“I can imagine,” he says as he cuts into an orange. “Dating my best friend’s little sister; that’s breaking bro code, I think. Honestly, I think it’s breaking a lot of codes.”
I roll my eyes at Reggie. “You’re not helping,” I say, and Reggie just smiles.
“Hey,” a familiar voice comes from across the bar. “What does a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?”
I smile before I even look up because I’d know Darlene’s voice anywhere. “What are you doing here?” I ask, rounding the bar so I can give her a hug.
“Well, you told me it was your first real shift, so I decided to come see what this place is all about. And give you a hard time, of course,” she smiles, and we hug again.
“So, what do you think?” I ask as I go back behind the bar again.
“It’s swanky as hell, girl. I am loving it. Also, you look good back there,” she says, taking a seat at the bar.
“Yeah?” I ask.
“Yeah. It fits. It feels right,” she says, looking down at the drink list.
“Well, I love it. Also, I came up with all the drinks on that list, and we make a specialty too. Just tell me the mood you’re in, and I can make you a drink to match it.”
“Well, let’s see,” she says, setting the menu down. “What’cha got for a girl who hasn’t gotten laid in almost a month, just started her period, and is also feeling a little left out because her best friend’s like so chaotic that she doesn’t have time to text said girl very often.”
“Well, I’m thinking spirit forward, something tangy for the attitude, but also something that finishes sweet. Because your best friend is sorry that she hasn’t been around much. Between the new job, trying to convince my brother not to hate me, and trying to navigate falling for my brother’s best friend, I’ve been a bit distracted. So, this tangy, sweet, knock you on your ass drink is on the house.”
She smiles, and I whip up a cocktail to beat all cocktails and pass it to her. Then I pour the leftovers into a shot glass and clink it to her glass. “To friends,”
“To friends,” she says. “And to love. May we both figure it out.”
We drink our drinks, and there is a pleasant lull for a moment, giving me a much-needed breather. My eyes sweep the room, and I see Jaylen towards the front, near the stage wherethe band is playing. I don’t see Ash anywhere, and I realize that I’ve been so busy I haven’t seen him in a hot minute.
I pull my phone out to text him, but just before I click send, the lead singer of the band taps the mic to get everyone’s attention.
“Hello everyone. Are we having a good night?”
The crowd cheers and claps, and I set my phone down so I can clap too, not wanting to be rude.
“Isn’t this place the best? I mean, for real,” the girl goes on. “I think it’s safe to say this might be the hottest spot in the Mile-High City right now,” she says, and the crowd erupts again. “It’s all thanks to the owners, Jaylen and Asher. Speaking of Asher, he has a few words to say before we get the music rolling again.”
Asher comes out of the crowd and steps onto the stage. He takes the mic from the woman with the ruby red lips and matching sequined dress. Even with the slick band behind him, Ash is center stage in every way. He looks good wearing those black slacks, a burgundy button down, and windsor tie. And I mean,good!
“Don’t worry,” he says into the mic with that charming smile of his. It just about knocks me off my feet. “I won’t take up too much of your evening, but I do have a few things I need to say. First of all, thank you. From the bartenders to the wait staff, the chefs and the designers, and everyone behind the scenes, the Gatsby Underground has been a bigger hit than I could have ever imagined. I am so grateful for each and every person in this room, including those of you that came here to have a good time. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it? Getting together with people you love, sharing a meal, enjoying a drink, and letting the rest of the world fade into the background while you enjoy yourself with the company around you. The restaurant industry isn’t solely about food. It’s not about the best drinks, although I think it’s safe to say we do have the best drinks, am I right?”
The room agrees with him, and Ash looks over at me and winks before going on. My heart skips a beat in my chest. I’m so proud of him. I am so in love with him. Instinctively, I glance over at Jaylen, who is still standing near the stage with his friends around him and a drink in hand. He’s smiling, and it looks genuine.
“The industry is about people. At the end of the day, even if your food is spectacular and your drinks are award-winning, even if the ambiance, location, and everything else is perfect…it means nothing if it doesn’t attract people. We want people to feel taken care of and valued…we want our guests to lose track of time and place and want to come back again. So to everyone who had a hand in making our first night a success, thank you!”
Ash takes a moment while everyone claps. He’s smiling and looks so happy, but he also looks a little nervous. His eyes dart to Jaylen, who grins and gives a single nod of his head.
What are they up to?
A moment later, his eyes lock on mine. “There is one last thing I want to say before I let you go back to your evening. One last thing I want to do. Harper. Will you come up here with me, please?”
My heart stops in my chest, and I feel every eye in the room gravitate toward me.
“What in the world?” Darlene asks with a jaw-dropped smile. I am still staring at Asher, who is just standing on the stage and smiling at me.
“Girl, get up there,” Reggie says, and starts clapping. It begins a domino effect, and everyone in the room starts clapping. I realize I have no choice but to put down my bar towel and weave my way to the front.
Ash extends a hand and guides me up the two stairs to the small stage.
