Read Online Boots and Lace by Myla Jackson - Free Book Online Page A

all.”
    “Ever considered that not all men are as stupid and duplicitous as your ex?”
    “That might be true, but I don’t plan on letting one close enough to test the theory.”
    “You could be missing the love of your life, your perfect match, like I found in Jackson.”
    The dreamy look in Audrey’s eyes made Lacey want to gag. “I’m not worried. The perfect match for me doesn’t exist.” Lacey left the storeroom with a knot in her gut and feeling the urge to run as far and fast as she could.
    Unfortunately, there was a barroom full of thirsty cowboys and she couldn’t leave Audrey in the lurch. Not after all her boss had done for her. So she squared her shoulders and threw herself into the work of waiting tables, flipping bottles and putting on a sassy show for the patrons of the Ugly Stick.
    If her gaze strayed toward the entrance a little too often, she chalked it up to sizing up the crowd for future drink orders. She refused to admit she was looking for Nick to step through the door.
    After ten o’clock rolled around, she’d given up on Nick. A busy mechanic with a business to run and early morning hours didn’t go out drinking every night of the week.
    A stab of disappointment hit Lacey low in the belly.
    I won’t call so don’t wait by the phone. I’m not interested in a relationship. Nick’s words echoed in Lacey’s head. Exactly her sentiments before they’d started.
    Now…
    “Thinking about me, beautiful?” Warm hands slipped around her waist and pulled her against a wall of hard muscle.
    Lacey’s body flushed with the heated memories the voice inspired and she turned with a smile on her face, happier than she should have been. “N— Oh, Cory.”
    She tried, but couldn’t keep the smile. It faded with her fleeting burst of happy anticipation.
    Cory laughed. “If I was a bettin’ man, I’d bet you were hoping for Nick.” He hugged her. “Sorry, but he didn’t ride with me. He was still working at the garage when I dropped off his dinner an hour ago.”
    “Don’t be silly,” Lacey lied. “I’m very happy to see you.” She hooked his elbow with hers and led him to a stool at the bar. “Let me buy you a drink.”
    “I haven’t stopped thinking about you after last night.”
    “Oh, really?” She’d stopped thinking about Cory as soon as she’d left their apartment early that morning. Nick had been the one to keep her awake into the wee hours. She turned away from the younger McBride. Don’t go there, Lacey. Remember, no obsessing over a man.
    Before she could step behind the safety of the bar, Cory grabbed her hand. “Did you say something?” 
    “No, I didn’t.” Her cheeks heated with her second lie of the night. Lacey tugged her arm free of Cory’s grip and slipped behind the bar, keeping her face lowered so telltale signs of her lie weren’t obvious. “What will you have?”
    “A shot of whiskey, make it a double.” Cory’s voice sounded deeper, more like his brother Nick’s.
    Her hand on the bottle of whiskey, Lacey frowned. “Isn’t that a bit strong for a college—” She glanced up, into Nick McBride’s dark gaze. The whiskey bottle slipped from her fingers.
    As soon as it left her hand, Lacey dove to catch it, a graceless save that cost her a broken fingernail and a mini heart attack. “Oh, hi, Nick. When did you get here?”
    “Just did.” He’d changed out of the coverall he’d worn earlier that day when he’d stopped by her apartment. Jeans, neatly pressed chambray shirt and cowboy boots made him look almost sexier than when he’d stood naked in front of her. Hell, she’d had a thing for hot cowboys ever since she’d gone to work for Audrey at the Ugly Stick. And this one was caliente !
    Lacey’s heart hammered against her ribs. “Well, that’s nice.” Her hand shook as she poured a double shot of whiskey and slid it across the counter toward Nick.
    When he reached for it, their fingers touched and something like a spark of