Chapter Fourteen
Honey and Melanie strode through the door at Nudies just as a group of other folks, all pushy and annoying, came in behind them. One of the more aggressive women had such strong perfume that it almost made Honey’s nostrils feel like they were under an acid attack. Yuck.
Since the blasted butterflies in her stomach suddenly decided to flutter all at once when she heard Luke’s voice singing one of her favorites, she had enough to deal with. She didn’t need the overwhelming, headache-inducing stench to add to her discomfort. Shaking off the affliction, she pretended all was well.
Hurrying to distance herself, she noticed Jess approach and wave them to a table near the stage. Motioning for them to follow, he signaled the two fellows already sitting there to leave and wiped it down especially for her and Melanie. Because the place was hopping, it took them a few moments to get close, and in the meantime, the people that had pushed in behind them shoved their way past and grabbed the chairs before Jess could stop them.
Watching poor Jess trying to deal with this sudden dilemma, Honey caught his eye and motioned for him to let it go. They would find places at the bar. She didn’t particularly want to be within such close proximity to Luke anyway.
She’d felt his eyes on her from the time they’d walked in, and it had become very important to her for him not to get the wrong impression as to why she’d shown up. Certainly, it wasn’t to follow him in any way, and he needed to know that.
If, for some strange reason, he commented on their appearance, she’d mention her best friend needing backup after the night before. Maybe he already knew about Jess and Mel’s meltdown, and if not, Mel had strict instructions from her to inform those interested that she’d dragged Honey here using her BFF status as an excuse.
Once Jess and Linda cleared away a couple of seats at the bar by asking favored customers to make room, Honey caught Linda’s wink and returned the gesture with a wave.
Then she watched Melanie settle herself on the stool and take time to gaze around, pretending she hadn’t just sent a gleaming smile so wide at Jess that he flushed and dipped his head.
Talking loudly, Mel leaned toward Honey. “It’s twice as busy tonight, and I thought yesterday was nuts.” In a louder voice, she added, “Jess smiled at me. He’s bringing us drinks so say something nice.”
Honey watched the spiffed-up bartender carry their margaritas carefully as if he hadn’t served millions in his time working there. She guessed these were important to him. Bowing toward the man, she said, “Thanks, Jess. This is great. It’s pretty crazy in here tonight, isn’t it?”
His expression thanked her for her support, and he smiled shyly before saying, “Luke hates the birthday fuss, but everyone loves a reason to party. He’s thirty-five today.”
“Have they sang happy birthday to their superstar yet?” Honey’s droll question went right over his head.
Instead, a proud expression settled. “He swore if they did, he’d quit.” Jess laughed then, appearing more relaxed. He finally looked toward Melanie. “Hi.”
“Hi, Jess. Thanks for inviting us here tonight.”
“I… ahh, wanted to see you. Ahh… to apologize—”
Melanie interrupted. “Don’t. Please. It’s my fault. Let’s start over, okay?”
“Yeah. Good. I… ahh, need to get back to work, but I’ll get a break soon.”
“Nice. I’ll be here.”
“Yeah. Right. Okay. Call me if you need something else.” The lanky man backed away, tripping over another bartender, then quickly righted himself before heading to the next customer waiting to be served.
Melanie leaned toward Honey with a secret grin. “Isn’t he adorable?”
Honey grinned in reply. “Yep. He kinda is. And certainly not the type I’d expect you to fall for. You two are the total opposite.”
“Guess it’s true then that opposites attract.” Melanie snorted at Honey’s sour stare and soon they were both laughing.
Mel poked at Honey. “That woman bartender is waving you over to the end of the bar. Is there a problem?”
“No. She’s the one I told you about, the hairdresser. She might have information for me about some of the groups who’ve been here a long time. Remember. I told you about our conversation. Be right back.”
Honey followed Linda to a small room behind the bar and was thrilled when Linda hugged her hello in the same way as she’d done before Honey had left the hairdressing salon.
“Hi, Honey. Glad you could make it tonight. Look, I don’t have much time, but I asked some of the other employees about the information you wanted. Here’s a few names of guys who’ve been around for more than twenty years. They were the ones who might have been in trouble back then. It’s a small list, I know. But like I told you before, a lot of people have moved on.”
Honey read the list of three names and asked, “These are the ones playing at Nudies at this time, right?”
“Yes. Why? Did you want names of past employees because there’d be a lot more.”
“You know what. I don’t think so. The detective said the killer worked at a bar on Broadway not that he used to. I’m taking that to mean only one thing.”
“Right. That he’s here now.” Linda clutched Honey’s arm. “Look, I gotta get back to work, but I’ll keep asking around. Leave me your email address in case I need to contact you.”
“Will do. And thanks for doing this. I really appreciate it, Linda.”
“Hey. No problem. Us women have to look out for one another in this crazy world.” Linda patted Honey’s face before slipping out and holding the door for Honey to follow.
But before she could, Luke appeared and stepped in front of her blocking the way. “I need to talk to Honey, Linda.”
Linda melted; her face lit with smiles. “Sure thing, Luke.”
Before Honey could add in her two cents, basically muttering, “I don’t want to talk to you,” Linda closed them inside.
“What?” Honey’s fists clenched and her aggressive demeanor showed up. What didn’t disappear were those fucking butterflies now having the time of their lives. It became impossible to breathe properly. She hated being under this kind of pressure.
On the attack, she blurted a ridiculous comment. “What could you possibly have to say to me after you showed me what a-a weenie you were last night?”
Luke’s snort covered a chuckle. “That’s why I wanted to talk with you. Look, about last night, I couldn’t let you call the police because I need to keep a low profile, stay off their radar.”
“You mean because they kicked you out of the FBI for selling drugs?”
“Fuck. How did you find out about that?”
Unwilling to say that she’d Googled him, she shrugged. “It’s common knowledge. I read the papers.”
“It’s not true. The story. It’s bullshit.”
“Oh, sure. You’re innocent. I remember your ‘no comment’ when the reporters tracked you down. What was it you said to that one guy? Right – that you were framed, and yet no one believed it then either.” If her voice hadn’t wobbled with sudden concern, he might have thought it didn’t matter to her. But the unexpected emotional reaction caught his attention. He stared into her face, his eyes searching hers until she was lost.
His head bent slowly toward hers and she didn’t move… couldn’t move. “I am innocent.” Then like a drop of butter sizzling on a hot pan, she was lost, waiting for his lips to capture hers.
When she felt the pressure of his hot mouth taking hers with such a force of desire, her knees weakened, and her body ignited. Reaching for him to steady herself, she met his lips with the same kind of hunger he revealed.
Until sanity punched it’s way in and caught her in its grip. What the fuck are you doing, girl? Getting in line to be his next groupie? Give your head a shake and stop this madness.
Yanking herself from his hold, she pushed her way to the door and ran.