"Have you heard from Ian at all?" I asked Hannah while adding the ingredients to her favorite drink into a shaker.

"No. Not since yesterday. Why?"

My heart stopped beating for a second, and then the next thing I felt was a funny feeling roaming through my stomach—an instant feeling that something wasn't right.

I stopped shaking the margarita concoction, set the shaker on top of the bar top, and feeling nervous as can be, I looked her in the eye. "I've been texting Ian all day, and he hasn't responded to any of my messages. He hasn't even called, which is so unlike him. He always calls me the moment I awake in the morning, and he always responds to my messages."

"I wouldn't worry if I were you. Ian probably ran into an issue with one of his business properties and is doing what he does best without getting you involved, and that's blowing up on whoever screwed it up."

I shook my head, not believing her reasoning, firmly believing that's not the case. My heart and mind are telling me something is wrong.

"You're wrong, Hannah." I raised my hand to my chest, patting it as I spoke. "This is telling me something has gone wrong. I feel it, and I know it. And as much as I'd like not to think or feel this way, I do. And it's all because of the bad luck I've experienced throughout the years. When my gut tells me something is wrong, it's usually always right."

Hannah's brows drew to one. "What do you think has happened?"

I shrugged a shoulder. Unsure of what could be wrong. "I have no clue. All I know is what I feel."

Hannah lifted her phone and said, "I'll tell you what. I'll call Ian until he answers while you finish making my drink?"

"I don't think he'll answer, but okay?"

As I finished making Hannah's drink, she repeatedly called her brother's phone. I also did what I could to be near Hannah the entire time; that way, if Ian answered, I could listen in on her conversation with him.

It's like the old saying goes; good timing is invisible, and bad timing sticks out like a mile. And I say that because the moment I heard Hannah ask Ian why he's been ignoring his phone, a large rowdy group of people entered the building, immediately demanding my attention.

Of course, that's my luck.

Now, I'm dying to know what Hannah and Ian are discussing. And I'm more than curious to hear why he's been ignoring me all day.

Ian better have a good explanation for his absenteeism, too.

So, as I made the twenty shots of Bazooka Joes the birthday group ordered, I couldn't help wandering my eyes over to Hannah, with me also blocking out the party-goers, hoping to see or hear what she's saying to him. But that didn't work out as I had hoped, either.

The bar area was loud, and Hannah left the room, taking her drink.

Moments later, another large group entered the establishment. And they were testing my patience level.

Not only am I annoyed. I'm pissed.

On top of serving two large birthday parties and a full house before they arrived, I'm by myself. Hannah disappeared, and my mind and nerves are on the verge of exploding.

"Smile. You're too pretty of a woman to serve these guests with a frown on your face." A familiar voice said beside me.

Relieved to hear his voice, I snapped my head Jason's way and stretched my mouth into a semi-smile. "It's been a bad day," I started saying, then extended my hand out, waving it from one side of the bar to the other side, "and I wasn't expecting all of this tonight. Especially since I'm working by myself tonight."

"That's why I'm here," Jason smiled. "I was walking by, saw all the people, and came in to see if you needed help." He looked around me. "Where's Hannah? Usually, she's here to help when needed."

"On the phone with Ian."

"Yo! Are you two working, or is this joint a self-serve place?"

Jason rested his hand on my shoulder with a smirk that made me smile. "I'll handle him while you take care of the others."

Hannah never showed her face the entire time Jason, and I served the thirsty patrons, which worried me.

What if something terrible happened to Ian, and he's in the hospital?

God, I hope that's not the case.

Once the bar died down and everyone who needed drinks was served, I walked over to Jason as he handed a patron his glass, asking, "Do you mind watching the bar for a few minutes while I go find and talk to Hannah?"

He looked at me and winked. "Of course."

A sigh of relief exited my lips. "Thank you. I'll make it quick. I promise."

"Take all the time you need," Jason kindly said.

