Chapter 1340
Winona grinned, “Just came to check in on you p>
Keaton scowled, clearly annoyed. “You could’ve at least given me a heads-up p>
She laughed, “Oh, please. What, so you could get all dolled up for me p>
Keaton pursed his lips. He was used to looking cool, but right now, he looked like he’d just lost a wrestling match with a raccoon. The last person he wanted to see him like this was, well, anyone-especially a pretty girl.
Winona tilted her head, her bright eyes narrowing as she looked him over.
Keaton squirmed under her gaze, frowning. “What are you staring at p>
She gave her verdict, “Your hair looks like a bird’s nest, your shirt’s a mess, and man, is that dirt on your face? Mr. Huber, you look absolutely tragic p>
She wasn’t wrong. Next to her, all stylish and put-together, he looked like he’d just crawled out of a dumpster behind a dive bar.
Keaton glared, lips pressed tight in frustration.
She always knew exactly what to say to push his buttons.
He opened his mouth, searching for a comeback, and finally grumbled, “Getting smacked around by your old man isn’t anything to be ashamed of. Who hasn’t been spanked as a kid p>
Winona raised an eyebrow. “Maybe as a kid, sure. But you’re thirty and still getting your butt kicked p>
Keaton rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, I’m thirty and proud of it p>
She laughed. “Oh? Let me take a picture, really capture this proud moment for you p>
A picture? Keaton’s face darkened instantly.
“Don’t you dare, Winona. If you snap a photo, I swear-don’t think I won’t cut you off, no matter how cute you are “
“Click, click, click p>
Winona ignored his protests completely, snapping away with her phone.
Keaton was so mad he couldn’t even get words out.
Winona just kept going, holding her phone up, “Wait, hold still, that’s a good one.
Let me get a few more for a perfect photo grid p>
She showed him the shots, grinning. “If I post this, you’re totally going viral. Hashtag Hot Mess Express p>
His face was practically thundercloud-dark now. “If you post that, I swear, I’m done with you. Not even Tarquin or Elysia could talk me out of it p>
Winona shrugged. “Fine, I won’t post them-if you’ll have a drink with me. I just cut things off with that jerk Zane for good, and I need a drinking buddy p>
Seeing her suddenly downcast, Keaton’s heart softened, and his tone did too. “You really kicked him to the curb p>
“Yup p>
“You feeling better p>
She nodded.
Winona pulled two bottles of merlot from her tote bag and waggled them at him. “So, you in p>
“Of course. But you have to delete those pictures first. And why’d you come to me anyway p>
She dodged the photo request and just said, “Who else would I come to? Elysia’s got the kids tonight and Blossom’s still at her preschool training. You’re what I’ve got p>
“Anyone else would just roast me,” she
mighton, “I act all high and
then nearly got wrecked by a douchebag that I, stupidly, chose myself. So embarrassing p>
“But you—well, you’re a ladies’ man, always know how to be sweet. You won’t
make fun of me, right p>
Keaton grinned. “You picked the right guy. I’d never laugh at you p>
“Good. Then let’s drink p>
Winona started to open the merlot, but Keaton stopped her. “Nah, not red. That’s
too tame. Let’s go for the hard stuff-really knock the night out p>
Honestly, he was itching for a good drink too. It’d been a hell of a day.
Winona shrugged. “Didn’t bring any whiskey p>
Keaton pointed toward the family altar. “There’s some at Grandpa’s spot p>
She balked, “You want to steal your grandpa’s liquor p>
Keaton smirked. “It’s not stealing. It’s borrowing. Grandpa loved me more than anything. After the day I’ve had, he’d understand p>
“Besides, I’m borrowing it for a good cause-cheering up a friend. Grandpa would totally approve p>
“Don’t worry. Grab a few bottles, there’s a whole stash over there. When I’m back on my feet, I’ll replace ’em p>
His grandpa, Harold Huber, had been a bourbon man, so his memorial was always stocked with the good stuff.
Winona hesitated. “You sure he won’t haunt us p>
Keaton grinned. “Trust me, I know my grandpa. Go on, it’s the second shelf, middle spot. Grab some new glasses while you’re at it p>
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Winona rolled her eyes, but headed off for the bottles anyway. Some nights, you just needed bourbon-and a friend who’d drink it with you, no matter how much of a mess you both were.