“Actually, we were just talking, and now I really do need to get back up to the bar,” I insist, finding myself smiling. While I don’t feel the same attraction to Cade as I do Collin, I can appreciate his lighthearted, fun nature.
“You do. The natives are starting to get restless,” Cade confirms, glancing toward the bar.
I pass by him and quickly make my way to help Jani. “Sorry,” I mutter before jumping right in and filling orders.
She doesn’t seem fazed by my absence, nor does she appear frazzled to be busy. She just goes with the flow and fills drink orders as quickly as possible. I like her and hope she sticks around. She’s a hard worker with a good head on her shoulders.
Recognizing we’re getting low on a few different beers in the cooler, I start making a mental list of what needs brought up the first chance we get. Movement catches out of the corner of my eye, and I stop what I’m doing as Collin appears behind the bar, carrying cases of beer. Without being asked—and without being on the clock—he gets to work on stocking the coolers with beer from the back cooler.
When he looks my way, I offer a grin full of appreciation, and all I can hope is this is us crossing the bridge of understanding. I think if he sticks with me for the next thirty days, he’ll like what I have planned. Of course, if he doesn’t and he leaves, there’s no skin off my back. I’m not doing this for anyone but myself, andthe only person who needs to be happy with what I do at the end of the day is me.
By the time it slows down enough for Jani and me to catch a breath, I head out and start clearing tables. The crowd has thinned as we approach eleven, but there’s still some groups of patrons enjoying their evening. I pull a large trash can on wheels toward the pool table where Collin, Cade, and their friends play.
“So, you must be Lizzie, huh?”
I turn and find a woman with ocean-blue eyes and lighter blond hair sipping a mixed drink and watching me. “I am.”
“I’m Charli,” she states with a friendly smile.
“It’s her birthday,” Cade announces, coming over and giving her a hug.
“Well, happy birthday,” I tell her.
“Thanks,” she says, glancing over at the table, where Collin is lining up his shot. My eyes follow hers, and I’m treated to a nice view of him bending over. When he makes the shot, Cade hollers in victory, while two others show their displeasure. “Sorry, my family can be a little loud.”
I can’t help but laugh. “No worries. This isn’t exactly a quiet place.”
“You know Collin and Cade, right?” When I nod, she continues, “The other two idiots are Camden, my youngest pain in the ass brother, and his bothersome friend, Quinn.”
Grinning widely, I reply, “I have two younger brothers and a sister, and a whole slew of cousins, so I understand.”
Charli raises her glass in salute. “Lizzie, you and I are gonna be good friends, I can tell.”
I don’t know why, but I believe her, and the thought of having friends here in Cooper Town makes my anxiety over my big move lessen even more. Not that I didn’t think I’d make new friends eventually, but I’m already getting along with everyone I’ve met.
Except Collin.
The jury’s still out on him.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Collin
“I like her,” my sister says when I drop into the seat beside her.
I just stare at her in question, waiting for her to elaborate.
“Lizzie.”
My annoyance shoots heavenward at the mention of her name. “You don’t know her.”
“No, but I know people, and she seems like a good egg,” my sister reasons.
I watch as Camden and Quinn rack the balls, since they lost the previous game. Of course, my silence is all my sister needs to continue to talk.
“She comes from a big family too. Sounds like she’s the oldest with a couple of younger brothers and a sister,” Charli announces, taking a final sip of her drink.
