“No,”Ari answered for me.
“Uh,”I thought about it for a few seconds,“no.Not that I can think of.”
Sean grinned and crossed his arms, relaxing against the bar.“This is the easiest training I’ve ever done. Actually, what time is it? I think we’re off. I’ll let Richard know we’re heading out.”
“I’m here.” Richard emerged from the back as if on cue. “I heard you had a splendid first shift, Emy. It’s our bar’s tradition for the new hire to take a shot at the end of their first shift. Would you do the honors?” He smiled as I eagerly nodded.
“Emy, you shouldn’t drink,” Ari whispered.“I don’t think you’re back to normal yet.”She sighed when I waved off her concern.
“I’ve also been told whiskey is your favorite,” Richard said, grabbing a fancy bottle from the highest shelf while Nate came to join us. Richard lined up four shot glasses, taking advantage of the dead moment at the bar. He filled each and handed them off to the bartenders, then kept one for himself. “To our newest member.”
I did a happy dance before we all clanged glasses. “Bottoms up!” I gracefully downed my shot, giggling when the others grimaced or half-assed theirs.
Nate coughed before asking, “How’re you so good at that?” He was grimacing the most out of everyone.
“Easy! I barely have a gag reflex,” I said. “Anyway, I’m used to it. Iloveto swallow.”I smiled right at Dennis, who startedchokingonhisdrink. “Thanks for the shot, Richard. It was a fun first day. I think I’m gonna like this job.” I set my shot glass beside the others as Dennis regained composure.
“Good.” Richard awkwardly cleared his throat. “I’m glad. I send out schedules every Monday. This week you’ll have all the same shifts as Sean for training, but starting next week you’ll have your own shifts. Day two of training is tomorrow. See you soon.” He winked before heading in back.
“Why is he winking at you?” Ari frowned, but I only laughed.
“Joking, I’m sure.” I collected my earned tips before we all said bye to Nate and headed off into the night. Ari had driven herself and Sean, so Mateo, Dennis, and I piled into the backseat for a ride.
“I’m gonna be squished to death between you guys,” I complained. Ari and Sean were having a pleasant conversation up front while I was stuck between Dennis and Mateo. “Stop manspreading, you’re in my bubble.” I smacked Mateo’s leg back to his own side. “You too.” I tried to smack Dennis’ knee but he caught my wrist.His grip held when I tried to wrench my hand back.
“You really wanna do this?” he asked.
“You really wanna do this?” I mocked him. “Yes, fuckface. Move over.”
“No, I don’t think I will. I’m comfy. Actually…” He dropped my wrist and moved further into my space, pressing our thighs together. “Much better.” His laugh was shrill as I shoved his leg away once and for all.
“We’re here,” Ari’s singsong announcement saved me from dying of annoyance.
“Finally.” I climbed out the moment Mateo freed a path and followed Sean and Ari upstairs.“Iwant a snack,”I saidthe moment we went inside. I went to find one while Ari settled on the couch and the guys got situated in the dining room. It wasn’t until I came back with a bag of chips that I saw a huge pile of cash atop the table.“What’re you guys doing?”I tilted my head. The guys were sorting through the pile.“Want some?”I held the bag out to Ari, who’d come to stand beside me. She reached in to partake in the delicious snack.“Really, what’s with all the money?”I asked. Dennis was counting and dividing it into three uneven piles.
“Let’s just say we had a bet going.”Mateo smiled, making his adorable dimples show.
“A bet on what?”I narrowed my eyes at Dennis’resulting smirk. He kept counting while Sean looked up, his naturally black eyes landing on me.
“Would you be mad if we said it’s on you?”Seangrinnedas Mateo started laughing.“‘Cause it is. We bet on a few things.”
“Like what?”I asked. The bag of chips fell from my hand, but Ari caught it and kept eating.“What the hell did you guys bet on?”
“You. Can you not hear?”Dennis ignored my ‘rude!’ and kept counting.
“Is that why you stayed for my entire shift? I thought it was for moral support!”
“Am I not allowed to multitask?” He shot me a cunning smile.
“Iwas there for moral support,” Ari said.
“Thank you, Ari.”
“How many guys asked her out?” Dennis asked, ignoring us completely.
“I counted seven,”Sean said.“And awoman.”
“I saw two more while you were busy.And we can’t forget Benji.”Mateo snickered at my groan.
