That thought runs its way up and down my spine. I knew he would be, of course, but his new flirtation, more than usual, leaves me reeling. Doesn’t matter. I have enough to occupy my mind tonight without thinking how his proximity lit me up like little else has in . . .years, if I bothered to count.
“You know those guys?” I ask Jordy as I place drinks on the large serving tray. Trying to shake off the oily feeling across my skin, I subtly nod over to the table in the corner I just came from. The annual New Year’s Eve Party at Black Diamond is packed, and Sydney is nowhere to be seen, so I’m bartender, server, and everything in between tonight.
I somehow got a table full of college students. They all want complicated mixed drinks and cocktails. I can’t blame them. I would too if that were me. I force myself to concentrate and make sure their Black Diamond experience is a good one. College students spend a lot of money here, even when no runs are open for skiing.
Making one of the drinks, Jordy cringes slightly and flicks his gaze to the rowdy table. “I go to school with a few of them. It’s totally my fault they are here. Some of them have seen Bishop Frost around campus or are taking this class where he is the graduate assistant. He’s quite the topic of conversation, and then they saw him talk to me. He bought my coffee on campus one day.”
Usually, Jordy works at Summit House, but due to the party, we are short-staffed tonight. I’m glad he is filling in for Sydney, who is conspicuously absent on the busiest night of the year.
I would hope that means she is fired, if that wasn’t such an objectively horrible thing to hope about someone. I’ve been running the schedule, Quinn’s go-to since last spring, and she hasn’t taken that well. It’s put the brakes on Quinn having a bar manager, me or anyone else, too. That and the events of the last year with him and Bishop.
I look over to Quinn, not behind the bar for once, but visible enough with his brothers over at the dart boards and pool tables. If we get too far behind, he will leave Bish to help out, but I don’t want him to have to. Tonight is special to them, one year from their first kiss. They are the kind of nauseatingly sweet couple that probably spent lots of time thinking about honoring the day.
“Then what?” I prompt Jordy, knowing there is more to the story. Jordy is friends with Bishop and came to Bear Valley at the same time earlier this year. Bishop moved in with Quinn, but Jordy transferred to Rollins for school and works from time to time at Black Diamond and hosts at Summit House. He lives out in Mirror Lake like I do, and I see him on the bus sometimes.
“They were talking about how hot Bishop is, and Imayhave said you should see him with his fiancé.” Jordy blushes, making his blond hair look stark. “Anyway, one thing led to another, and they decided to come out to New Year’s Eve at Black Diamond once they heard what a great party it is, hoping to catch a glimpse of Quinn and Bishop.” Jordy finishes the drink and starts on another one. “They giving you trouble?”
“A guy keeps being a little handsy, not a big deal. Not creepy, just a rich kid used to getting whatever he wants and no one having a problem with it. He thinks he is flirting. It’s harmless.”
“Sorry. The one in the blue sweater?”
I finish the last of the drinks, waiting for Jordy. “Yeah, and it’s not your fault, Jordy.”
“That’s Travis Meyers. Very much the rich kid who doesn’t hear no. I doubt he ever thought someone wouldn’t want his hands on them,” Jordy warns me. We both look at the guy. Yeah, he’s got that vibe saying he is handsome enough to get away with whatever. Reminds me of my cousin Nico.
I slide my gaze over to Bish and Quinn laughing, then kissing.
Jordy catches my eye, and we both turn and watch the table practically swoon.
“Jesus,” I mutter, “this is going to become a go-to local hangout for Rollins students, isn’t it?”
“Come on, wouldn’t College Theo have hung out in a place like this if you had one? Especially if your super-hot prof lived above it? And his equally super-hot fiancé owned the place? Not to mention the fiancé’s brothers? It’s college queer boy heaven out here.”
I nod, letting my unease slide back enough to give Jordy a smile. Jordy knows I’m only a bit older than him, although we look the same age, if not younger than our years. We’ve been coworkers long enough to swap some college stories. Well, culinary school for me, but I let them believe what they want.
“I might have,” I allow, not giving the idea of what college/culinary school-me would have done much thought. That was a different person, and I don’t waste time going back over those years.
“I would for the eye-candy.” He sets the finished drinks on my tray.
“You aren’t wrong.” My gaze is drawn to Matt Mann, as it always is.
Objectively, Matt’s blond hair, blue-eyed face on a tall body, with a swimmer’s build is the very definition of handsome. Add the confidence and his sexy voice, and it’s more than handsome, it’s . . .something I have no business thinking about.
But I can’t remember the last time I was sexually aroused or even woke up with morning wood. Matt standing over me like he did earlier tonight made my stomach feel warm and fluttery. I wonder if that could lead to more if we ever let it go there. Just the thought makes me feel less like a guy with nothing.
The way Matt gives me his attention on those occasions I can’t disappear is confusing. What a flirt, too. I can’t even imagine what I would do if he said anything straight-up dirty instead of his flirty banter.
Disappearing when he’s around is so much easier because I can’t do anything with his flirtation, but it feels . . .good.
He’s never handsy like the guy at the table. Matt is gentler, and I’m too selfish to let go of something gentle.
“He flirts with you a lot.” Jordy helps me with the rest of the drinks. “Matt, I mean.”
“Just friends, Jordy.” Matt’s the closest I have, although Jordy is becoming one, too. Human friend, anyway.
Hoisting the heavy tray, I make my way to the table.
“Here you go.” The handsy guy makes room for me to slide in beside him and distribute the drinks so I’m not clogging the busy pathway behind me. I’ve already forgotten the name Jordy told me.
