Page 12 of Bartender's Surprise Baby

"You did good tonight," Sela offered with a hesitant smile. "I wasn't sure."

"Thanks. Making drinks on demand is different than doing it in class, but we all made it." I laid out three stacks of cash and pushed one toward Sela and the other waitress, Dani.

"We don't split tips," Dani said in confusion.

"No? Well, it was busy tonight, and you ladies did all the running around."

"Seriously?" Sela's big brown eyes were wide with shock.

"Yeah, seriously. You earned it."

She smiled and counted her stack. "This is more than I made all night! What's your secret?"

"She's a famous model," Dani groaned.

I ignored her comment and shrugged. "Like I said, the place was packed, which meant a lot of customers ordered from the bar."

"Thank you," Sela said again, giddy with her haul for the night. "See you tomorrow?"

"Have a good night."

Dani followed her out, and I locked the door behind them.

"All done?" Levi's ever-present apron was gone, giving me a long, hard look at his blue-and-white flannel that hugged his pecs and biceps.

"Yeah. The girls are gone, and the bar is clean."

"They're right, you don't have to split your tips with them."

I smiled. "You were eavesdropping?"

"Maybe you just talk really loud."

"Maybe I do," I conceded. "They earned the tips, and it's not like I need the money."

He studied me, then grinned. "You just keep surprising me, Rob. I have to keep up." He produced a large paper bag from behind him. "Dinner?"

My mouth watered as I nodded. "Nothing hotter than a lumberjack chef."

He laughed. "Come on, I'll drive. That drink helped, what was in it?"

"Ginger, citrus juices, and tonic water. Refreshing, right?"

He wrapped an arm around me, and we left the bar together. Without discussing it, we both went to his car and headed to Levi's place.

"Dinner was delicious, thanks."

"My pleasure. What did you think?" His question held a hint of uncertainty, which surprised me.

"It was a clever twist on a pub favorite, and bowls are very trendy right now. They popped up all over social media tonight. How was it being in the kitchen?"

"Great. I forgot how much fun it could be." He hit me with a smile that would've buckled my knees if I wasn't already sitting down.

I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out—just a jaw-cracking yawn. "Oh my god, I guess I'm more tired than I realized. Sorry."

"Don't be," he replied around a yawn of his own. "Shower and then bed?"

"That sounds heavenly." I sighed heavily and followed him up the stairs, not thinking at all about the fact that I was spending the night with Levi and sex wasn't on the table.

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