I spun on my heel and then walked towards Ian's office as fast as possible. Since the door to Ian's office was open just a hair, I slowly pushed it open, then popped my head in the room to see if Hannah was inside.

Seeing Hannah was at Ian's desk, off the phone, and on his laptop, I entered. I felt nervous about asking what she talked to Ian about, but I asked anyway. "Where's Ian, and what's his excuse for why he had me feeling worried all day?"

Her eyes slowly rolled up to mine, causing my heart to beat faster. The look in her eye was not one I'm used to seeing, and a look that told me my intuitions were most likely correct. "Ian asked that I apologize to you for causing you to worry. He had a long and rough night after dealing with some issues, and once he got home, he fell asleep." She leaned back in the chair, folding her hands against her chest, sighing. "He was extremely pissed that I woke him up from his sleep. The only reason he answered was because of how I was calling him. He thought something was wrong up here and with you."

"What issues was he dealing with?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"I have no idea. But whatever Ian was dealing with, he mentioned that it's been all taken care of and that everything is now fine."

Bullshit.

I'm not stupid. I can see it on Hannah's face that Ian told her what he was dealing with and that I'm not supposed to know.

"Ian asked that you not tell me anything, didn't he?"

Avoiding the question, she sat forward, then looked at the laptop, going back to whatever she was doing before my interrupting her, saying, "Whatever happened, I'm sure he'll fill you in."

My father's face flashed before my eyes, and it caused my heart to sink into the pit of my stomach. "It has to do with my father, doesn't it?" I snapped. "My father couldn't hack it anymore, and as he always does, he checked himself out to go get his fix. I'm right, aren't I?"

Hannah's eyes quickly flickered up to mine. "Tawny, trust me. I can assure you, that's not the case."

As suspected—she knows Ian's deal.

Since I can see where this conversation is going, and Hannah isn't going to enlighten me any further, I'm going to head back out to the bar without saying another word. I know myself well. If I were to start an argument with Hannah, the one person who befriended me the moment I stepped foot onto this property, I'm going to regret those choices of words I'd like to say.

So, I left, closing the door harder than I had liked to have done.

I didn't just close it; I slammed it.

Hopefully, Hannah isn't pissed that I slammed the door the way I did. But she must know how frustrated and angry I am that I know she's hiding something from me.

As the night went on, I found myself eyeing the front door every chance I got, hoping to see Ian come in. And of course, I kept checking my phone to see if he messaged me as well, and since neither happened, I made myself an after-work drink—a very stiff Captain Morgan and Coke after my shift was over.

Hannah never showed her face the rest of the night, which made me believe she avoided me for being upset with her.

"I'll walk you home," Jason said, nudging me as I sucked up every last drop in my glass. "God only knows if something bad were to happen to you, and Ian found out I was the last person to see you leave this place; he'd come unglued. Next, I'd find myself six feet under."

"Thanks for the offer. But right now? I couldn't care less what Ian thinks," I hissed, setting my glass inside the sink. "If he cared, he would have messaged me to see how I was doing and to let me know that he's okay. Especially after Hannah talked to him and mentioned how worried I was that I hadn't heard from him."

Jason's arm draped over my shoulder, pulled me tight against him, and said, "Cheer up. Ian's being Ian. So don't let what he did today get to you. Knowing Ian, I'm sure there's a good explanation. And I'm almost positive he'll enlighten you when you see him next. Come on. I'll make sure you get back to your place safe," he urged, trying to guide me to the door.

"Fine," I breathed, feeling defeated—Jason's right. If any of those men who were in the bar tonight trying to flirt with me the entire night and came on to me as I walked home, Ian would have Jason's balls—if he still wants me as his girlfriend, that is.

There's no doubt about that.

While Jason walked me home, I couldn't stop thinking about Ian and what his problem was. But I also felt that the problem Ian was dealing with had everything to do with my father.

My gut tells me.

