Thirty minutes into my shift, a pink Red Bull and about three different granola bars hit the bar top in front of me. The kicker—the wrong redhead brought them.
“Dinner’s on, Jenni-cakes,” Beck beams. I never considered red curly hair and the freckles on his face that meet his slight facial hair to be my type, but Beck has made it my type.
My stomach turns in knots when I meet his bright green eyes. It really wouldn’t hurt for this man to be a little less attractive. What’s a girl got to do around here for him to lose some teeth with a fly ball?
I mask my attraction with a snarky look. “I didn’t ask you to bring me those—you don’t get the free drink.”
Beck raises an eyebrow as he slides onto the barstool. “Didn’t realize that was the prize for bringing you treats. I was more thinking of the company.”
Callie takes the last empty seat next to Beck, and Emma stands behind her as each of them drop another Red Bull and a jerky stick.
Callie clocks Beck’s stuff and hits his arm. “Hey, I didn’t know we had competition.”
“Yeah, he can afford his own drinks, he doesn’t count,” Emma adds.
I look at Beck, his smile bright, like fucking usual. “I don’t have to count, but I would like to.”
I slide the granola bars back to him, not having the complete strength to let go of the Red Bull. “He doesn’t count,” I parrot Emma’s words. Nothing Beck does counts because no matter how hot he is, I don’t want to date him—kind of, more like, I won’tallowmyself to date him.
Beck slides the snacks back toward me. “See, I went by Dex’s place on my way here. When I noticed Lucie had started a breakfast casserole, I had some questions. So, you’re going to take both drinks and eat at least two of these, or I call her and she’ll bring a whole-ass casserole to the bar. Your choice.”
Callie folds her lips into a thin smile while Emma snickers.
Of course, Lucie’s the mole. I love her immensely, but she’s been Team Beck since the start. I snatch them off the bar top as a man a few seats down calls for me. “I’ll take them, but when I get back I’m only serving Callie and Emma. You and the rest of the guys can order from Mia for the night.”
Beck stands up with a wink. “Eat, and we have a deal.”
Emma slides into the now empty seat. “Eat, and we have a deal,”she mocks. “Whatcha gonna do, Jen? If you don’t eat them, you won’t have to see Mia flirt with him all night.”
I hate how right she is. I don’t like watching anyone flirt with Beck, let alone Mia, who’s wicked smart and the soon-to-be owner of this freaking bar. Granted, I don’t hate his dismissals of her. It’s petty, but true. He never flirts back, never has second glances. He gives polite responses and tips, but nothing more.
The man a few seats down snaps at me again. I groan, what I wouldn’t give to quit this job. I’m damn near counting down the days. One more shift with my apprenticeship. Eight measly hours until my sleazy bosses can sign off for me to get my tattoo license, and then I’m out of there.
I may not be able to jump ship here just as quickly if I want to afford my rent for the shitty apartment I have, but hopefully I can cut back on some hours until I get my clientele up past the piercings I do.
I shove the bars and jerky into my apron and set the drinks on the back bar before going back to my friends.
“Listen, if you want those free drinks, then no more Beck talk. I’ll be right back.”
While thinking of the potential tip, I force a smile to my face. “How can I help you?”
Despite his impatience, the man takes his time looking me over before speaking. “Sorry if I interrupted you and your little boyfriend, but some of us have been at the office all day and would love a Manhattan.”
Swallowing every snarky remark I can think of, I take my time looking back at this asshat. He looks so familiar…I’m positive I’ve watched him slide his ring into his pocket before. I clock his hand and see the ring.
Alright, customer service voice, let’s push through.“One Manhattan coming up. Do you want to start a tab?”
The man sets his card on the table as his answer and barely spares me another glance. I guess with his first look over, he found I’m not his type.Poor me.
After starting his tab, I grab a short glass and some rye whiskey to start throwing his drink together.
“Ooo, the Blues men are here tonight,” Mia all but purrs as she comes up behind me. “Makes this double I’m working completely worth it.”
I roll my shoulders back and exhale. “Yeah, they’re ready to order when you are. I’ve got the girls in the middle of the bar.”
“Got it. Beck’s still single, right?” she asks.
I grit my teeth as I drop the toothpick of maraschino cherries in the glass. “Yep.”
