Arm Candy (Real Love #2)(66)

Davis Price, in his tall, lean, muscular glory. He’s clad in a charcoal suit, sharp red tie, and pressed white shirt. His hair is in disarray. His eyes are tired.

He’s too beautiful for words.

My heart stops beating as he moves toward me, but his eyes are on the man behind him. Vince Carson. I blink a few times to jar my brain. I didn’t notice Vince at first. At least he has the decency to wave rather than ignore me.

Vince points out one of the few open tables at the far end of the room—one that Lars is wiping down. Davis shakes his head. I can’t hear him but his head shake is clear. He doesn’t want to sit there. He gestures to my bar instead.

We’re packed to the walls tonight, but the couple in front of me just paid. Their glasses are empty. They move to vacate the stools—ironically the woman’s seat is Davis’s usual one—and I panic, my mind racing for a ploy to keep them here. Before I can offer them refills on the house, the man nods and offers a thank-you. The moment he and his lady friend start walking for the door, Davis slides into his seat.

Vince has the good sense to look apologetic as he climbs onto a stool and sits next to his friend.

“Hey, Gracie Lou.” Davis’s greeting is casual, but his words are coated in steel. “The usual for me. Vince?”

After a second of hesitation, Vince orders his usual draft.

I move like I’m running underwater. Every step feels bloated and sluggish. But then I’ve felt like that since I broke up with Davis. I thought I’d be over it by now—though being face to face with him makes me realize how foolish it was to believe I’d bounce back from what we had.

It was real. I know that now.

I’ve been thinking of that old adage lately. The one about how you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I had Davis.

I had his attention, his presence, and his love. And then I threw it all away.

I didn’t expect him to ever set foot in here again. Of the two of us, I was clearly the winner of McGreevy’s in the breakup. I figured I’d see Vince and Jackie eventually, and I readied myself with a few canned answers in case they asked how I was doing. I had a plan for randomly running into Davis at the park or in passing on the street. I truly never imagined he’d have the balls to show up here.

Every day since we split, I’ve come into work and been confronted by his empty seat. I’ve considered texting him. Imagined smoothing things over between us. I pulled out my phone several times to do just that, but I chickened out. I didn’t know what to say then. I definitely don’t know what to say now.

How stupid of me to believe he’d forgive my betrayal. I lied to myself when I thought it wasn’t as big as leaving him at the altar. It was different, but every bit as big. I took his trust, his love, and threw it in his face.

I wouldn’t forgive me if I were him.

I deliver the beers to Vince and Davis. I can do this. I can do my job. I open my mouth to ask if they need menus. The words turn sour on my tongue.

I’m overcome with the urge to ask Davis if he’s been eating. If he’s been sleeping. If he’s okay and if I can have another chance. Followed by Please, please, give me another chance.

Up until thirty seconds ago, I didn’t believe that was a possibility. Confusion reigned supreme whenever I thought of us and what our future looked like. Then things fell apart and I tried to accept what was. Now, looking at him, I’m no longer confused. My heart overflows with longing.

I know what I want. Is it too late?

“Carson ditched his girl for the night,” Davis tells me, his tone casual. He turns to punch Vince in the arm. “The cats will play!”

Vince emits an uncomfortable laugh, and his presence is literally the only thing keeping me from bursting into tears.

Davis is trying to behave as if he’s unaffected, but I know him. He’s affected. He’s also trying to get past this stage and move on with his life. That’s my fault.

One hundred million percent my fault.

“Honey, are you all right?” Candace asks when I turn toward the cash register facing the wall. I grip the counter’s edge and force myself to breathe in and out. I can’t look at Davis without knowing I made a tragic error.

“I’m fine.” I clear my throat. “Can you, um…take care of the two guys over there?”

Candace looks in the direction of my head tilt. “You mean your boyfriend?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” Regret, like shards of glass, pierces my chest.

“I’m sorry, doll. Things didn’t end well, then?”

I confirm with a choked “No.”

“I got it, sweets. Don’t worry about a thing.” Candace moves away and my vision blurs, tears filling my eyes.

Shit! I’m about to cry and he’s going to see me. I can’t allow it.

I slide past Candace and out from behind the bar, but not before I hear her tell Lars to “hold down the fort.” I’m aware of her on my heels as I dash for the office. Thankfully, Dax isn’t here tonight. I unlock the door and barely make it over the threshold before a sob pushes its way out of my throat.

“Oh, sweetie.” Candace rubs my back as I sink into the task chair at the desk. I drop my face in my hands and just…bawl.

There’s no other word for it.

“I-I don’t have makeup with me,” I say on a hoarse cry.