Page 391 of One More Kiss

Swift Attraction

Kelsie Rae

Chapter1

“Hey, Gibbs,”I greet my coworker and fellow bartender at the one and only SeaBird. My family has owned this bar for as long as I can remember. It’s my home away from home, even when it’s a little difficult juggling my shifts as a bartender and my homework for my business degree. But hey, it’s life. I’m not complaining.

Gibson, however, looks like he has a bone to pick. I’m just not sure who’s starring on his shitlist at the moment.

He ignores my greeting, dialing a number into his phone as the swarm of customers crowds the almost empty stage in the back corner of the building. The place is hoppin’ even more than usual, and that’s saying something.

With a phone pressed to his ear, Gibson mutters, “Shit.”

“There a problem?” I ask. He looks like he’s about to puke.

“Fen’s supposed to be on stage, but he’s missing,” he answers, his thumbs jabbing out a text message with more force than necessary.

Fender is the lead singer of Broken Vows. He’s also Gibson’s half-brother and is a handful on a good day. The fact that he’s gone missing or is late to a show isn’t exactly surprising, but Gibson’s furrowed brow is.

“Anything I can do to help?” I offer before mouthing one sec to a customer who’s waiting to order a drink a few feet away from us. I just got here and should be pouring booze already, but Gibson’s anxiety piqued my curiosity enough to put my job on the line. Not that I’d ever get fired. My dad owns the place. But still.

“Dammit,” he seethes, hanging up another unanswered call. His jaw tightens before he tears his gaze away from his phone and looks over at me. “I need you to do me a favor.”

“Okay?”

“Do you see that guy over there?” His attention flicks toward a silver fox in a soft gray suit with a Rolex around his wrist who’s sitting at the opposite end of the bar.

“You mean the hot older guy?” I offer, still confused.

“He’s not that old. He just has a couple of white patches of hair, but yeah. I need you to make sure he doesn’t leave.”

“Who is he?”

“He’s here to watch Broken Vows play––”

“Which is why you’re pissed that Fen’s missing,” I surmise.

“Exactly.” He looks back at his phone and hits Fender’s number again. “Can you just…buy me some time?”

“And how do you expect me to do that?”

“I dunno. You’re hot. You said he’s hot. Just…do your thing.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks.”

He looks up from his phone. “I’ll owe ya one, okay?” He dips his chin to his chest and leaves a scathing voicemail for Fen, which we both know he’ll never listen to.

Well, I guess that’s that.

Puffing out my cheeks, I wipe my hands on the white dishrag tucked into the black apron wrapped around my waist before filling the order for the first guy who’d been waiting at the bartop. Once he’s taken care of, I head to Silver Fox. The guy isn’t that old, but he’s definitely older than me and looks like he’s aged like a fine wine. Then again, I’ve always had a thing for older guys––much to my father’s dismay––and this guy fits the bill perfectly.

“Hi,” I announce, hooking my arms behind my back to keep him from seeing how shaky my hands are. I’m a terrible liar. There’s no way he won’t see right through me. “Sorry to keep you waiting. What can I get for you?”

“You’re not the one who’s kept me waiting,” he mutters under his breath without bothering to look up at me as he fishes out a few bills from his leather wallet. Even though there isn’t a drink in front of him, and he has nothing to pay for, he sets a couple of twenties on the counter before glancing up at me. His crystal blue eyes almost knock me on my ass as he pauses and settles back onto his barstool.

“Hey,” he greets me, his eyes flaring with interest.

How he can make a single syllable sound so freaking sexy is beyond me, but I bite my lip to keep from grinning like a lunatic and answer, “Hi.”

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