27
Sam
It should have been a one-time thing.Two, at most.Three, at a maximum.
The problem was, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
It had become increasingly difficult to stop noticing little things about her.The way she would hum to the music playing, a sway in her hips, her foot tapping out of time to the beat.
How she would set herself away from the others when she needed to think, creating a quiet little bubble around herself, but would never scowl if she was interrupted, always lighting up any time she talked to the staff.
Tiffany had begun to pop into my head at inconvenient times.I’d find myself staging pre-emptive arguments in the shower, imagining the fire in her eyes as she’d bicker back, those perfectly pink lips and sharp tongue teasing me in more ways than one.
I’d retort verbally or physically, and she’d respond in kind.
Considering the number of times I’d conducted this little routine in the last week, I wouldn’t be surprised if I got a repetitive strain injury in my wrist.
Despite my growing distractions, the plans for the refurbishment were moving ahead nicely.Tiffany’s previous comments about the liquor display had resolved me to go ahead with that plan, although I’d revised the copper to brass, which would match the warm beige that was planned for the remaining walls.
It wasn’t going to be the easiest job.I didn’t want to touch the front and under bar areas, mostly because I’d learned that the building was slab on grade, so any changes to the utilities would be costly (and largely impossible without major reconstruction).
But the back bar was simple enough.The shelving design needed to be pre-fabbed, then installed, but thankfully I’d been given the name of one of the top contractors in the city, and they’d promised me to meet my tight deadline.
Changes to the main room were easier.Removing the booths was a cosmetic job, so if the fabrication of the back bar needed to be delayed, I’d be able to manage that part separately, and the bar would only need to close temporarily for a few days to paint everything.
“Sounds good, Sam,” Harry said from his perch on a barstool.It was mid-morning, long before anyone else was due to arrive, and he’d surprised me with a visit.“I thought it was about time I checked in on my little brother.”
“So far, so good.I still plan on replacing the bar tables, probably something in a dark stain, and there’s a few other plans I have going.But enough about the bar, how are you?How are Imogen and Gracie?”
“They’re both amazing.It’s incredible watching Imogen with her.She’s a natural at all this parenting stuff, whereas I feel like a bumbling moron half the time.”
“I’m sure it’s more than that.”I ducked when he swatted at me.
“I can’t remember the last time I slept for more than four hours.But I can’t describe how rewarding it is.”He proceeded to show me a few hundred photos of Gracie, from sleeping to laughing to playing.I’d never seen him as tired or as happy.It was a good look for him.
“I meant to ask you if you’ve smoothed things over with Pierce yet.Those comments he made about you being kicked out of Vegas were a real fantasy.”
I groaned.Pierce was the perpetual thorn in my side.“It’s clear he’s trying to make it me versus him, but I’m not going to play that game.”
“Good.”
“He came out the other day saying that ‘businesses live and die because of the fortitude of their directors, not because of sensationalism and gimmicks’, which is the most hypocritical thing I’ve ever heard.”I ran a hand through my hair.“But other than that, the press we’re getting is much more positive, especially since business has picked up, and everyone’s really liked the changes.”I smirked, “Mostly.”
“How are things with Tiffany?”Harry asked while I was still smiling at a photo of Gracie in an “I love my mommy” onesie.He was trying for casual, but he failed.Miserably.
“Fine.”
His laugh told me he knew otherwise.I’d never been able to get anything by him.“Tell me you didn’t.”
I felt the need to play innocent when I was anything but.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You did!You slept with her.”I prepared myself for the inevitable lecture.“I thought you said it wasn’t going to be a concern.”
“I know what I said.”
“So, you were lying to yourself?Or just me?”He sat back in the chair, arms crossed, but I could tell he was more amused than upset.
“It’s not anywhere near the same as with Piper.”
