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over my dark blue jeans and tucked in black shirt. I decide to make Maggie happy and tie my hair back in a low ponytail. I leave my bag and coat in the backroom and head to the bar counter. Maggie is talking animatedly with Mr. Johnson about what sounds to be a fishing trip.
    “Good afternoon, Mr. Johnson. Hi, Maggie.”
    “So, what did you do last night?” Maggie asks in a suspicious tone.
    “What do you mean?”
    “You are glowing and all bubbly,” she presses further.
    “Oh, I just slept really well last night and I am using a new face wash.” I am intentionally being vague in hopes she drops it.
    “Uh huh. Who is he?” Maggie asks with a wide smile.
    Before I can answer, Mr. McIntyre opens the door to the pub caring his chess set. Mr. Johnson joins him at their usual table in front of the window by the door. I hurry to bring Mr. McIntyre his usual drink before Maggie can ask anything else.
    “It looks like it will be pretty slow today. You can head out if you want,” I say to Maggie, refusing to meet her eyes.
    “Yep, I am pretty sure it will be. So Cora, who is he?”
    Fuck. “Maggie, I… uh… um…” I really don’t want to lie to her but I am also not sure if I want to tell her about Eric. As I am searching for what to say, the door to the pub opens again. I glance over in hopes it is someone to distract Maggie from her inquisition. Well fuck! So much for hiding anything!
    “Well, welcome back your Lordship!” Maggie beams.
    “Maggie, I asked last time please call me Eric,” Eric is even more stunning in the light of day. There is a tiny bit of sun behind him playing on his features. He looks so good it is almost unreal. His dark hair is parted and combed perfectly. One lock is gently brushing his forehead, most likely thanks the breezy day. His suit and vest are dark grey today, with a dark purple shirt underneath that is almost the exact same color as my sweater from last night. Again he isn’t wearing a tie and the first two buttons of the shirt are undone exposing the hollow where his collar bone meets. I desperately want to trace it with my lips.
    I resist the urge to run to him and instead just blush such a deep shade of red it is almost purple. I duck my head and hope that Maggie won’t notice my cheeks burning.
    “Cora, aren’t you going to say hello to Eric? I would introduce you but I have a feeling you two already know each other,” Maggie smirks barely hiding her amusement. I look over at her and she is smiling like a child with an ice cream. Shit, that is it. I’m screwed.
    “Hello Eric,” I say stiffly, not wanting to give Maggie anymore enjoyment than she already has. Eric looks confused and scowls at me slightly. Clearly he didn’t think coming here was going to be a problem. I forgot he didn’t grow up in a small town. He has no idea the wild fire that will be started if the locals catch wind of this.
    “Um, hello Cora,” he responds and seems disappointed. I am surprised to see how much him being unhappy bothers me. I decide to suck it up. So what if I am the topic of conversation for a few days.
    “It’s nice to see you here. I didn’t know you knew I was working,” I smile at him brightly fully aware that Maggie is staring at me. “Want a scotch?”
    “I didn’t know you were. I was driving through on my way somewhere else and thought I would stop in to see if you were here. Yes, scotch would be great. Neat please.” He smiles back at me and looks relieved.
    “Yeah, I know. That blonde behind the bar the other night? That was me,” I joke and wink slightly at him. I pour and hand him his scotch. When I look over at Maggie she is still smiling at me. “I am sure I can handle things out here if you have some other things to do, Mags.”
    “Okay, I’ll just be in the back doing paperwork if you need me. Patrick will be here in a bit too,” Maggie says as she unties her apron. “Not your type? Liar,” she whispers under her breath at me as she heads to