Page 20 of Darlin'

"Yeah, all the time," I scowl at him, sighing. "Right after we oil up and dance naked in the halls."

"Damn." He chuckles. "Got any videos?"

I roll my eyes. "You wish."

"Oh, I do," he says, finishing off his beer as he gives me a once over. "I really, really do."

"I bet," I say, suddenly very aware of the fact that my jammies are rather revealing. "So, umm...what do you say?"

Jesse stands up and tosses the beer can in the sink. "To what?"

"To me being your new bartender," I say. "I think it's a win-win. I get my so-called freedom, and you get help until mono-boy recovers."

"You wouldn't last a day at The Hog," Jesse notes, unpacking the bags of groceries and shoving the produce in the fridge. "I don't think it's really"—he peers over the open refrigerator door—"your vibe."

"You don't think I can handle a few drunken men?" I ask, tilting my head. "Trust me, I can hold my own."

"I'd love to see you try," he says, shutting the door. "But no."

"Come on, Jesse," I whine. "Give me a chance, huh? I can't spend the next five days cooped up in this house like a chicken held hostage." I pause before adding, "Plus, I might get the urge to spruce up a fewotherrooms if I'm left to my own devices.Please..."

He leans against the fridge, contemplating my fate. "This is going to be a disaster; I can already see it."

"It won't!" I jump out of my seat. "I'll be good, I promise! I'll go in, pour beer, keep my head down, and then go home. No drama, no Feng Shui, no problems."

He snorts. "If you Feng Shui my bar, we're for sure going to have problems."

"I won't touch even a peanut," I state with a sharp head nod. "It's only for a few days, Jesse. Come on, what's the harm in letting me help out? You won't even have to pay me! Free labor, isn't that the dream of every business owner? Huh?"

"No shit, I'm not going to pay you," he says, nodding inside the fridge. "Rabbit food ain't cheap, princess."

"See? Think of this as me earning my keep, so to speak," I say eagerly. "I'll even give you my tips as a thank you for being such akind,understanding,andgenerousboss."

He grins, amused. “Are you trying to suck up to me?"

"I don't know," I mutter quietly. "Is it working?"

"I'd be your boss," Jesse muses, gears whirring in his head as he looks down at me. "That would mean you'd need to listen to me."

"I'mexcellentat following orders," I state, straightening my posture. "You say jump, I yell, 'how high?!'"

He snorts. "No yelling in my bar."

"How high?" I whisper, eliciting a tiny smile from my future employer. "See? Quick learner too."

"Jesus." Jesse shakes his head, sighing quietly. "They're going to eat you alive."

"I'll be fine," I insist. "I'mrealgood with people."

He blinks. "I've seen no evidence of this."

I frown. "Well, I haven't had the opportunity to showcase my dazzling personality yet."

"Dazzling?"

"Yes," I state proudly. "That's what won me Miss Greensville a few years back. Check the local papers if you don't believe me."

"Oh, fuck me," Jesse grumbles to himself almost inaudibly. "I must be desperate."

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