Pawliday Love

Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

CHELSEA

F our Months Ago

When Devon’s best friend, Brady, moved to town last month, Skyler fell head over heels. Which shocked everyone since we all thought that she and Devon were a couple. It turns out that they were pretending to be together to ward off unwanted advances that would come between their friendship. It’s the exact opposite of what I’ve been doing with Tony for almost a decade now.

More secrets came out when Skyler was attacked in my coffee shop while she was working alone one morning. Apparently, Tracey and Joey have both been harboring feelings for Devon the past three years and now that he’s openly single, they’re going for it. Tracey has barely left Devon’s side since Skyler was admitted to the hospital. But since she’s being released tomorrow, I’m sure Joey will be right there with them.

I’m trying to convince Tony to bartend for Skyler’s surprise welcome home party. He usually sends one of his employees for gigs like this, but I want him there to see how the kids react to our friendship before I take the step I’ve been avoiding for years.

“I’m footing the bill for the party because I feel responsible. She was attacked in my shop, by my nephew. I’ll pay double your usual catering fee if you come tomorrow,” I plead.

“Of course, I’ll be there,” Tony says. “But I’m not taking your money.”

“Thank you!” I throw myself into his arms and kiss him, relishing the way his shorter summer beard grazes my face.

“You know I’ll do anything for you.” His voice gets impossibly deeper. “It’s gonna be so damn hard to keep my hands off of you tomorrow.”

“Me too,” I admit.

Tony

The party is winding down and I don’t miss the way Devon’s dad follows Julie out like a lion on the hunt. Chelsea notices too and her shocked expression makes me laugh. If she thinks our age difference is worth talking about, theirs is downright scandalous since there’s at least twenty years between them.

“I guess you’re off the clock,” she says with a grin.

She’s been flirty all day, making it hard to keep myself in check.

“I haven’t been on any damn clock, and you know it, Hellsy. ” I wink as I pack up the half-full liquor bottles.

She rolls her eyes before telling Skyler that she’s heading out and turning back to me with her flirty smile. “Let’s go, bartender Tony. You can walk me to my car.”

I follow her out, watching her hips sway with more sass than I’ve ever seen outside the bedroom. As soon as I load the box into the back seat of her SUV and turn, she’s in my space, looking up at me with an expression that has me on the verge of outing out decade-long secret.

“Careful, Hellsy .” I raise my brow. “Wouldn’t want anyone to get any ideas about us.”

“Maybe I don’t care. If Tracey can be brave enough to be with two men and Devon’s dad can shamelessly chase a woman young enough to be his daughter…” Her words trail off with shrug.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I shove my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching for her until she says the words.

“Life is too short to live in the shadows.” She takes another step and reaches for my face. “I’ve loved you for years and instead of letting that love shine, I’ve hidden us away. I don’t deserve you, Tony. But if you still want this, I’m done hiding.”

“Fuck yes!” I wrap my arms around her. “I love you, too. I know I’ve never said it, but that’s only because I was scared you’d run away if I did.”

“I probably would have. I wasn’t ready to admit that losing you is my worst fear.” She lifts her chin, the invitation clear.

“You were never going to lose me.” I drop my head and kiss her like a starving man at a feast.