Even more discouraged, I close up and head over to The Knight Cap to check out how Ronan’s night is going. Of course the band is on point and the crowd is going wild. I spot Tori over by the bar, chatting it up with Ronan. Every once in a while, she throws her head back and laughs at something he says.

Tori is a stunning, perfect woman. She’s camera ready and a successful entrepreneur who travels the world. She’s smart, savvy, and gorgeous. Yes, she has a high-profile athlete boyfriend, but there have been some rumors lately about trouble in paradise, and Ronan is a professional flirt. It might be harmless, but I’m a little sensitive after the way my night has gone.

Lars appears beside me from out of nowhere and hands me a shot. “You gotta stop trying to kill her with your laser beam stare.”

“Huh?”

“Tori. You look like you want to destroy her. He’s not flirting. He’s just chatting and really fucking oblivious.” Lars is smirking.

“I know he’s not flirting.” I toss back the shot.

“Your chill is at zero, though. I mean, I know you two got it bad for each other, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m mentally preparing myself to go over and say hello without also saying or doing something stupid. I want to tell Lars his comedian friend sucked, but I figure I’m in too much of a mood not to be a total jerk about it, so I decide to save that for later.

Lars snorts and hands me a cocktail. I don’t know where he’s keeping the cocktails, or the shots, but I’m not about to say no to them. “Whatever you say, Blaire. Give him a few more minutes before you go over there and stake your claim. I know you’re together and stuff, but he wouldn’t sabotage you, so you should extend the same courtesy.”

“I wouldn’t sabotage Ronan!” I say, indignant.

“Not intentionally, but you’ve got that look in your eye, like you want to catfight her. And I think it’s human nature to protect what’s yours.”

“That’s rather insightful. Although, I’ve never actually been in a fight, and I don’t want to get into one with the person who has the potential to help put mine or Ronan’s business on the map.”

“I don’t mean that you’d actually fight her. I think you’re more likely to do or say something that could mess up your chances when you’re feeling this territorial, so it’s best you just hang with me until she moves on.” He drapes his arm over my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “He’s going home with you, and that’s really the only thing that should matter.”

Tori doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to move on, and I’m tired and prickly, so I decide home is a better option than spreading my bad mood to Ronan when he’s clearly riding the high tonight.

“I’m going to head out.”

“You want me to give Ronan a message?”

“That’s okay. I’ll text him that I’ll see him tomorrow.”

“You all right to drive?”

“I just had that one shot, and like three sips of this.” I pass him my mostly full cocktail.

“You’re sure you want to leave?”

“He needs his focus to be where it is, and I don’t want to be the clingy girlfriend.”

I leave out the front door instead of going through the bar and using the service entrance, mostly so Ronan doesn’t see me. I get what Daphne was saying when I first started sleeping with my competition and how it would complicate things. She wasn’t wrong. I don’t want him to lose, but I also want to win. It’s a weird spot to be in, and right now I could really use the positive press to help bolster business.

I shoot Ronan a message when I get home, letting him know I stopped by, but that he and Tori were talking and I didn’t want to interrupt, so I’ll see him tomorrow. I throw in a couple of kissy-face emojis to make it seem upbeat and not like I’m a jealous girlfriend, or mopey, when in reality I’m both.

I change into a comfy sleep shirt, get my dress ready for tomorrow, and decide I’ve had enough of today. I brush my teeth, grab a glass of water, and climb into bed. I’ve just turned off the light when my phone buzzes, not with a message, but a call, from Ronan.

I debate letting it go to voicemail, but I decide that would be a jerk move. It’s not Ronan’s fault that my last act wasn’t great and his band was. Or that he’s ridiculously attractive and charming and women go gaga over him. Myself included.

I accept the call. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself. You took off without saying good-bye. I thought I was coming back to your place.” There’s no accusation in his voice, just a hint of disappointment.

“You were busy with Tori, and I didn’t want to interrupt.”

He’s silent for a moment. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just tired after a long day.” It’s more of an omission than a lie.

“Is this you uninviting me over tonight?” And now there’s hurt to go with the disappointment.

I should give myself the night, especially with my mood, but I’m feeling selfish and needy. “Of course not, I always love having you in my bed. I’ll leave the door unlocked so you can let yourself in.”

“I’ll be there in fifteen.”

I’m still staring at the ceiling, no longer quite as exhausted as I was when I slid between the sheets. I know I’m going to be tired tomorrow as a result, but my brain is too busy to settle.

When the door to my bedroom creaks open I flick on the lamp beside my bed and whisper “Hi.”

“Hey, yourself.” I watch as Ronan strips down to his boxer briefs, warmth spreading through my limbs as any residual tiredness fades away, replaced with want. As soon as he joins me in bed, I pull his mouth to mine and lose myself in him.

Half an hour later I’m tucked into his side, my head resting on his shoulder, fingertips tracing the tree limbs that climb his shoulder and morph into birds taking flight. It’s a gorgeous, intricate tattoo.

“The band was great tonight,” I say softly.

“They were. I was impressed. How was the rest of comedy night?” He’d stopped in during the first act, when everyone was laughing their heads off.

“Started great, fizzled out at the end.”

“Oh no, I’m sorry, babe.” He presses his lips to my forehead and tips my chin up. “What happened?”

“The last act was a dud. I should have cut it at two when Betty canceled, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give someone new a chance. I think Tori being there unnerved the guy and he just kind of shit the bed.”

“Maybe it’s not as bad as you think.”

“It is. Or was. It’s okay. I’m glad your night went well, though.”

“Me, too, but I don’t like that yours didn’t.” His sincerity makes me feel conflicted. I want him to succeed, but I want my own success, as well.

“It would’ve been nice to make a better impression on Tori. I could really use some positive press and more customers.”

“Your place was packed tonight.”

“It was, but you know how quiet it’s been when we don’t have cohosted events. I don’t want to cut Callie’s hours more, but if things keep going this way, I might have to.”