Nice Until Proven Naughty

He opens his mouth to respond when Maryanne pops her head between us. “Sorry to interrupt. Ben, I need to steal you for a few minutes. There’s a reporter from the newspaper, and she wants to take pictures of all of the guys.”

“Sure, no problem. I’ll be right there.” He waits for Maryanne to leave before turning to me with a deep sigh. “We keep getting interrupted.”

“It’s okay. Duty calls. Go.”

Ben touches my arm, his eyes holding mine for a beat before he walks away.

“You okay?” Sam walks over and leans a hip on the bar.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because the man you're in love with is going to a black-tie Christmas party with another woman?”

“Just because they’re going together doesn’t mean they’re going to be together.”

“I know that. But do you?”

“I just said it, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but it sounded more like you were trying to convince yourself.”

“Maybe because I am,” I say, finally giving in with a pout.

Naughty laughs and slings an arm around my shoulders. “Maybe some really old woman bought him. Someone not even remotely attractive.”

“I hope you’re right, because it’s going to kill me if I have to work the bar the whole night and watch him out on the dance floor with some Barbie lookalike.”

“Have a little faith. That’s not going to happen.”

“Excuse me, can you point me toward the restroom?”

Sam and I turn to look at the lovely woman standing on the opposite side of the bar. Platinum blond hair cut into a short bob that appears to be tapered in the back. She has a fresh look, with subtle pink undertones to her makeup and a big plush sweater she’s paired with skinny jeans.

“Yeah,” I point toward the billiard room. “Through there.”

She turns and frowns as she sees how many people she has to wade through to get there. “I think I’ll hold it.”

I nod and Sam laughs. “Good idea.”

The woman pulls out a barstool and plops down. “Might as well have a drink. Do you have red wine?”

“Sure, what kind?” I ask.

“Surprise me. I’m not picky.”

I grab a bottle of my favorite merlot and pour her a glass. She takes it, swirls the liquid around, and takes a sip. “Mmm. I needed this.”

“Are you from around here?” Sam says, asking the question that was just rolling through my head. “I’ve never seen you before.”

“I’m new in town.”

“Welcome,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m Dani, and this is my sister, Sam.”

“My name is Lesley.” She shakes my hand as well as Sam’s. “It’s nice to meet you both. I take it you work here?”

Sam hooks a thumb in my direction. “She owns the place.”

“Wow, that’s awesome.”