Page 19 of Micah

I remember sitting on my dorm room floor with the phone pressed to my ear, crying so hard I couldn't breathe.

He handled everything.

Paid what he could.

Worked double shifts.

Took out another loan.

Eventually, Patrick lost his own place trying to keep ours.

By the time Dad passed, there wasn't much left to save.

But Patrick manages to remind me of it every chance he gets.

“I kept this family afloat while you were off getting an education.”

“I sacrificed everything.”

“You wouldn't have this place if it wasn't for me.”

Maybe he's right.

Maybe I do owe him.

Which is why I let him become my partner when I opened The Watering Hole.

Even though he didn’t give me a cent.

Even though everything is in my name.

Even though the bank approved me for the loan.

Even though the business plan was mine.

I guess guilt has a funny way of making smart women do dumb things.

“Sloane!”

I close my eyes.

Count to three.

When I open them again, I smile.

“What now?”

“Where the hell is Milly?”

I glance at the clock.

Seven fifty-eight.

“Probably running late.”

“Again?”

“Probably.”