“I’m working,” he corrects me. “You want something to drink?”
“Beer.”
Charlie nods. He knows exactly what I like. It has warmth blooming in my chest. Charlie knows everything about me. It’s why he’s been my best friend my entire life.
I watch as he grabs a pint glass and pulls the light amber liquid. I’m noticing things about him now that I’ve never noticed before. The way his biceps move when he draws the tap toward him. The happy smile on his face when a regular calls out to him.
It’s everything that makes him my Charlie.
When he sets it in front of me, he is fast to walk away.
“Charlie, can we please talk?” I call after him.
“Busy.” He shakes his head, not turning around.
Okay then.
This is going to be harder than I thought.
I have all night though. I’m not going anywhere. If Charlie thinks I’m going to leave, he doesn’t know how stubborn I can be.
I’ll close this bar down if I have to.
I watch as Charlie mixes and pours drinks. He works effortlessly with his crew behind the bar. It’s mesmerizing to watch.
“Can I get you anything?” someone pops up in front of me and asks.
Looking down, my glass is empty. “Sure. Another IPA.”
“You got it.”
When I go back to searching out Charlie, I see him with someone at the end of the bar. That perks my attention up.
I don’t miss the way the guy leans in closer to Charlie. His finger swirls along the rim of his glass as his eyes roam over Charlie’s face in what looks like a soft caress.
Whatever the guy says has Charlie throwing his head back in laughter before resting his hand on his forearm. Even from here, I can see how Charlie’s fingers brush over his skin. It pulls the guy’s attention to that spot.
I have no idea who the man he’s talking with is. Well, flirting. Based on how Charlie is reacting, they are definitely flirting.
What. The. Fuck.
A growl bursts out of my chest. I can’t get Charlie to talk to me for two minutes—his best friend that he’s known his entire life—and he’s paying attention to this fool?
And why do I want to be that guy?
Fuck that.
But before I can go interrupt them like a jealous boyfriend, Charlie is rounding the bar and linking hands with this guy and heading to the dance floor.
Again. What the fuck?
Shouldn’t he be working?
Perks of being the owner.I can hear Charlie’s words echoing in my head.
Fuck. I eye the man he’s dancing with. He’s attractive, there’s no doubt about that. Exactly Charlie’s type.
Dark hair. Dark eyes.
