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PROLOGUE

MOMMY ISSUES

Kingston

I have six different drinks in front offrom very expensive scotch to some kind of carbonated fruity cocktail that’s so sweet I’et a cavity if I finish it Despite the variety, I’ drunk Mostly because I’m not a fan of the way alcohol tastes, so I’ve only had a couple sips out of each glass

“Excuse htly smoky female voice draws my attention to the left, where the stool next to mine sits empty

I notice several things as her gray-blue eyes, ringed in navy, lock and hold withchestnut hair pulled up in a loose ponytail, high cheekbones, full lips, and thick lashes that don’t appear to be coated in mascara But beyond how beautiful she is, she looks sad

We match

“Uh, no, it’s all yours” Regardless of my sour mood, I push back my stool and stand, partly to ether

She climbs into the one next to mine before I have a chance to offer my assistance

“I’m Queenie” She holds out a hand, and when I do the sa a jolt of unexpected energy through me The way her eyes flarein the air

“Queenie?” I smile “I’m Ryan” I don’t knohy I introduce myself this way No one calls s call me by our last name most of the time In part because of nize It’s too late now to backtrack Maybe I don’t use ht into question thanks to today’s events

“Hi, Ryan” Her gaze darts down and then back up Our pal at her

I release her hand and instantly want to find a reason to touch her again

The bartender is quick to spot his new custoain while Queenie orders “I’ll have a vodka martini, extra dirty, extra olives, please Actually, make that two”

The bartender’s eyebrows rise, but he gets out his shaker She stops him when he reaches for the bottle on the shelf behind him and asks for well vodka instead I’ets another eyebrow raise frolasses and drops a skewer of olives into each one He looks tookay?”