Page 68 of Good as Gold
Then, one night when I’m tending bar with Alec, a group of women enter the bar and I catch a glimpse of wavy hair. My attention snaps onto her as she chats with Skye and May and a couple other women I don’t recognize.
“Girls’ night, huh?” Alec says when they approach the bar. He’s already reaching for a few glasses. “What’ll it be, ladies?”
“Tonic and lime,” May says, because she doesn’t drink.
“I’ll have the same,” Leila says. Her eyes flit in my direction, and she gives me a quick, private smile.
“Hold up—you’re going to make me order a margarita alone?” one of the other women protests.
“Yeah, sorry,” Leila says with a shrug. “New policy of mine—when you live over a bar, you can’t drink there every night.”
“Hey dude. Excuse me?” One of the beer tourists at my end of the bar is waving his credit card at me. “Those women are pretty, but I’m trying to cash out here.”
Fine. I’ll take this impatient turd’s money, because that’s my job. And I’ll even make the kind of small talk that is good for tips. He doesn’t look like he’ll appreciate my tight T-shirt, but you never know.
By the time I’m done, Leila and her friends are gathered around a table at the far end of the room.
Figures.
“You looking for someone?” my brother asks me. Then he snickers.
“Shut it,” I grumble.
“How’s it going there? Any new and exciting developments?”
You have no idea. I shake my head. “It’s not like that.”
“But you wish it was,” he counters.
“I wish a lot of things. You want me to change the Long Trail tap?”
He falls for my change of topic. “Sure. Thanks.”
When I return, Rory’s waiting for me on a barstool, and I groan inside.
It must show on my face, because he holds up both hands in submission. “Hey, I won’t say a word to her. Promise.”
“Better mean that.” I toss a coaster down on the bar. “What are you drinking? No freebies tonight, because Alec is back to watch my every move.”
Rory shakes his head. “I’m not staying. I just came in to ask you a favor.”
Uh oh. “How can I help you?”
“That beer truck your uncle has you working on? He said you’re doing a wedding next weekend. He also said the pay is five hundred bucks, but the tips will be shitty because it’s an open bar.”
Fuck. I don’t really want to work a shift with Rory. And that’s a tough realization. A better friend than me would be hanging out with him, making sure he’s on the mend from his divorce.
But me? I feel guilty just seeing his face.
“…Otto said I gotta ask you before he’ll hire me. He says you’re in charge.”
“Me?” Goddamn it.
Rory nods. “You’re the manager. You make the call.”
Thanks, Otto.Thanks a crap ton. “You sure you want to pour beer for six hours straight? It’ll be hot, and we’ve got to wear a dress shirt, and it’s an hour away. And we don’t get to drink anything on shift.”
“Yeah, no problem.” He nods vigorously.
