Page 135 of The Matchmaker
It takes me a second. A very long one.
“Nu-uh.”
“You said you wanted a promotion.”
“Yeah, but I meant like a normal one. I can’t own a pub.”
“Co-own.”
“I mean, surely, I need a business degree or something,” I say, ignoring him.
He just shrugs. “I have one and I barely use it.”
“Yeah but—”
“You have more than a decade’s worth of experience, which is more than I had when I took over. You worked your way up and you’ve never complained once. You’ve mopped floors and cleaned toilets and you’re right; your theme nights do go down a treat. You know every one of our regulars. You know every drink on our menu. You push me to go further and stand your ground when I push back. There’s a reason this place was left standing when all the others closed. When my dad owned it, it was nothing but a couple of grumpy men drinking the same sad pints every night. Now, it’s a place to be proud of. It’s a place for everyone and the only reason it’s not a pile of bricks is because you showed everyone how much you love it. And for all of those reasons and a dozen more, I’d like you to be my partner in it.”
Voices sound on the other side of the door, laughing and joking with each other, but they barely register as I stare at the man before me, the man who’s been my boss for the past ten years. Who’s been my teacher and my friend and as close to family as you can get without being related. Who’s just offered me my dream job.
“Holy freaking shit, Adam.”
Thankfully, he’s spent enough time around me to know what I mean. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes. I don’t know what to say. I…and just to confirm, this comes with more money?”
“It comes with more money.”
“And can we get business cards?”
“No.”
“Can we take a photo for the bar?”
“Sure.”
“And can we—”
“Knock, knock.”
I spin around as the door opens and Gemma sticks her head inside. “I’m taking Noah to football,” she says, before her gaze lands on me. “What’s up with you, little Miss Smiley Face?”
“I think I just bought a pub,” I say, and she smirks, not looking even a little bit surprised. “Youknew?” I ask.
“He told me the other day. Congratulations.”
I glance between them, annoyed. “So that’s how it’s going to be? You two talking about us behind our backs and swapping secrets?”
“We’ve been doing that for years,” she says dryly, before turning to Adam. “I’ll stop by later?”
He nods,painfullycasually, and she leaves without another word.
“Don’t,” Adam says, when I twist back to him with a knowing smile.
“Don’t what?”
“We’re taking things slow. And we’re keeping it quiet.”
“But that’s not fun for me.”