My mind tells me.

And my heart tells me.

And by Hannah acting and responding to my questioning the way she did, I'm almost positive that means he's no longer where he should be. And that's at the treatment center.

"Thanks for walking me home," I said as we stopped in front of my trailer.

Jason nudged my chin and winked. "Anytime. I'd rather see you get home safe than hear you screaming for help. Now that I know you're home and that Ian won't kill me, I need you to do me a favor."

"What's that?"

"Keep your chin up, and continue smiling that beautiful smile we all know you have. And no fake smiling either," he added after I smiled.

I can't help it. These last few years haven't been the greatest for me, and once I finally land a guy who has given me all the attention I've desperately needed, he ignores me.

Not to mention I can't help worrying about the other man in my life—wondering if he's out using again.

"Sorry. It's just that I can't smile tonight. Not until I hear from Ian."

His lips curved upward. "You will. Now do me another favor, and get some rest."

I sighed. "I'll try."

"Thank's. Well, I better get some sleep myself; you have a good night."

I headed straight to the fridge, looking for something to wash down the alcohol that was still lingering inside my mouth, grabbed a bottle of water, then sat on my couch and stared at all the figurines I made out of clay. But the one I stared at the longest was the one I made of Ian.

That helped make me smile.

It also made me giggle after remembering how I talked Ian into allowing me to make a sculpture of him. And the only way he'd do it is if I'd let him choose the pose for me to sculpt.

Ian, of course, chose to pose naked, all while flexing every possible muscle he has, including the gospel-pipe.

My eyes insisted on closing, but my mind was also insisting they stay open. And the biggest reason I refused to fall asleep was that I didn't want to miss hearing from Ian if he were to call or send me a message saying good night, or even an I love and miss you text.

Instead, my eyes won the fight, and I ended up falling asleep on the couch, anyway.

I'm not sure how long I had been asleep, but something ended up disturbing the dream I happened to be enjoying, and my eyes quickly opened. But by seeing what that was, I didn't care. And it's because the man I was dreaming about, who I was desperately missing, yet who I was extremely upset with, was here. And I was awoken by him lifting and sliding himself underneath me. Then he snuggled me on top of him, and as I stared into his eyes, he calmly and quietly said, "Shh. Don't scream. It's only me."

He knows me so well. Because at first, I thought someone had broken into my trailer to harm me. I was also ready to scream at the top of my lungs, but when I opened my eyes and saw that it was Ian, I relaxed, and my entire body melted at the beautiful sight.

Ian then tightened his hold around me and whispered, "I'm not going anywhere. Go back to sleep, beautiful."

I didn't want to go back to sleep.

I have so many questions I want to ask Ian. I was also very anxious to hear his response. But how he's holding me and driving over three hours in the middle of the night to be here with me had me feeling content and relaxed that I lowered my head onto his chest. And then, without saying a word, I fell asleep.

***

Waking up in Ian's arms was soul-stirring. Especially since this was the last thing I expected to awake to after the way yesterday went, my talk with Hannah, and how it was Jason who walked me home and not Ian.

Now it makes me wonder if Jason knew Ian was on his way to see me. Because the one thing I know about Jason is that he never goes into the bar on his day off, and he came in, anyway. Jason also stayed and helped me throughout the night, no questions asked. Then, the entire night, he kept insisting that I cheer up and saying how everything would be all right. He also kept asking me to smile and to keep my chin up.

Jason also wouldn't take no for an answer on walking me home. Saying that if Ian found out, he allowed me to walk home alone at that time of night, he would kill him if something terrible were to happen to me.

Jason knew...

I wanted to look at the man who I never expected to steal my heart and lifted my head. And as I rested my chin on Ian's chest and locked eyes with his stunningly beautiful emerald green eyes, my heart instantly melted into one giant puddle.

"Good morning, sugar lips," Ian said lowly and with a smile that tickled my belly.

