Hopelessly Romantic (Heartwarming and humorous romance!) by Barbara Freethy

Author:Barbara Freethy [Freethy, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fog City Publishing, LLC

Chapter Thirteen

Kaia Mercer and a brown-haired man Liam didn't recognize slid onto stools at his end of the bar at Maverick's.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you serving drinks, Liam," Kaia said with a smile.

"Just picking up some shifts until I get my store going. What can I get you?"

"Vodka tonic for me. This is my brother, Ben Mercer. He's visiting from LA, soon to be moving here permanently."

"Nice to meet you. Liam Nash."

"You, too," Ben replied. "My sister seems to know everyone in this town."

"Not everyone, just the right people," Kaia said with a laugh. "Like bartenders who will give us a nice pour."

He smiled. "You got it. What are you drinking, Ben?"

"I'll take a Jameson neat."

"Got it." As he prepared their drinks, he said, "So you're moving here, Ben?"

"I'm working on a transfer. I'm a police officer."

He handed Ben his whiskey. "I'm moving here, too. It's a great city."

"I think it will be a nice change of pace," Ben said. "Although, I will be living very close to my sister, so there's that."

Kaia jabbed her brother in the side. "Not funny, Ben. You'd be lucky to live close to me."

"That hurt," Ben complained with a mock grimace.

"You're the one who taught me how to give it back to someone," she said with a laugh.

"Are you older or younger?" Liam asked Ben as he handed Kaia her drink.

"Oh, my God," Kaia said in mock horror. "How can you even ask that? Isn't it clear he's older?"

"Sorry," he said with a smile. "I didn't want to assume anything."

"I'm older by two years," Ben said. "Although sometimes it feels more like a hundred." He slid off the stool. "I'm going to find the restroom."

"Down the hall to your right," Liam said, surprised to see a gleam of worry in Kaia's gaze as it followed her brother through the bar. "You okay?" he asked.

"Oh, yes," she said, turning back to him. "I'm just hoping my brother makes the move here. He's had a rough year. I want him to be happy. Anyway…are you going to live at Ocean Shores after Brad and Serena come back? There are at least two empty apartments right now. It would be great to have you in the building."

"I'm strongly considering it. I can't make any final decisions until I close this deal."

"Is there a chance that won't happen?"

"There are a few complications, but I'm working on it."

"Good." She gave him a curious look. "I know it's none of my business, but is there something going on with you and Ava?"

"You're right; it's none of your business," he said pointedly, knowing that Kaia was the kind of person he could be direct with.

"I'm going to take that as a yes," she said with a gleam in her eyes.

"That's not what I said."

"Well, I kind of picked up on a vibe between the two of you the other night. But she's not staying in Oceanside, is she?"

"That’s not her plan."

"Plans can change."

"I don't think Ava changes her plans once she makes them.

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