest way to deal seemed to keep the play in perspective. She’d lost that with Declan and that meant she had to distance herself. If she didn’t, he would hurt her, and
in a big way. Already, she felt the tequila seemed to dull the knot in her chest, at least a little.
“Sorry, I’m late.”
Zoe turned to find Mike looking his normal handsome self, tie loosened, shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbows. “I expected it. After all, nothing’s more important than work. I know the way it goes. Got it. No problem.” She took another really long drink.
Mike gave her a probing look as he adjusted the barstool next to her so it angled toward her seat. He flagged the bartender. “How many have you had, little sis?”
“Not enough.” She shoved her glass away. “Order me another.” Impatient, she flagged the bartender who didn’t see her. She slapped the bar. “Damn. Just like a man to be so distracted.” The man turned. “Over here. Drinks please.”
The bartender, Joe, as he’d told her one drink back, smiled at her. He’d been flirting. She was okay with that. Not that it would get him anywhere, but she was pretty sure he’d made her drinks stronger than he might have otherwise. That counted for something. Tonight she wanted strong.
When Joe appeared before Mike and slid a napkin on the mahogany bar, Mike kept his gaze on Zoe. “What are you waiting on?” she asked, frowning. “Order.” She looked at Joe and patted the bar. “He wants a beer. Whatever you have on tap that’s light.” She realized her oversight. “Oh. Joe.” She motioned to Mike. “This is my brother Mike. Mike meet Joe. He’s the best margarita maker in all of Manhattan. Aren’t you, Joe?”
Joe laughed. “If the lady says so, then it’s true. Light beer on tap then?”
Mike gave him a nod.
Zoe eyed Joe. He was a sexy guy, her new bartender. He had long brown hair tied at the back in a ponytail. A square jaw. Deep blue eyes, but not as blue as Declan’s. He had eyes that would melt a woman in the middle of a snowstorm. Damn. Declan. God. Why would the man not get out of her head? Maybe she should take Joe home and fuck Declan out of her system. She sighed. She didn’t want Joe. She didn’t. Declan had ruined her. She wanted him.
It was an emotional thought. “I’m empty, Joe.” She scooted her glass toward him. “I like the salt. Can I get more salt?”
“Anything you want, Zoe. More salt and a beer on tap coming up.”
With Joe’s departure, Zoe lingered on Declan. He was the type of man a woman should never fall for. It just so happened, her oldest brother fit the same formula. “So, Mike,” Zoe said. “You’re a good-looking guy with lots of money.”
He chuckled. “And you’re an attractive woman with lots of money.”
“Ah,” she said, holding up a finger. “But there’s a difference between you and me.” The bartender set her drink in front of her. “Thank you. You’re fast, Joe. Not a good trait in the bedroom but a damn good one for the bar.”
“Zoe!” Mike barked his disapproval.
“What?” she asked, eyeing him with a sideways look. “It’s true, Mike. We’re brother and sister. No secrets. It’s okay, to be frank.” He cursed and reached for his beer, a deep frown on his handsome face. Zoe laughed. “Give Joe a big tip with all that cash you have. You’re good at buying happiness.” She looked at Joe. “He’s loaded.”
“All righty then,” Mike said, reaching in his pocket and obeying. A moment later he tilted back his beer and took a long slug.