I take his extended hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Collin mentioned you may come.”
“Well, I had to meet the woman who’s finally put a smile on my friend’s face,” he states with a wink. I feel my cheeks flush as he grins knowingly at me. “I see the feeling is mutual.”
I glance at Collin, who doesn’t seem to have any of the worry or stress lines around his mouth and eyes like he used to. He looks relaxed, confident, and dare I say it, happy. “Well, he’s a great guy. I’m enjoying spending time with him.”
“Anyway, I know you’re busy, but I wanted to say hey. Hopefully we’ll be able to get to know each other soon.”
“You still crashing at my place?” Collin asks his friend.
“Yep, if the offer stands. Drake and Emilio are over in the corner. I was just heading up to get us our first round of drinks.”
“Well, what can I get you? First round’s on me,” I reply, grateful to meet one of Collin’s close work friends.
“That’s not necessary, but we’ll take three Night Crüe bottles, please.”
Nodding, I slip behind the bar and grab the drinks. I twist off the tops and place them on the corner, where Collin and Gio are standing. “Thanks for these,” he says, handing a twenty to his friend. “Tip jar.” With a wink, he takes the drinks and heads toward his friends, easily getting lost in the mass of people.
“I emptied the tip jar in your office,” Charli states, coming to stand beside me. “It was overflowing, and I didn’t want to start having money spilling out on the floor. Cade gave me the keys, so I slipped into your office and dumped it all in your top drawer.”
I offer a warm smile. “Thank you. I appreciate your help.”
She waves off my thanks. “Happy to do it.”
Just then, the song changes to a classic Mötley Crüe song, one that instantly brings a smile to my face. It’s one of my dad’s favorites, and I remember listening to it a lot when I was younger. Hell, I’ve heard it a ton even when I was older. On Friday and Saturday nights, he would play a Crüe hit at the stroke of eleven. I’ve even heard he used to get up on the bar and dance, something I’ve not witnessed.
Suddenly, Cade hollers, “That’s my jam!”
Before I know what’s happening, he jumps up on the bar and the crowd roars to life. All I can do is stand here—laughing along—as he dances on the top of my bar, careful not to spill anyone’s drink. I pull out my phone and hit record, needing to document this moment to send to my dad later. Of course,dozens of phones are out and pointing at the bar, recording Cade’s moment of freedom. After getting about twenty seconds of his antics, I stop recording and just watch him dance.
“I’m sorry,” Collin says in my ear over the band and cheers.
I sigh, feeling his hand snake around my waist and leaning into his touch just a bit. “It’s fine. In fact, it’s sort of poetic, isn’t it? One of the big things that made my dad’s place famous on the weekends. Now, your brother is continuing the tradition here, at my place.”
“I’m not sure it needs to be a tradition, but as long as you’re okay with it, I won’t go rip him off the bar and pummel him for making a mess.”
“I’m fine with it,” I tell him, leaning my head back and resting it on his shoulder. I don’t even realize I’m doing it until I feel eyes turn our way. Suddenly, I recognize how close Collin and I are, the fact we’re touching in a less than professional way.
But do I care?
I realize immediately I don’t.
I like this man. I’m enjoying spending my time with him, dating him, so if people see that, who cares? As long as we’re fine with the status of our relationship, it shouldn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
Cade pulls out some killer air guitar moves, making the crowd cheer and sing along. When the song finally reaches the end, he throws his arms up in the air and hollers, “Don’t forget to tip the band and your bartenders!” He reaches down and grabs the large jar we use for tips and holds it out. To my shock, money is shoved inside.
“Look.”
I turn to where he’s pointing and notice people making their way up to where the band is set up, and even though I can’t see their actions through the masses, I assume they’re throwing money in their tip jar too.
“Thank you all for coming out tonight. I think this is one of the biggest crowds we’ve ever had,” the lead singer states, earning cheers. “And a huge thanks to Lizzie for having us here. I saw on her social media page she’s having a paint night coming up and has a few other fun events on her calendar, so be sure to check those out and give a new business owner your support. We’re gonna take a quick break and be back in fifteen.”
Collin drops his hand and moves over to the jukebox. He cranks up some Reba, and the entire place starts to sing and dance. All I can do is stand there and take it all in again. Well, just not for too long though, because the moment the band stops playing, the bar picks up.
I jump to it, filling drinks with Collin. Cade and Camden both make sure coolers are filled before heading out to collect empties and throw them away. I feel incredibly blessed and supported, something I thought would take more time to build. I just moved here and purchased this old bar less than two months ago, and here I am, surrounded by a close group of friends who are willing to do whatever it takes to help me succeed.
That’s love.
My throat tightens as my eyes automatically move to Collin. He’s pouring a draft beer, listening to what someone is saying. There’s a hint of a smile on his lips as he delivers the glass to the patron. He leans forward to hear what the guy is saying before his eyes slam into mine. He replies to the man, but keeps his gaze locked on me. It feels intimate, like maybe he’s talking about me.
