We might have been losing folks’ attention since the scene was petering out, but with my words, we got it back.

Though, I had drinks to make and tips to earn, so I wasn’t up for a show and, therefore, quickly finished.

“I find out you cornered a good man like that again, I got no problem shovin’ back.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Are you threatening me?”

I held her gaze direct and my one word had deep meaning. “No.”

She glared at me. Then she glanced around, belligerence etched in her face. I didn’t take my eyes off her, but I suspected she did not get back what she thought she would see, people siding with her after I made my promise.

She got something else after folks learned she’d put her hands on Merry.

I knew it when her face started to get red, she darted another glare at me, and took off.

I didn’t watch. I got on those drinks, feeling Darryl leave my back.

I made Dev’s drink. I got Tony his.

Then Tanner caught my attention by coming close to the bar where the altercation happened and not going back to his seat where Devin had returned.

I looked up at him. “Need another one, Tanner?”

“Need you to call Merry, Cher,” he said quietly, then slightly lifted a hand. “I get you roll with life, darlin’, take your hits and keep on rollin’.” He tipped his head to the door. “But that shit’s gonna hit his phone and fast, it hasn’t already done it. And he’s not gonna be real happy if one of the first calls doesn’t come direct from you.”

My brows shot up. “Relationship advice from shit-hot PI Tanner Layne?”

His lips curled up. “I get it regular, Cher. You want some a’ that for you, listen to a man who’s got it goin’ on.”

He had a point.

And he was totally good with me being with Merry.

I nodded with my lips curling up too and reached to my back pocket to get my phone.

“And I’ll take a fresh one,” Tanner finished.

I got his fresh one, then I got Darryl to take the bar while me and my phone hit the office and I hit go on Merry’s contact.

I barely had my cell to my ear before Merry answered.

“You okay?”

He’d heard.

“Who called?” I asked.

“Lore,” he told me. “Man didn’t hear what went down, just knew Mia showed and threw down.”

Loren Smithfield. Resident player. He was right then playing pool at the same time scanning the joint for ass to tap.

“I’m okay,” I assured.

“Got some things I gotta finish up with Mike, then I’ll be in for a drink.”

I’d take that because we’d been texting since lunch at Frank’s two days before, but I hadn’t seen him.

Though, I didn’t want him to think he had to come in for me.

“I’m really okay, Merry,” I told him.

“I know you are. That’s you. You’re not okay, you find a way to be. That doesn’t mean I’m not pissed as shit my ex is bein’ a stupid bitch and draggin’ you into that. So I’m gonna be in to make sure you’re okay, and I’m gonna be in so I can be with you and not go find her and rip her a new asshole.”