Page 85 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

I shook off the feeling and finished checking on my customers. Behind me, Willa was still sitting at the bar.

I’d miss catching glimpses of her long blond hair as I worked. I’d miss having her at the bar every night, talking to me about nothing. I’d miss having her in my arms at night, chasing away the loneliness that I’d lived with for so long.

But it was right to let her go. Eventually. She deserved a guy who could love her like she deserved.

Willa must have felt my eyes on her because she looked over her shoulder and smiled. Then she turned back around to the guy at her side.

The guy smiled at her and scooted his stool a little too close to my girlfriend.

I scowled at his back, hoping he felt my glare, but he just kept on talking to Willa.

She nodded as he spoke. She didn’t move farther away. She let him bump her shoulder with his.

A jealous haze coated my vision as they laughed over something he said.

Why was she laughing with him? She was supposed to be here for me tonight, not to flirt with some random tourist. Had they been like that all night?

I’d been too busy to pay them much attention. And Hazel had been between them for most of the night. Had they just been biding their time until she’d left them alone?

My jaw clenched tight as I cleared off a table. With two empty beer bottles in my hand, I went back around the bar and threw them, hard, into the trash can. They shattered instantly.

Willa jumped, startled by the noise. She looked at me, worried, but the guy next to her said something else and stole her attention. She laughed with him again. She gave him her smile.

Fuck this day.

Things had gone downhill since french toast, starting with my meeting with Thea.

I knew eventually she’d suggest we bring in some extra help. But this had been our place for years. Just her, me and Hazel. Bringing in someone new was a change I didn’t want to make, even though I would.

I’d already been irritated by the time Mom walked through the door. Now Willa was laughing with this guy.

When we parted ways, she’d probably end up with his type. He wore nice jeans and a starched shirt with sleeves worn down to the wrists. His hair was styled and he probably paid someone to trim it every two weeks. He had an Audi keychain and a gold money clip.

I’d never owned or would ever own a fucking money clip.

Fuck this day, I was done.

“Last call!” I shouted.

The crew around the pool table all grumbled, so did Will

a’s newest fan, but I ignored them all. The angry glares I sent around the room were enough to have people downing their drinks, dropping a few bucks for a tip and heading out into the dark night. The tourist at Willa’s side was the last to slither out, but eventually he left after a longing glance at Willa.

Asshole.

“Did you drive down or walk?” I asked Willa once the place was empty.

“I drove.”

“Good.” I nodded. “Grab your stuff. I’ll walk you out.”

“What?” she asked. “Don’t you want some help cleaning?”

I shook my head. “No. I need some space tonight. You go home. I’ll catch you later. Tomorrow or something.”

I ushered her to the door, like I’d done with my mother. Except my touch was gentle and light on her elbow rather than the firm grip I’d had on Mom.

Damn it. Had I hurt Mom? What if I’d left a mark? I’d never lost my temper with a woman like that before, and shitty mother or not, I wasn’t that guy.