This thing with her father cheating with Ray’s wife had slapped her with the cold, hard reality that happily-ever-after was a fairy tale. The world was a big, dirty game and the easiest way to deal seemed to keep the play in perspective. She’d lost that with Declan and that meant she had to distance herself. If she didn’t, he would hurt her, and
in a big way. Already, she felt the tequila seemed to dull the knot in her chest, at least a little.
“Sorry, I’m late.”
Zoe turned to find Mike looking his normal handsome self, tie loosened, shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbows. “I expected it. After all, nothing’s more important than work. I know the way it goes. Got it. No problem.” She took another really long drink.
Mike gave her a probing look as he adjusted the barstool next to her so it angled toward her seat. He flagged the bartender. “How many have you had, little sis?”
“Not enough.” She shoved her glass away. “Order me another.” Impatient, she flagged the bartender who didn’t see her. She slapped the bar. “Damn. Just like a man to be so distracted.” The man turned. “Over here. Drinks please.”
The bartender, Joe, as he’d told her one drink back, smiled at her. He’d been flirting. She was okay with that. Not that it would get him anywhere, but she was pretty sure he’d made her drinks stronger than he might have otherwise. That counted for something. Tonight she wanted strong.
When Joe appeared before Mike and slid a napkin on the mahogany bar, Mike kept his gaze on Zoe. “What are you waiting on?” she asked, frowning. “Order.” She looked at Joe and patted the bar. “He wants a beer. Whatever you have on tap that’s light.” She realized her oversight. “Oh. Joe.” She motioned to Mike. “This is my brother Mike. Mike meet Joe. He’s the best margarita maker in all of Manhattan. Aren’t you, Joe?”
Joe laughed. “If the lady says so, then it’s true. Light beer on tap then?”
Mike gave him a nod.
Zoe eyed Joe. He was a sexy guy, her new bartender. He had long brown hair tied at the back in a ponytail. A square jaw. Deep blue eyes, but not as blue as Declan’s. He had eyes that would melt a woman in the middle of a snowstorm. Damn. Declan. God. Why would the man not get out of her head? Maybe she should take Joe home and fuck Declan out of her system. She sighed. She didn’t want Joe. She didn’t. Declan had ruined her. She wanted him.
It was an emotional thought. “I’m empty, Joe.” She scooted her glass toward him. “I like the salt. Can I get more salt?”
“Anything you want, Zoe. More salt and a beer on tap coming up.”
With Joe’s departure, Zoe lingered on Declan. He was the type of man a woman should never fall for. It just so happened, her oldest brother fit the same formula. “So, Mike,” Zoe said. “You’re a good-looking guy with lots of money.”
He chuckled. “And you’re an attractive woman with lots of money.”
“Ah,” she said, holding up a finger. “But there’s a difference between you and me.” The bartender set her drink in front of her. “Thank you. You’re fast, Joe. Not a good trait in the bedroom but a damn good one for the bar.”
“Zoe!” Mike barked his disapproval.
“What?” she asked, eyeing him with a sideways look. “It’s true, Mike. We’re brother and sister. No secrets. It’s okay, to be frank.” He cursed and reached for his beer, a deep frown on his handsome face. Zoe laughed. “Give Joe a big tip with all that cash you have. You’re good at buying happiness.” She looked at Joe. “He’s loaded.”
“All righty then,” Mike said, reaching in his pocket and obeying. A moment later he tilted back his beer and took a long slug.
“As I was saying,” Zoe said, running a finger over her salt-rimmed glass and sucking it off. “The difference in you and me—”
“Is that I’m a man and you’re a woman?”
“Ha ha.” She crinkled her nose. “You’re so funny.” Pause. “Not.” He grinned.
Zoe pinched the dimple. “See? Isn’t smiling better than all that frowning?” He shook his head as if he was at a loss for words. Whatever. She pointed a finger at her temple. “You and I think differently. I hate the way people want me for my money.”
Her brows dipped and he laughed again. Short. Without humor. “You think I want to be wanted for my money. Where the hell did you get a crazy idea like that?”
Her hands fluttered in the air. “Oh come on, Mike.” There was a “give-me-a-break” tone to her voice. “You offer a woman no more than a good fuck.” She touched his arm and added with concern, “I hope it’s good.” She paused for a sip of her straw and to give Mike time to lift his jaw off the bar. “Then you give her a nice gift here and there. I know how smart you are, Mikey, and you know damn well they aren’t sticking around for love.”
He grabbed her arm. “Will you keep your voice down?”
She giggled, something she couldn’t remember doing in a very long time, nor could she help herself. It felt rather good. She giggled some more. “Sorry, Mikey.” In mock distress, she said, “Don’t mean to embarrass the big, bad businessman.”
“Okay,” Mike said. “You’re cut off.”
He reached for her glass and she grabbed it. “No, I am not. This is New York. It’s not like I’m driving or something. There is no walking while drunk law.” She held up another finger. “Not that I’m drunk. I am merely feeling…feeling good.”
“It’s called public intoxication and it is a law.”
She waved him off with a hard flick of her wrist. “Whatever. Let’s just get down to business. That is why you’re here, right?” she asked. “Business? It’s always business. Let me make it simple for you so you can get on with your all-consuming life. The charges were dropped. I know. It’s tomorrow’s front page.” Then, in a sarcastic tone. “So nice of you to inform me after I already know.”
He drew a deep breath. “Zoe, I know I haven’t handled this well.”
“Whatever you say, Mike. I don’t care anymore. I’m done thinking about it.”
Silence.
“I handled this wrong, Zoe. I regret it.”
She didn’t want his apology. Dad had done that too many times over the years. When he’d missed a school function. Hell, when he’d been late to her high school graduation and missed her walk across the stage. Sorry meant nothing. “Not just you. Rick. Dad. None of you.”
“I know.” He hesitated and ran a hand through his hair. “I do know. I wanted to spare you as much as I could. Finding out Ray stole from Dad was a blow to all of us. I’d hoped it might not even be true.”
“Ray acted out of pain, Mike. Daddy screwed his wife. Yes. He screwed Clara. The man has no heart. It’s all about his needs. His desires. His everything. Who knows? Maybe Mom knew. Maybe it went back that far, this affair. Maybe that’s what did her heart in.”