“Because . . .”

“I was on the parade committee for three years. Until she fired me.”

Molly laughed. “She fired you? What for?”

“For not giving Henderson’s first place.”

“Henderson’s, the car dealership on the edge of town?”

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be based on who has the best float?”

“According to Mavis, it’s based on who provides the mayor the most in campaign contributions every election.”

“Ouch.” Molly grabbed her drink and took a big swallow, then wished she hadn’t. She really tasted the vodka in that one. “That seems a bit unethical.”

“That’s what I told her. After that, I was replaced on the judging committee.”

Molly snorted, then finished her drink. “I can promise you, I’ll be a fair and impartial judge. And besides, I likely won’t be here anyway.”

“Already planning your exit strategy?” Carter signaled Bash for refills.

She shouldn’t have another. The first one was strong enough, and she’d already drained it. In a hurry, as a matter of fact.

But Bash laid down a bowl of pretzels along with their refills, so why not?

She took another drink. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“You could stay here.”

Her hand stilled and she put her drink down. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Why not? What’s here that you’re so afraid of?”

“I’m not having this conversation with you, Carter.” Instead, she grabbed a handful of pretzels. So did he, popping them into his mouth and finishing off his second drink. He signaled Bash for a third.

“You sure you should be drinking more?”

“Yes. Definitely sure.”

He filled his hand with more pretzels, and Bash refilled both their glasses and the snack bowl before disappearing to the other end of the bar.

“You’re avoiding my question.”

She lifted her gaze to his, wishing there wasn’t so much history between them. If he were just some stranger, she’d definitely want to know more about him. He was incredibly good-looking, had an amazing body, and she wanted to put her hands on him. And her mouth on his. And do all kinds of things with him.

Naked.

She blinked and looked down at her glass. Her third glass, which was now empty.

Definitely the alcohol talking, because sensible Molly did not have lascivious thoughts about the man who broke her heart.

Inebriated Molly, on the other hand, was definitely having some.

“Tell me about your life, Carter.”

“What do you want to know?”

“I don’t know. Everything, I guess. Tell me about your work.”

He shrugged. “I started working for the garage when I was still in high school, as you know. I left for college, but every time I was on break I worked there. When I got my business degree, I bought out the original place in Hope and converted it to a full-service garage. Several years later, I bought out a few more auto service companies in and around Tulsa and made them full-service as well.”

She sipped at her drink, which had suddenly appeared before her. “You must have been pretty busy.”

“It was hard work, but worth it. Each of the facilities is doing well now.”

“I like what you’ve done with the garage in Hope. It caters to a full clientele. You can meet the needs of every resident in town, whether they need a tire rotation or a full transmission replacement.”

Carter stared at her in awe. She could tell she’d nailed it in one pretty good tag line. “I like that. I might use it for advertising purposes.”

She laughed. “That’s what I do. Summarize what a company has to offer. I could probably help you out. Do you do commercials?”

“I’ve tried to do a couple, but they haven’t been very successful.”

“It’s likely that you’re not hitting your target market. You’re either not creating the right advertising, or you’re advertising at the wrong place, wrong time.”

“That’s possible. I should have you take a look at what we’ve tried out before. Maybe you can give me some advice.”

“Sure.”

“So tell me what you’ve been doing.”

“A lot of marketing for various companies. I’m kind of a jack-of-all-trades. I can advise on marketing plans, create marketing programs, as well as execute them. I can develop advertising, and create a budget for sales and marketing. I’ve also worked in business management, streamlining systems, from accounting to human resources.”

“That’s a pretty rich portfolio.”

“It’s a lot of on-the-job experience. I started out in sales departments of small companies and learned from some very good people. Then I contributed ideas along the way, and figured out I was pretty good at it. I’ve been like a sponge over the years.”

“Best way to learn a job, in my opinion. We bring on a lot of apprentices in our shops. They tend to be focused and eager to learn.”

Molly nodded. “I agree. I was a damn fine student of the craft.”

He laughed and raised his glass. “And look at you now.”

She clinked glasses with him, then set hers down, kind of gingerly.

“So, do you have a girlfriend?” she asked, then realized that had just fallen out of her mouth.

Damn alcohol.