"Good morning," I responded, smiling.

God, he's a sight for sore eyes.

"Did you sleep well?"

"I did," I happily hummed.

Ian's hand quickly slid up my back and to the back of my head, cupping it and pulling me closer to his face. Then he gently pressed his lips to mine before saying, "Good, that makes me happy to hear. My goal was to make sure my girl awoke with a smile and not a frown."

Ian's lips met back with mine—kissing me with such a passion that had my toes curling. His fervent kiss also told me he missed me and was sorry.

I broke the kiss, smiled, then slowly swiped his bottom lip with my thumb until his lips wrapped around it and sucked it into his warm, wet mouth. As much as I wanted to frown after what he put me through the day before, I couldn't.

At first, I thought it was all a dream of Ian sneaking into my home in the middle of the night. But after seeing his ridiculously handsome face and his warm smile smiling back at mine, there's no way I can frown.

Not at this moment. But now I need to know what happened that caused Ian to ignore me all day. And I'm overly curious to hear his response. So, I propped my elbow on his chest and rested my chin on the palm of my hand. Then raised a brow and asked, "Why else are you here?"

Ian stared me in the eye while running his fingers through my hair. "Why do you think I'm here?"

"I don't know. That's why I asked you."

The one corner of his lip raised high. "I'm here because of you. I missed hearing your voice and seeing my girl's beautiful face."

"If you missed me so much as you say you did. Then why did you ignore me all day?" I asked in a scolding tone. "I messaged and called you; I don't know how many times. And not once did you answer your phone, message, or call me back. I took that as a hint you were done with me."

"That wasn't intentional, and I'm not done with you. Nor do I ever plan to be. I love you."

Ian says he loves me, but the question is, does he love me enough to tell me the truth?

"You say you love me. But when someone so claims that they're in love with them, as you say, you are with me. Then that person would never put the one they love in a position as you did to me yesterday. I had so many scenarios running through my mind of what could have happened that I couldn't concentrate on what I was supposed to be doing. You had me worried all day and night, Ian."

A long heavy sigh exited his lips, along with a look I'd never seen him express before, sadness. "I'm sorry, Hun. Please believe me when I say this. But I didn't mean to worry you, and I hate myself for causing you to be worried as much as you were. It's that I ran into some issues, and I ended up running all over the damn town trying to fix those problems. Then, when I finally got home, I immediately crashed on the couch after being up all night and day. I never once meant to ignore you."

Ian's beating around the bush—avoiding what I'd like to know.

He must have noticed the disappointment in my eyes because he flipped us over with him, securing me beneath him.

He looked me in the eye. "I need you to trust me, Tawny. I wasn't out doing anything I shouldn't have been doing. And I wasn't out prowling around, out to hurt you, or anything else terrible, you may have thought. And I'll repeat it; I never intended to ignore you. I was focused on something else that needed my attention. Major attention, that is."

Ugh...

I couldn't look at him anymore and rolled my head towards the coffee table, staring over it and at the other paintings Ian asked that give him for his museum. Stronger than ever, I now feel my gut was right. It's about my father.

Ian cupped my chin, then guided my face back his way.

Before he upset me more, I said, "I need you to get off me so I can get ready for work. Unlike you, I care about not upsetting the people in my life. And the last thing I want to do is to piss off my boss."

"You have the day off today."

With my brows drawing to one, I snapped. "I don't have the day off. My shift starts in less than an hour."

Ian's mouth curved into a mischievous smile. "No, it doesn't. I know your schedule. And today, you have the day off."

"Since when?" I asked, feeling confused.

"Since Hannah called me last night, bitching at me like I was some ignorant teenager needing an ass-reaming. I mentioned how I needed you for the day and that she was to cover your shift. So, my sweet sugar lips, why don't you go dress comfortably? I've got an entire fun-filled day planned for us. Including talking to you about what I was doing yesterday."

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!!🤞🤞