Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(43)
The song died on the wind and he blinked as the trees stilled. Change came to his town as the Brotherhood had predicted a year ago. Toby Williams stepped back inside Merlyn's Bar, locking the door behind him. With a soft sigh, he resumed his activity of cleaning the counter, but dread and curiosity brewed in his stomach.
Would the Brotherhood call on him again?
****
Jacqueline was drunk and didn't give a damn. Merlyn’s Bar invited those like her. Those wanting to forget their nightmarish lives and unwind. So what if she was being loud and obnoxious? She leaned forward, resting her head on her palm. Angela laughed, her face brightening as they discussed pointless matters that made no sense. As Jacqueline Huston, she could do whatever the hell she pleased. At least when she was drinking.
“And another thing,” she said to Angela, who was equally drunk. “I think that stupid Bella should have picked the wolf. I mean, come on. Why would you pick a dead guy for a boyfriend?”
“He is pretty damn sexy,” Angela lisped, tossing her head back as if she’d heard a funny joke. “So sexy. Guys that sexy should be illegal.” A dramatic hand flew to her heart.
“Edward is a whiner,” Jacqueline said and sipped her wine. “Whine, whine, whine all the time.”
She tapped her empty red plastic cup on the bar for emphasis.
“Speaking of wine.” Jacqueline leaned over the bar and shouted at the bartender. “Hey, Toby, I need some more wine down here. Bring me the good stuff. You know the kind out of a box.”
Both women cracked up, laughing hysterically. But Jacqueline noticed Toby sauntering toward them. Cool and collected, something she envied about him. In the year that she'd been frequenting Merlyn's Bar, she'd yet to see him let a situation get out of hand. Any attempt at a bar fight Toby nipped in the bud before the first punch. He exuded power, a sexy trait Jacqueline admired.
Not that she thought of him in that way. She'd only been widowed a year. Still, sometimes when she was drinking, odd little thoughts would come to her, sparking her imagination and looking at him never hurt.
“You yelled?” Toby leaned against the wall of the bar, his arms crossed as he gave them both the once-over.
“Yes. Could we please have another glass of your best Chardonnay?” Angela asked. Smiling at the bartender, she tossed her long red hair and attempted a coy wink that somehow made her look like she was having a brain seizure.
Jacqueline covered her mouth, stifling the laugh.
“I think you two have had enough. Who is driving home?” Toby asked oblivious to her flirtations as his eyes fell on Jacqueline.
“I'm cabbing it.” Angela grinned. “I'm not stupid enough to drink and drive. Again.”
“Okay. One more glass for you.” Toby said without averting his eyes from Jacqueline. His blue eyes sparkled just a little bit, and their intensity flushed her face. “What about you?”
Removing her hand, her giggle died in her throat. “I'm walking. It's not like I live that far.”
“Hmm… I think you mean staggering. I doubt you can do a regular walk at this point.” No emotion flickered across his features or leaked through his tone.
“Aw… c'mon, Toby. Be a sport. Just one more glass of wine?” Jacqueline forged her best smile. “Please?”
“Does that tactic usually work for you?” Toby asked, shifting the weight in his legs and relaxing his arms.
“What tactic?” She batted her eyes in mock innocence as she toyed with a strand of her blonde hair. Cut in a pixie bob, the maneuver didn't come off as cool as Angela's hair tosses did.
He leaned over the bar and her breath held, aching in her chest. “The one where you attempt to look like a simpering virgin?”
“Oh shit. I wasn't going for virgin. Just cheap slut.” A hand flew to her mouth again as a fresh burn heated her cheeks.
Toby grinned, making Jacqueline’s heartbeat faster. Getting Toby Williams to smile or laugh was no easy feat. She'd tried enough times to know, but tonight his icy resolve cracked.
“All right. A small glass. Sip it slow,” Toby warned, pinching his fingers together. He produced a wine bottle from the fridge behind the bar and poured them each a drink. “You are both cut off after this one, though. It's almost closing time.”
“Yes, sir.” Angela saluted.
“What she said.” Jacqueline also saluted. As Toby moved away, she slanted toward Angela. “Isn't he cute?”
“Toby?” Her brows scrunched together.
“No. Freakin' Attila the Hun. Yeah, Toby. Have you ever noticed what a great butt he has?” Among other features but Jacqueline didn’t want to appear eager.
Angela leaned over the bar to get a better look. “I guess it's all right if you like guys with beards and mustaches. That's never been my thing.”
“Maybe you've never had a beard and mustache touch you in the right place.” Jacqueline winked.
“Jackie!”
Both women giggled.
“Seriously, you don't think there's something totally sexy about that guy, Angela?” Her tone softened as she eyed Toby. He glanced in her direction, and she quickly averted her eyes.
“Well, if you like big muscles and tight black T-shirts that show off ripped abs, then yes, I think there is some definite hotness going on with Toby. I prefer my latest boyfriend, though. He's the strong, silent type with amazing skills in the bedroom.” Angela sipped her drink. “Toby's too quiet for me. He's a thinker. And he likes women with big boobs.” She glanced at her breasts and then over at her friend's ample chest. “You're probably his type, Jackie.”