She sipped at her drink, which had suddenly appeared before her. “You must have been pretty busy.”

“It was hard work, but worth it. Each of the facilities is doing well now.”

“I like what you’ve done with the garage in Hope. It caters to a full clientele. You can meet the needs of every resident in town, whether they need a tire rotation or a full transmission replacement.”

Carter stared at her in awe. She could tell she’d nailed it in one pretty good tag line. “I like that. I might use it for advertising purposes.”

She laughed. “That’s what I do. Summarize what a company has to offer. I could probably help you out. Do you do commercials?”

“I’ve tried to do a couple, but they haven’t been very successful.”

“It’s likely that you’re not hitting your target market. You’re either not creating the right advertising, or you’re advertising at the wrong place, wrong time.”

“That’s possible. I should have you take a look at what we’ve tried out before. Maybe you can give me some advice.”

“Sure.”

“So tell me what you’ve been doing.”

“A lot of marketing for various companies. I’m kind of a jack-of-all-trades. I can advise on marketing plans, create marketing programs, as well as execute them. I can develop advertising, and create a budget for sales and marketing. I’ve also worked in business management, streamlining systems, from accounting to human resources.”

“That’s a pretty rich portfolio.”

“It’s a lot of on-the-job experience. I started out in sales departments of small companies and learned from some very good people. Then I contributed ideas along the way, and figured out I was pretty good at it. I’ve been like a sponge over the years.”

“Best way to learn a job, in my opinion. We bring on a lot of apprentices in our shops. They tend to be focused and eager to learn.”

Molly nodded. “I agree. I was a damn fine student of the craft.”

He laughed and raised his glass. “And look at you now.”

She clinked glasses with him, then set hers down, kind of gingerly.

“So, do you have a girlfriend?” she asked, then realized that had just fallen out of her mouth.

Damn alcohol.

She could tell her question had shocked him, because he stared at her for a few seconds before answering, “Uh, no.”

“Dating anyone?”

“No. Are you?”

She shook her head. “We should have another drink.”

“Sure.”

This was a new side to Molly. She seemed . . . relaxed, likely due to the alcohol. Carter wasn’t going to question it, though, because he was enjoying not having to be on guard, and more importantly, her not being on guard, either. He liked talking to her, getting to know her again.

He signaled Bash for another round, realizing he’d have to get them both a ride home tonight. But it was worth it to spend this time with her.

“So what do you do for fun when you’re not busy being the king of auto repair?” she asked, grabbing the fresh drink and taking a long swallow.

“I play basketball with the guys. I go to movies. I hang out here at the bar and shoot pool. I go out now and then.”

“Dating, you mean.”

“Sometimes.”

“And what kind of women do you like to go out with?”

“Are you interviewing me, Molly?”

She laughed. “Not really. Why, does it sound like an interrogation?”

“Kind of.”

“Sorry. I’m just . . . interested.”

“I’m happy to tell you anything you want to know about me.” They were face-to-face on the barstools, her left knee wedged in between his. He wondered, if she hadn’t had four of those drinks, if she’d let herself get this close to him.

“Now tell me what you do for fun,” he said, taking the chance to scoot in closer. He waited for her to pull back. She didn’t.

“I like to read, and I love old movies. I like music, which made the job I had in Austin kind of perfect for me.”

“Would you have stayed?”

She tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Emma said you moved around a lot, job-wise. Town-wise.”

“Oh. I don’t know. Maybe. I liked Delia, and I liked the job. It’s hard to say. I get bored easily.”

Her hair had come loose from her ponytail, and he took a strand, sifting it through his fingers. Again, he waited for her to balk, but she didn’t, her gaze focusing on his face. On his mouth, making him want to lean in and kiss her.

What would she do then? He wished they were alone, so he could take that chance, but as skittish as Molly was around him, he didn’t think a public place like the bar would be the right place to attempt it.

Then again, she was still looking at him with invitation in her eyes, so what the hell.

He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers.

Chapter 14

SUCH A FOOLISH, stupid thing to do, but Molly had been staring at Carter’s mouth all night. And if he didn’t kiss her soon she was going to grab him by the shirt, haul him off the barstool, and assault him.

But then he leaned in and she held her breath as his mouth touched hers.

It was like a lightning strike, a first kiss like no other, and she’d had plenty of first kisses. In fact, Carter had been her very first kiss, when she was fifteen years old. But this was a new first kiss, and it tasted like whiskey and heaven and she wished they weren’t in a crowded bar because she wanted him to kiss her harder, to feel his body pressed up against hers. She felt his restraint as she reached out to hold on to his arms, felt the steely strength of his muscles there, and suddenly, more than anything else, she wanted the chance to explore the differences between the boy he’d been and the man he was now.

When Carter cupped his hand on the side of her neck, she forgot all about where they were and leaned into him. She gave a soft whimper as she felt his arm around her waist, tugging her against the rock-hard feel of his body.

Yes, definitely a man’s body now. And she wanted so much more.

Until Bash cleared his throat.

In a kiss-induced haze, she drifted away from the delicious taste of Carter’s mouth.

Carter looked over at Bash.

“You two should get a room.”