“Are they going to close it down or something?” Zack asks.
I think his concern is misplaced. This area is already gentrified, and the bar’s swimming in cash.
“No, no. He just wants to downsize,” Jenna says.
Oh shit.
“He thinks we have too many bartenders.”
And there are only two bartenders having this chat. My shoulders start to sag.
“Anyway…” She sighs. “That basically means one of you, because you’re the newest.”
I take a moment to process the news. I don’t want Zack to be forced out. He’s been trying to find a purpose in his life after his father’s death a few years ago, and he hasn’t done it yet. He’s working at bars and retail only because his grandfather would disapprove of idling. Not only that, he started at the bar a couple of weeks before I did. So he has seniority over me.
“You should stay,” Zack says.
What?I stare, unsure how to respond. Part of me wants to be selfish, but that would be wrong. I can’t do that to him.
“You need the money more than me,” he says.
“But how about you? I don’t want to take this from you when you need it to sort yourself out after your father’s death.”
He looks at Jenna. “Could you give us a couple of minutes alone? Please?”
“I’ll be out at the bar with Satoshi.” She gestures for us to go on and leaves.
Zack checks the door to make sure it’s shut firmly. “I’m not working here to sort myself out.”
“You’re not…?”
“No. Look, um…” He lets out a long breath.
“What? What is it? You can tell me anything.”
He lets out a short, nervous laugh. “Okay, then…” He shakes his head, looks up at the ceiling for a moment and then brings his eyes down to stare directly into mine. “I have feelings for you.”
It takes a moment for the meaning to percolate through. But when it does, I don’t know what to think.
“I’m not asking you to make a decision or anything. I just want you to think about giving us a chance. We’ve been friends for so long, Aspen. I know I can make you happy, and your grandfather would like me to be there for you.”
Oh, no.I squirm, hating that I’m going to end up hurting him. I’ve never seen him as boyfriend material, and he’ll be miserable if he’s with a woman who can’t reciprocate his feelings.
The door bursts open. “Well, that was touching.”
Grant?What’s he doing here?
He walks in. He’s in a suit, like he’s just had a business meeting. His dark eyebrows slant upward, three lines forming between them in disapproval. The firm, flat line of his mouth twists as he looks at Zack. A hint of superiority fleets through his gaze.
He stops next to Zack, creating a stark comparison. Grant is taller and broader, his shoulders wide, his muscled chest thick. The suit he’s wearing cost tens of thousands of dollars. He radiates a natural authority and assurance—of coursehe should always get what he wants.
I can’t tear my eyes from him. Even when he’s overbearing, he’s magnetic. I’ve never met any other man who could do this to me. It’s unfair that evolution did a number on me, so I’m only interested in an alpha-hole rather than a sweet guy who might be a little lacking in some areas.
“What are you doing back here? Employees only.” Zack bristles with hostility.
“A rule that the owner made, right? Well, that’s me now.”
That yanks me out of my reverie. “You’rethe new owner?”
