I felt a grin peek through, and she looked pleased with herself.“So, what is it?”she asked.
I returned my attention to the room, taking in the very white, very male crowd.And feeling my own contribution acutely.“There is an unfortunately disproportionate demographic here.”
She barked out a laugh.“Oh, yeah.Total Mr.Banks situation.”
My mind sifted through the possibilities, merging what I knew to be Tiffany’s unique brand of audacious humor with the people in the room.Then it occurred to me.“Are you really referencing Mary Poppins to describe ...this?”
“You can’t tell me those old dudes that run the bank aren’t an exact replica of this room.”
I wasn’t quite quick enough to stifle my laugh before it escaped, and the surprise that showed across Tiffany’s features was immediate.And then, she smiled.Soft.Genuine.Like I’d given her a gift.
A hint of blush graced her cheeks, a dusty rose color that could be seen touching the high planes of her cheekbones, sharply curved to fit perfectly in a palm.My own face heated.
I was about to retort with an unprecedented quip of agreement when the very man we’d managed to avoid earlier made his way over to us, his navy suit having just enough weight to be expensive if cut a little too closely for a proper fit.
“Mr.Cooper!I thought that was you.”He shook my hand, ignoring Tiffany at my side.I couldn’t see her expression, but I felt her silently seething.
Pierce dropped a heavy hand to my shoulder, and I tightened my smile so that I wouldn’t grimace.“It seems I missed you this afternoon.How did you like my place?”For someone who’d spent a lot of time calling me out in public, he was awfully friendly.Pretentious dick.
I brushed imaginary dust off of my lapel, hoping the movement would encourage him to remove his hand, and was grateful when it did.“Yes, my apologies.We needed to make a quick exit to make it here on time.”I was stalling, wanting to be polite about my opinion of his bar, but not lie outright.“I was impressed.It’s very richly appointed.”Impressed was a stretch, but it had the desired effect on Pierce.“It’s clear that you had a very specific vision for it and must have had a hand in every detail.It’s no wonder you’re considered so highly.”I knew that boosting his ego would defer from the fact that I hadn’t technically praised any part of the business in any way.
“Absolutely.It was a passion project.I adore France, even if I could do without the French.Fantastic wines, though.I’m glad you had the chance to see a booming business.Quite a bit different than what you’re used to, I’m sure.”
He wasn’t wrong there, but I suspected he meant it in a wholly different way.“Yes, very.”
He leaned in then, either ignorant that Tiffany was still there or not caring.“I wouldn’t normally do this,” I could imagine that wasn’t true at all, “but I have a lot of contacts in this town, and if you’re in the market for a new head bartender, I can send you some names.Good ones.”
In my periphery, I saw Tiffany’s jaw drop, a mirror image of my own reaction, if I had allowed myself to react physically to his completely disgusting suggestion.I spoke before she could.No doubt she could take of herself—and in a far more entertaining way than I would--but I wasn’t in a position to burn bridges here, so my absolute hatred of Stephen Pierce and everything he stood for would have to wait.
“That won’t be necessary, Mr.Pierce.I’m sure you’re aware that I currently have the most awarded bar staff in the city working for me.”
Pierce only grinned wider, his snide expression in keeping with his personality.“How about you think about it.Give me a call when you’re sick of playing babysitter to the misfits.”
My blood boiled.I didn’t need to burn this bridge to let him know I wasn’t going to tolerate his attitude.“I think you’d be better off if you spent more time worrying about your own business than mine, Stephen.Didn’t you recently have to close one of your restaurants because of low sales?Or maybe it was the accusations of abuse from your staff.I forget.”
“I can see she added another notch to her bedpost, then.You two suit each other.”
“How about you go fuck yourself, Steve.”Tiffany spat from beside me, and I had to shove my hands into my suit pockets to stop myself from punching him.I couldn’t even remember the last fight I’d been in.Middle school, probably.
“Delightful as always, Tiffany.”Pierce sneered, then nodded to me.“Cooper.Think about what I said.”He thankfully walked away.
I wanted to congratulate Tiffany for so quickly disposing of him, or at the very least for saying what I wished I could, but I wasn’t sure how either would be received, so I simply settled for a mumbled, “What an ass.”
Her snort turned into a groan.“I’m not drunk enough to deal with this.”
I flagged down a waiter as he passed, took two glasses, and, with a hefty tip slid into his palm, instructed him to bring us the bottle as soon as he could.
Tiffany wasn’t the only one too sober right now.
It was only when the bottle was half-drunk that I asked the question I’d wondered all evening.
“Why haven’t you ever learned to play nice with them?”
She carded a hand through her hair, the satin strands gliding softly through her fingers.“I think you’ll find I don’t give a shit.But I’m surprised they aren’t kissing your boots.”
I frowned.“It seems my reputation proceeds me.”
“Which is exactly why they should be more fucking respectful.”
