40
Sam
“There should be another delivery this afternoon.Audrey added a crate of MacMillan’s small batch release for us to taste.”
“That’s great, Sam,” Tiffany said, finishing her coffee.
We’d migrated down from the apartment to finalize our supplier contracts.At least, that was what I was doing.Tiffany was enjoying free expressos while draped across the chair opposite me.
“Are you sure you didn't want to rethink getting the back bar done?Diego said that the article would be posted next week, and once Pierce sees it, they won’t want to risk the bad press.You could get your deposit back.”
I hummed, keeping my eyes trained on the screen, even if I wasn’t reading anything.I hadn’t yet told Tiffany about my comments in the interview.She’d gone out of her way to set it up, specifically so that I could smooth things over.I wasn’t sure how happy she’d be once she knew I’d gone against her advice.Especially since I had, somewhat politely, told Stephen Pierce to mind his own goddamn business.Somewhat literally, I realized with amusement.
It had only been four months since I’d come home, and I was already burning bridges.
“Whether the interview changes anything remains to be seen, and I’d rather not put my hopes on Pierce’s reaction.”I’d rather not have anything to do with him ever again, but the likelihood of that was slim.“I’d feel better knowing that the bar is completed without any further interruptions.”
She looked up from her phone.“It’s your bar.”A smile played on her lips.There wasn’t any difference in her today, yet something felt different.
As I considered it, I admired Tiffany across the table.Strong, sparkling, kinetic.She lived her life boldly, in a way I’d always tried to attain but now realized was possibly out of my reach.
I’d wanted to tell her I felt the same.Because I knew, without a doubt, that I loved her.Was in love with her.
It was hard to be aware of anything else.Which worried me.Because here I was, repeating history, right back to where I was with Piper.Making the same catastrophic decisions that led me back to Chicago.Where I’d promised myself I would play it safe.That I wouldn’t risk the bar’s success.For anything.
A booming knock on the door of the bar surprised us both.Either someone wasn’t aware that we weren’t open today, or they knew and, what?Hoped someone was here?
The mystery lasted all of ten seconds when my cell phone rang, showing Jordan’s name and number.He didn’t waste time when I answered.“It’s freezing!Are you going to open the door or leave me on the sidewalk all night?”
The call ended as I moved to let him in, and once I’d opened the door, I was immediately overcome by Jordan’s strong hug.“Finally!”
I patted his back.“It’s not even that cold.You could have easily lasted another hour out there.”It had only been a year since we’d last seen each other, briefly catching each other between work commitments.He looked good if a little stressed.He was as sharply dressed as I’d ever seen him in light gray dress pants and a matching vest, the rolled-up sleeves of his pressed white shirt pulling the salt out of his beard, dashing against his dark skin.
“I’m a delicate man, Sam.Years under the harsh Nevada sun have changed me.I don’t know how you do it.”
“I’m cold-blooded,” I responded dryly, enjoying his hearty laugh.
Jordan entered, and a flicker of nerves spiked in me as he surveyed the room.He didn’t have to love it, but I’d always respected his opinion and knew that he’d give it to me honestly.“Not bad.The ceiling is a little bare.Probably would have been better with some molding or an accent color.”
“That’s what I said.”Tiffany walked over with her hand out.“Hi, I’m Tiff.”
“And I’m impressed.”Jordan shook her hand, and I did my best to blink away a flare of jealousy.“Jordan.Lovely to meet you, Tiff.”
“And you.I’m a big fan of your twist on the Manhattan.”
“Thank you.I’ve heard you have a take on the Sazerac that I must try.”
Her cheeks pinked, and a sharp pain in my hand caused me to release my fist before I broke the skin with my nail.
“It’s nothing much, but I’d be happy to make you one if you’d like?”
“Wonderful.”Tiffany started towards the bar to start on the drinks.Jordan hung back for a moment, keeping his voice low.“So that’s the infamous Tiff?”
I shook my head—not now—and we each took a seat at the bar.
Tiffany quickly fixed up three cocktails, moving smoothly behind the bar, and I took the opportunity to watch her work.She didn’t miss a beat, able to continue a conversation with Jordan as she measured by sight, free pouring, and acting on instinct.She was mesmerizing.
If I hadn’t let our professional relationship become muddled by my selfish desires, I would have been safe without the knowledge of how far her light went and all the ways she made me feel again.
