Page 2 of Wildflower and Whiskey
“No.” I felt my cheeks heat. “I’m actually looking for Phoenix Thorne.”
“Oh.” She grinned. “Boss is behind the bar.”
“Thanks,” I said and walked toward the bar. The place had a rustic, masculine feel that screamed success. I reached the bar not noticing Phoenix, but a guy who I assumed was the bartender walked up to me.
“What can I get you?” he asked with an English accent. He looked to be about my age.
“Phoenix Thorne,” I spluttered, my nerves getting the best of me.
“You want the boss? Coming right up.” The guy winked with a devious smile. I should’ve turned around and walked out the door right then. I seemed to be destined to put my foot in my mouth but my need for money pushed me forward.
I was tongue-tied as Phoenix straightened out from behind the bar. His sleeves were rolled, exposing muscular forearms dusted with grease. His eyes locked with mine and there it was, the immediate tension that seemed all too familiar. He didn’tlook surprised to see me, but he was definitely guarded. His hair was the same floppy brown mess it was in high school, except now it looked… intentional. Grown-up. Damn it. He was broader now, more solid, like life had carved away the boy and left behind something sharp, honed, and far too distracting.
“Elyna,” he said dryly. “I was told you may be stopping by.”
I smiled but it was forced. “Good to see you, Phoenix.”
He nodded.Why did I open with that?
“I heard you need a job,” he stated, getting to the point. Okay, so we weren’t letting bygones be bygones.
“I was hoping you’d be in need of a waitress,” I said sheepishly to him.
“We are,” the bartender answered for him.
Phoenix side-eyed him and gave him a dirty look. He leaned a hip against the bar, crossing his arms. His stance was unfair, the way it pulled his shirt across his chest. His dark eyes flicked over me like he was cataloging my every flaw. Every piece of proof that I didn’t belong here.
The guy winced. “Sorry, I’m Cooper. I’m the bartender and an old friend of Phoenix.” He shook my hand. How old a friend could he be? He didn’t grow up in Val-Du-Lys.
“Elyna, nice to meet you I grew up living next door to Phoenix,” I explained and shook his hand.
The guy was handsome with straight blond hair and green eyes. He smiled. “Phoenix never mentioned you before.”
“Yes, well I’m not surprised,” I answered casually.
“Are you here to discuss a job?” Phoenix cut in abruptly. Seemed I’d managed to anger him already.
“Yes, sorry. Look, I need the work. I can waitress circles around anyone you’ve got,” I assured.
“This isn’t high school, Elyna. People come here for the beer and food, not the cheerleading.”
I bristled from his harsh words. I wasn’t that girl anymore. I hadn’t been in a long time, and it hurt he still saw me that way. My throat tightened, but I refused to let him see it.
“Wow. Still bitter, huh? Guess some things never change.”
For a second, something flashed in his eyes, hurt, maybe, or anger. He shoved it down so fast I almost doubted I’d seen it.
I braced my palms on the bar and leaned closer, lowering my voice. “Look, I’m not here to relive high school drama. I’ve got a six-month-old baby, and I need steady work. You want someone who’ll show up, hustle, and not screw around? That’s me.”
His mouth twitched, like he didn’t know whether to sneer or soften. The mention of Braden threw him off-balance, and I caught his hesitation, the moment where he almost looked… human.
Cooper jabbed him in the ribs and Phoenix winced. “Fine, one trial shift. But the second you screw up, you’re out.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I said, lifting my chin. I deserved his wrath. I’d hurt him but it had been so long since it happened. I’d hoped he was over it. Clearly he wasn’t.
Phoenix’s lips pinched together. “Where’s your baby?”
The fact he asked about Braden threw me off. I wasn’t expecting that from him.
