He drains the water, then gently pats my skin dry. Once again, he lifts me to take me to the bedroom.

“You can change.” He takes the teacup out of my hand. “I’ll be right back.”

I blink at him. He’s being so nice to me.

I quickly change back into Maggie’s sweats and T-shirt just as Keegan knocks on the door and comes in carrying another cup of hot tea and a bottle of lotion.

“Go ahead and get comfortable,” he says.

“You really don’t have to do this.”

“I’m the reason your feet hurt like this.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s because I’m wearing shoes half a size too big.” But I do as he asks and get comfortable on the bed. He’s careful not to rub the lotion over the blisters as he massages it into my skin. His hands are so strong. When he digs his thumb into the arch of my foot, I have to bite my lip so I don’t moan in delight.

I lean back and close my eyes.

“If you keep rubbing my feet, I’m going to fall asleep,” I warn him.

“That’s not a bad thing,” he murmurs, not stopping at my warning. His hands feel good on my skin, and with the warm tea in my belly, I relax and feel all the stress of the day melt away.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“If the whole bar ownership thing doesn’t work out for you, you could go to massage school.”

I open my eyes, expecting to see him with that sexy smirk on his lips, but his gaze is intent on my face.

“Keegan?”

He shakes his head as if pulling himself out of a trance. “You should be good now. Sleep well.”

And with that, he leaves the room and gently closes the door behind him.

Was it something I said?

Chapter 3

~Izzy~

It’s been a whole two weeks since I left my life and everything I knew. My feet are healed, with the help of shoes that fit—thanks to several nights’ worth of tips. It also didn’t hurt that Keegan insisted I take a day off to rest them and fronted me one day of sick time.

I don’t know how I stumbled across such a generous group of people, but I’m so grateful. Someday, I will pay it forward.

“These are the last of the empties from my tables,” I inform Keegan as I set the heavy tray on the bar. “I can wash them if you’d like.”