Out of the Ashes

The bartender is cute, and I may have a crush on him.

But it’s not like I’m going to do anything because I have David, my son, to worry about

Which is fine until my ex-husband walks in with a younger and thinner girl on his arm. Then I grab on to the bartender with both hands and introduce him as my boyfriend.

This is a small town and word spreads. What was supposed to be one night becomes a fake relationship to keep up the ruse.

Catching feelings, though? That can’t happen.

The former star quarterback is home, and I’ve caught his eye.

You’d think I would be happy. Most girls would. But he didn’t even know I existed back then, and I don’t see why I should give him the time of day now.

I’ve gone out of my way to avoid him when he comes into the bar, which worked until he applied for a job.

Now, I’m stuck with him. Not only because we work together, but he’s also my ride to work after I fell off a ladder and he offers to help.

He seems like he’s changed, except he doesn’t know what his next step is. Who knows if he’s going to stay for good.

The only problem…the more time we spend together, the harder it is to keep my attraction to him at bay.

My best friend’s brother, Devin, is the reason I high-tailed it out of Asheville.

Now, I’m back because this place feels like home and I’m ready to put down roots. Even if everything at Out of the Ashes has changed since I last worked here.

I have every intention of avoiding Devin this time around. Not only because it would never work, but because we hid our relationship from his sister. A guilt I still carry with me.

The only problem…he’s performing at the bar every weekend, and he wants to pick up where things left off.

Bartending on the weekends to support my kids is working out great. But keeping my heart guarded against my boss, who’s younger than me…not an easy task.

Working at Out of the Ashes is supposed to be temporary. Long enough to save up some money for my kids’ sports, and then we can move out of my dad’s house. And I'm not about to ask my ex-husband for help, even if we have a great co-parenting relationship.

My boss, Eric, has made it no secret he’s attracted to me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the tension sizzle between us. But with two teens to raise, two jobs, and figuring out what I’m doing with my life…now is not the time to jump into a relationship.

Each day that goes by, his charm becomes harder and harder to resist. When he intervenes in what could have been a dangerous situation, I let my guard down the tiniest fraction. And I liked it.

However, it can’t go further than that. There's enough on mine and my kids' plates as is. Could we make room for my sexy as sin boss?