Holly would have laughed, except she was covered in beer and surrounded by broken mugs and bottles.
The men at the Brotherhood Protectors’ table sprang to their feet.
The one called Simon was there first, pushing Cody aside to get to her.
“Hey,” Cody protested. “Watch it.”
Simon ignored him, shuffled through the mess, regardless of any damage it might cause his boots, and scooped Holly up in his arms.
She slung her arm around his neck, surprised and unprepared to be swept off her feet. “What are you doing?”
“Getting you to safety,” he said.
“But I have to clean up the mess,” she protested.
“It would be best to start from the outside and work your way in, rather than walking through broken glass,” he pointed out as he set her on her feet at the perimeter of the disaster.
Rene came around the counter with a broom and a dustpan. Danny, the other waitress, rolled a mop bucket out from the back storeroom.
Much to Holly’s chagrin and secret admiration, Simon and his team took over. Simon manned the broom, and Remy held the dustpan as he swept up the broken glass.
Ouida Mae’s husband carried a large, plastic-lined trash bin and set it close by.
Within minutes, Simon and Remy had the glass cleared. Rafael mopped up the beer, and Valentin used several bar towels to dry the floor. In less than five minutes, the barroom floor was returned to order, cleaner than before the beer had been spilled.
Rene had a fresh tray of drinks waiting.
Meanwhile, Cody stood back, fussing over his new boots. “I’ll send you the bill if my boots are ruined,” he said to Rene.
Rene’s eyes narrowed. “Holly, say the word, and I’ll file assault charges on Cody.”
Cody’s eyes widened. “Assault? That’s bullshit.”
Rene met Holly’s gaze. “Did you want Cody to put his arm around you?”
Holly shook her head, her face burning. Every customer in the bar was focused on the entire altercation. “No.”
“Did you, or did you not tell him to keep his hands off?” Rene’s gaze went from Holly to Cody.
“I did tell him,” Holly said.
“We’re old friends,” Cody blustered. “I put my arm around you as a friendly gesture, not assault.”
Holly lifted the tray of drinks and gave Cody a hard stare. “We might’ve been friends in the past, but we aren’t now. Don’t touch me again, or I will file assault charges. Now, either get a drink or leave. I have work to do.”
When Cody started toward her, Simon stepped between them and followed her to the table where his buddies had all reconvened.
She smiled at the men at the table and started handing out their drinks. “Thanks, guys. The drinks are on me.”
“That’s not necessary,” Simon said as he helped distribute the mugs.
“I insist,” she said. “You did my job. The least I can do is buy this round.” She held up her hand. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.” Before they could argue further, she grabbed her tray and hurried to the next table.
Once she had all her customers happy, she returned to the bar, her jeans still damp with beer.
“I think Danny and I can manage the rest of the evening if you’d like to join your friends,” Rene said.
“I don’t mind working—just not covered in beer.”
