Free You're Still the One by Darcy Burke Page A

came up to the other side of the bar. “George, can you pull a pitcher of Longbow and a pitcher of Shaft?”
    â€œYou got it, Kelsey.” George nodded toward the door behind Hayden. “Looks like your buddies are here.” He waved toward them before going back to work.
    â€œSee you later, George,” Hayden said, turning on the stool to see his man-dates for this evening: Cameron and his two younger brothers, Luke and Jamie.
    Cam came forward, grinning, his familiar green eyes glinting with humor. “Well if it isn’t my favorite Frog.”
    Hayden turned to Luke and Jamie. “Glad you guys could join us.”
    Luke, the middle brother and two years younger than Cam and Hayden’s twenty-eight, rubbed his hand against his stubbled cheek. “Hey, I’m free every night this week. I haven’t been home for so long since I moved to Cali, and our mother is beside herself.” He lowered his voice. “She’s driving me nuts.”
    Hayden chuckled, feeling his pain since his own mother was simultaneously thrilled to have him home and upset that it was only temporary. “I’m sure she’s even more excited to see Jamie since he lives even farther away.”
    Jamie had been busy earning two master’s degrees from the London School of Economics over the past two years. He and Hayden had finally managed to get together for a long weekend in Paris this past spring.
    â€œDon’t you know it,” Jamie said. “So yeah, Luke and I are more than happy to go out every night this week. We could even spend a night in Portland—maybe relive some of the fun of our Paris trip.” He winked at Hayden.
    Hayden laughed. “That was an epic trip.” Two guys, Paris, good food, good drink, and a night at a dance club that Hayden could barely remember.
    Cam glared at them both, but it was clearly meant in jest. “You guys are pissing me off. Next time, I’m flying over. Come on, let’s grab a booth.” Cam led them to the corner with their favorite table.
    Hayden slid onto the seat next to Cam. They were barely situated when the server, Kelsey, came to the table and tossed four coasters onto the wood. “Welcome, guys. George tells me you’re regulars, and you”—she looked at Hayden—“are an Archer.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Hayden said. “And these jokers are soon to be Archers-by-marriage.”
    Cam laughed. “Sort of.” He looked at Kelsey. “Our half-brother is marrying Hayden’s sister this weekend.”
    â€œRight, that’s the big wedding that half the staff are going to.”
    Cam looked at Hayden in mock distress. “What, you didn’t invite the entire staff and shut the place down?”
    Hayden held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. I have nothing to do with it. I don’t even live here anymore. Besides, there’s no way we’d close the pub on a Saturday and lose all that wine-tasting traffic, let alone the people going to and from the beach.” Ribbon Ridge was a popular destination, or stop-in point, for weekend travelers from Portland and beyond.
    Kelsey laughed as she tucked a lock of wavy brown hair behind her ear. “It’s fine. I’m new to town, and I don’t know very many people. It wouldn’t make sense for me to come to your sister’s wedding.”
    Hayden arched a brow at Cam and gave him a look that said, see?
    Cam exhaled. “All right, but is it my fault if I’d like to include an attractive young woman on the guest list?” He winked at Kelsey, who only chuckled.
    â€œAren’t you the smooth talker? I’ve seen you in here a couple times,” she said. “Now I know to steer clear.”
    Everyone but Cam laughed. “Ouch,” Luke said. He looked at Kelsey. “Don’t judge us by our brother’s obnoxiousness. He’s never met a pretty face he hasn’t flirted