Free Wrapped in Lace by Prescott Lane Page B

Year’s Eve with Davis. I knew it was the latter, but that didn’t help the steam I saw coming out of Drew’s ears. He was about to blow a gasket. “Drew will be back in Raleigh by then,” I said, trying not to sound upset.
    Drew tilted his head slightly, his blue eyes studying me. “Piper has a thing with Davis that night, anyway.”
    This time I wasn’t the only one picking up on the tension or the sarcasm falling off his tongue. He hated the idea of me with Davis. “We should get going,” Matt said, kissing my cheek before shaking Drew’s hand.
    Sabrina hugged me tightly and whispered, “Sorry.” Then she hugged Drew, and I heard her whisper to him, “They’re just friends.”
    He gave her a slight nod, then they walked out, leaving Drew and I to stare at each other. “They’re great together,” I said, hoping for a nice, safe conversation.
    He reached out and took my waist. “So are we.”
    “You’re not mad, are you?” I asked, playing with his shirtsleeve.
    “I don’t like you going out with Davis. I don’t care what you call it,” Drew said. “But if you tell me you only think of him as a friend and there’s nothing physical going on, then I believe you.”
    I hadn’t expected him to be so mature about it. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but that wasn’t it. “Thank you.”
    “Don’t get me wrong. I’m jealous. I hate it, and if he touches you, I’ll punch his face in.”
    I started to laugh, thinking that was more the reaction I had anticipated. “Ok.”
    “Can we get out of here now?” Drew asked, leaning into my neck, his breath making my body turn into a ball of desire, want, and need.
    “Where do you want to go?” I whispered.
    His blue eyes gazed into mine, and I could see him trying to come up with an appropriate response. The fact was, we couldn’t go to my house or his Nana’s house. I was more than a little curious to see what he’d come up with.
    “Shit,” Rob yelled, throwing his phone down on the bar and disrupting us.
    Our moment was over, and a part of me was grateful. I wasn’t sure what my answer would’ve been. I took Drew’s hand and pulled him over to his parents as Rob was ranting. “Everything all right?” I asked.
    “The other bartender just bailed. I can’t leave Ellie and Jack at home alone on Christmas Eve. She’ll kill me.” Rob looked towards his father. “Dad?”
    Carl raised his hands. “Oh, no, not me. I put in my time. This is your responsibility now.”
    Gwyneth slapped her husband’s arm. “You’re really going to keep our son away from his pregnant wife and child on Christmas Eve?”
    Carl exhaled. “Rob, I covered for you two days ago and last Saturday and the Friday night before that. I’m supposed to be retired. I told you it was past time to hire some reliable help.”
    I hated for Rob to be away from Jack on Christmas Eve, and the Landons didn’t seem like they needed any more strife. “What if Drew and I cover the bar?” I asked.
    “What?” Drew cried out.
    “It’ll be fun.” I gave him the naughtiest smile I could muster.
    “You tend bar?” Rob asked. “You’re an art teacher.”
    I always hated being pigeonholed. I straightened my spine. “Try me?”
    “What’s in a Long Island Iced Tea?”
    “Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, Triple Sec, and lemon juice.” He’d have to do a whole lot better than that to stump me. I caught a glimpse of Drew out of the corner of my eye. He was smiling like a total fool, so proud of me. God, I was falling for him so hard.
    “A Screwdriver?”
    “Baby stuff, vodka and orange juice.”
    “We’ll do it,” Drew said. “I even know how to make a Lemon Drop.”
    *
    DREW
    I was grinning like a complete buffoon as I wiped down the bar. I always wanted to run this place, but I never imagined it would be so much fun. But then again, I bet Piper could make a root canal fun. She continued to surprise and captivate me. I stole a glance her way, watching as she busily counted our