“You got it.”
I prepare a cosmo and dirty martini then slide them towards her. “Are you having fun?” she asks, taking the drinks.
“I actually am.” My mouth spreads into a grin. “I mean, I’m looking forward to our dance later, and I wish you were back here with me, but this feels good.”
“Good,” she says. Reaching forward, she fists my shirt and pulls me into a kiss.
“What was that for?” I ask.
“Those girls over there have been eyeing you since you jumped back here. I wanted to make sure they knew you were mine.”
She turns her head and throws them a borderline evil smile.
“Come find me when you’re done,” she says, disappearing into the crowd with both drinks.
Tony and I continue to work, and the crowd slowly dies down. I’m halfway through making an order of four espresso martinis when I hear someone clear their throat. I look up to find Jerry standing before me.
“Tony,” he yells. “Take over this order for Tanner. He and I need to talk.” Tony nods and walks over to begin making the remaining two drinks.
I dry my hands, round the bar, and then follow him to hisoffice. He leads me through the door and leans up against the edge of his desk.
“You’re a natural,” he says, crossing his arms.
“It’s not that hard,” I say.
“No, but it’s not easy. Why did you never call me about the bar?”
I shrug. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I had an opportunity to impress my dad, and I took it even though, deep down, I never really wanted it, and I kept hoping I could do both, and then it felt too late.”
“That’s what that girlfriend of yours said.”
“You talked to Wren?”
“I did. She called up here the other day and left a message for me to call her back. Told me she had a potential buyer for the bar.”
I chuckle. “Did she?”
“Yes, so you can imagine my surprise when she said you were the potential buyer. Especially since I hadn’t heard from you.”
“I’ve been regretting that lately,” I say, honestly. “I’m sorry.”
“She told me that too.” He smiles.
“Of course she did.”
“Well,” he says, “I love this bar, and I’m not going to sell it to just anyone. When I offered it to you in August, it was because you are currently the only person I trust enough to take it over. And after watching you help out Tony tonight, I’ve never been more sure. The bar was yours three months ago, it’s yours today, and while I hope you make a decision sooner, it’ll still be yours a year from now.”
“You haven’t looked for other potential buyers?”
“No, because I’ve learned to trust my gut, and my gut was telling me you’d call me. I know you want this, and nothing would make me prouder than having you take over my legacy.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m honestly at a loss of words. I was sure I had missed my chance.”
He shakes his head. “So what will it be? You want it, or are you going to make me lose a year of my retirement while I wait on you to make a decision.”
My shoulders shake with laughter, and I turn over his offer for a short moment, knowing without a doubt what my answer should be. “You have yourself a deal,” I say, putting out my hand and shaking his.
“We were hoping you’d say that,” Wren says from the door.
