We’re pretty busy for the next three hours, and it takes both of us to keep up with the crowd. Things have definitely picked up over the last few weeks, thanks to the changes she’s made. And she’s created a lot of positive buzz already with the announcement of the first live band next Saturday. Lizzie printed flyers and hung them around the bar and has been featuring a lot of that era of music on the jukebox tonight.
When the door opens once more, the younger version of Lizzie walks in with bright eyes and a wide smile. “I’m here!” she bellows, pulling everyone’s attention.
“Oh Lord,” Lizzie replies, shaking her head.
The two remaining regulars all turn to the bubbly blonde. “Little Lizard!” Gus hollers, offering a wide smile.
“Oh, I like that,” Emberlyn states, coming up to the two older men and giving fist bumps.
I glance over at Lizzie and spot her typing on her phone. She mentioned last night, when I stopped by and escorted her to her apartment upstairs, her dad wanted her to let him know the second Emberlyn arrived. I helped her make a few final touches up there before I let her show her appreciation for the massage.
She was on her knees, and every time I close my eyes, I see her.
It’s fucking glorious.
But now isn’t the time to pull up those mental visuals.
“Hi, Collin,” Emberlyn sings as she bounces up to the bar, bag slung over her shoulder.
“Hey, Em. Can I get you a drink?” I offer, drying off my hands from washing some of the glasses.
“No thanks.” When she spots her sister, she runs around the bar, drops her bag, and throws her arms around her shoulders. “I’ve missed you so much!”
“Same, Em. Same,” Lizzie whispers just loud enough I can hear over the noise.
“I can’t wait to get to work on the stuff we were talking about earlier. I brought my laptop so I can log into all your social media accounts and start making videos.”
Lizzie grins fondly. “Okay, but first up, run upstairs and shower.”
Emberlyn makes a face.
“You’re covered in dirt. Did you slide here?”
Her sister laughs. “No, but I did have two stolen bases, plus a slide home to score the final run of the game.”
“Of course you did.”
“Anyway, I guess I can run up and shower real quick and get into comfy clothes. But then I’ll be back down here,” Emberlyn states with a pointed look, as if daring her sister to tell her she has to stay in the apartment.
“Technically, you’re not supposed to be here after nine, but I suppose I can make an exception, since you’re family.”
“And practically an employee. You can pay me with those brownies from the diner. Oh, and iced coffees. I saw this cute little coffee joint at the end of the block.”
“My sister loves that place. It’s her favorite,” I interject into the conversation.
“Well, tell her to meet me in the morning for coffee. But not too early. It’s Saturday, and I need my beauty sleep.”
I nod, knowing Charli will be thrilled at the invite. Especially since she does nothing but sing Lizzie’s praises.
“We can see what time Charli goes to work tomorrow. Maybe she can meet us for coffee,” Lizzie says, her emerald eyes sparkling.
“Charli? Her name is Charli? I love it!”
“It’s short for Charlotte,” I tell her.
“Hey, I almost forgot. I have a surprise for you upstairs.”
“A surprise?” Emberlyn asks, her matching green eyes sparkling.
