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tequila.
    Damn. I liked this bitch. I poured another shot and put it out of her reach as I lit a Marlboro. “I’m a regular here.”
    “I get that.” Lisa eyed my smokes.
    “Want one?”
    She shook her head. “I quit a decade ago. I miss it only when I’m out drinking.”
    “I’ve never managed to quit for more than a day. Never wanted to.” My gaze caught on the two jabbering women on the other side of the booth, barely pausing to stop for breath, except to wrinkle their noses when cigarette smoke wafted in their direction.  
    The brunette aimed a brittle smile at me. “Isn’t smoking illegal in all bars and restaurants in South Dakota?”
    “Probably. But Fat Bob’s patrons make their own rules. You really think if the cops show up here they’ll be arresting people for smoking violations?” I laughed and blew smoke rings at her until she broke eye contact.
    Reena dropped off a round. Blended margaritas for the chatterboxes—who the fuck ordered a frozen frou-frou drink in a joint like this? The guys, spread around the pool table, drank beer. Reena left us with two bottles of Coors Light.
    “What’s your story?” I asked Lisa.
    “I’m a medical records administrator for a physicians group. Jeff”—she pointed to her date—“is a pharmaceutical sales rep. I’ve been divorced long enough that I was starting to miss having a man in my life. Jeff asked me out. I said no...Until I didn’t. This is our third date.”
    “Will there be a fourth?”
    Lisa shrugged. “He’s nice enough. But he’s another one of those ‘love me; love my friends’ kind of guys. Know what I mean?”
    I glanced over at Big Mike. I’d spent more time with him than any of Martinez’ other bodyguards. He and I had a friendship of sorts. But I never let myself forget that his loyalty wasn’t to me and never would be—unless Martinez demanded it. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” I exhaled. “He seems a little old for you.”
    “Guys his age are the sweet spot. Their kids are grown and they’re trying to reclaim their youth. Guys my age are usually divorced with joint custody schedules and/or child support payments. Guys younger than me are fun for a while, but lots of them are looking for a baby mama, and that ain’t for me.”  
    “No kids for you?”
    “Nope. My ex thought I’d change my mind. When I didn’t he bailed.” Lisa sipped her beer. “What about you?”
    “Not interested in adding them to my life either.”
    “We are soul sistas. I knew there was a reason I was drawn to you. Now if you tell me you love Thai food, romantic comedies and 1970s soul music, I’m officially asking you to be my new BFF.”
    I laughed. “Better hold off on making those braided friendship bracelets. I’m more of an action flick kind of chick. But I do own Earth, Wind and Fire’s greatest hits.”
    Lisa clinked her bottle to mine. “Close enough.”  
    It felt...good talking to her. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a conversation with a woman who wasn’t a client.  
    After expanding our conversation to our favorite movies, TV shows, and food, she said, “Is there a man in your life?”
    “The guy who owns this place is my boyfriend, my live-in, my old man—whatever the correct term is.”
    “He’s a biker?” she asked cautiously.
    It was tempting to say no, he’s the biker around here, but I refrained. “Yep.”
    “Now the bubble around you makes sense.”
    I shrugged.
    “What do you do for a living?”
    “I’m a private investigator.”
    A pause. “You’re pulling my leg.”
    I dug through my purse until I found a business card and slid it across the table.
    Lisa scrutinized it before she looked at me again. “Fuck me. I’m serious about having you as my new BFF because you lead a way more interesting life than I do.”
    “Not lately.” I poured another shot for myself and sipped. “My business partner is doing the dangerous, fun stuff leaving me to handle the mundane aspects. Which