“Cold soda and chips and salsa coming right out,” she told him before turning away. Just for the hell of it, she put a little extra sway in her hips, using her catwalk tricks, and she glanced over her shoulder just before she entered the kitchen. She was perversely pleased at the sight of his eyes on her ass.
Maybe it was because she was feeling fat. Maybe it was because she’d been in bed for what seemed like forever, or maybe it was because her body was in a constant state of arousal. Whatever the reason, the look of lust in his eyes gave a boost to her ego.
The bar soon got busy, and Alyssa brought Jackson his food, refilled his drink, and scurried around serving her other customers. She had to admit to herself that she was more tired than usual. It might have been a better idea to take the easier early shift, but her stubborn pride had made her want the night shift.
The tips were much better on the dinner shift, and she still needed to save—more than ever, in fact, now that she’d been off work almost three weeks. Jackson had paid her wages, which she’d tried to refuse, but they were nothing compared to her tips.
Still, she was grateful to see her bank account going back up, if slowly. She’d have had a whole heck of a lot more if her business manager hadn’t wiped her clean. No. She couldn’t dwell on that. It was a time in her life that was over. Done.
Yes, Camden was working on her case, but it didn’t look hopeful, not at all. It was impossible to get money out of someone who’d already spent it. Even if she managed to win the case, what good would it do?
The end of her shift was nearing when Camden walked through the doors.
“Alyssa, I was hoping to catch you,” he said, and he dropped a kiss on her cheek.
“It’s great to see you, Cam. Is something wrong?”
Maybe most clients didn’t have such a personal relationship with their lawyers, but Cam had been the one she’d sobbed her story to. He’d also been the one to give her a hug when she needed it, and he’d been the one fighting to get her something back.
She liked him. She was just disappointed that she didn’t like him like him. Even if she had, it would have been a lost cause. It was more than obvious that Cam wasn’t interested in any of the women in Sterling. Some woman had broken his heart and someday she might get the story out of him.
“No, nothing is wrong, Alyssa, and it could have waited until tomorrow, but I was out and thought I’d save a trip to town for you.”
“Well, I could definitely use a break,” she said. “Samantha, can you cover my tables for ten minutes?” she asked as her coworker walked past.
“No prob, Alyssa.” Samantha made a beeline to Jackson’s table to check on him first.
Alyssa watched her flirt with Jackson, and she felt a twinge of jealousy. There was no way she was going to fret over that. Turning away, she walked to the opposite end of the saloon and found a private table for her and Camden.
“We are finally making headway with Carl Avone. I told you I didn’t want to get your hopes up, that in most of these cases no money is ever found. But it appears that Mr. Avone has done this before. It also appears that he wasn’t as smart at hiding the money as he thought he was.”
“What does that mean?” Her heart was racing and she looked hopefully at Camden. If she could get even a piece of the money back, it would go a long way. If she got anything back, she swore she’d never be frivolous again. She’d earned a decent amount of money her last couple of years modeling. She’d spent a lot of it, too. But she’d had a good bit in savings when Carl stole it and ran.
“His bank accounts are frozen, and we are meeting next week with the other attorneys. There are several cases out against him. If things go well, you won’t get it all back, but we’re certainly looking at something,” he said apologetically.
“Anything would be great. You can’t imagine what a help it would be.” She was so happy, she rose from the table and moved over to him. He stood up just in time to accept her hug as she wrapped her arms tightly around him.
“Is this a private moment?”
The frozen fury in Jackson’s voice warned Alyssa that she’d better back off from his brother. The last thing she’d ever want to do was cause a fight between Jackson and Camden. At the same time, though, it was none of Jackson’s business who her friends were, and it certainly was none of his business if she wanted to hug one of them.
“Hi, Jackson. I was just sharing some good news with my client. Do you have a problem with that?” Cam asked, letting go of Alyssa and sitting back down. The man looked completely relaxed.
“I have a problem with the way you were pawing my girl,” Jackson said, his eyes slits.
“I am not your girl!” Alyssa interjected, incredulous that he’d be making a scene like this.
Jackson’s eyes left Cam and focused on her. “Yes, you are; of course you are.”
“Just because you say something is a fact doesn’t make it law, Jackson Whitman. As a matter of fact, I asked you specifically what you wanted, and you froze up and sputtered. You don’t even know what in the hell you want. I can tell you what you need, though—to learn some manners. That’s been abundantly clear as long as I’ve known you.” Alyssa then showed him her impeccable manners by kicking him hard in the shin.
Instead of feeling guilty, she took great pleasure in the way he flinched, and with a flip of her hair, she spun around and walked away from the overbearing thug. She’d never consent to be his girl if he had that kind of attitude.
Alyssa ignored Jackson for the rest of her shift. She didn’t listen in as he and Camden talked, tried not to glance over when she heard the two of them laughing, and refused to make eye contact when her shift ended and she walked past him to go to the back room.
The bully needed to think about his actions, and he really needed to think about how he was going to speak to her. Yes, he’d spoiled her for a few weeks, but she wouldn’t be bought. She also wouldn’t be with a man who was so insecure that his woman couldn’t speak to other men.
Okay, so they weren’t a couple, and maybe that made him unsure where he stood, but his alpha dog routine was a complete turnoff. He’d best learn it fast if he wanted even the smallest chance at having her go on a date with him. Money was important, of course, but it wasn’t what would ever lead her to fall in love with anyone. If Jackson thought the gifts he’d bought were a way to her heart, he’d been wasting his cash.