Page 163 of Small Town, Big Storm

Eyes cold, he deliberately shifts away from her touch.“No, thanks.”

Paige’s mouth drops open.“I?—”

Clarke turns back to Gertie.“Can I watch that again?”

Gertie looks at Paige.Then at Clarke.And I half expect her matchmaking urges to be in full effect.But she just holds up her phone, taps at the screen, and plays the video of my daughter bossing Gerald into spitting out Storm’s ice cream for the umpteenth time.

Paige stands by the bar for one more uncomfortable second.

Then, cheeks flaring bright red, she stomps from the bar.

“I really don’t like that one,” Storm whispers.

“Me neither,” I whisper back.

And it’s not just because she didn’t pay her tab.

“Yo, Pop!”Tommy calls.“Quit canoodling and bring me a refill!”

“She can canoodle all she wants, Tommy!”Gertie snaps.

I chuckle but intercede before things get too out of control.“I’ve got you!”

“See?”Tommy glares.“She’s got me.”

Gertie sniffs but then Blossom comes up to the bar.“Can you top me up when you a chance, Pop?”

“I’ve got it,” Storm says.

“Thanks, honey,” I murmur.

“I’ll get my payment later,” he says softly.

Heat in my belly.Pink on my cheeks.“I think it’s time formypayment.”

He grins.

Then gets to work on refilling the glass of soda water and pulling a lager for Roger (because he’ll want a refill too), delivering them before heading into the back to grab another keg.

I make Blossom’s drink, but when she starts to tell me to put it on her tab, Clarke interjects?—

“I’ve got it.”

Blossom bristles, her eyes narrowing.“You think I can’t buy my own drink?”

“I think,” he says, his eyes narrowing right back.“IthinkI was just trying to be nice.”

“Oh yeah?”A smirk.“Then why didn’t you buy Paige a drink when she so clearly wanted you to?”

“BecausePaigeisn’t my type.”

“Oh?And I am?”

“Yup,” he says.“Because you don’t have your tits out, right along with your hand, silently asking me for my wallet.”

I choke on my laughter and turn away to take another order.

But I don’t miss that Gertie’s taking in every word.