Stella laughed. “You think that’s the key, don’t you?”
I looked at her. “He loves the way I smell. It makes him shiver. I’m just going in prepared.”
She laughed even harder. “You’re an idiot. He doesn’t care about your cologne or your cinnamon breath. Well, maybe he does care about that one with all the garlic, but it’syouhe likes. Not those things. Be yourself, but the nice version.”
I glared at my sister from another mister, but Stella threw her hands in the air as she got up. “What do I know? I’ve only been married for the last eighteen years.”
“I’m not trying to marry him. At least not yet. I need him to go back to flirting with me first. I don’t like being off-kilter like this.”
Stella smiled. “I know, sweetheart. Just don’t go in there like you’re a caveman staking your claim. You might turn him off even more.”
I just looked at her. “You’re just like Alejandro. I’ve got to find new friends.”
She laughed even harder, then took the three steps across my tiny office to hug me. “No, you don’t. You know we love you.”
I grumbled under my breath, but hugged her back. Then I spotted myAltoidstin on the floor. That was the sign I needed.
“Can you handle this tonight? Or do you need me to stay? I can come back at closing.”
Stella shook her head. “No, get out of here. I’ve got it. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
I leaned down and kissed her cheek, then rescued my mints under my desk.
“Thanks babe. I owe you one,” I said as I popped in two of the super cinnamon-y disks.
“You own me more than that, running off to New York and leaving me here.”
She was teasing, and I grinned at her as I hurriedly made my way out the door.
Fifteen minutes later,I used my key to the back door of the bar to let myself in. Every time I walked through that door, whether it be in or out, the kiss we shared there came charging back into my prefrontal cortex.
Striding into the space that was much larger than mine, I found my other best friend sitting at his desk talking to his daughter, Anna. She jumped up the moment she saw me, and bounded into my arms for a hug, just like she did when she was a little girl.
“Uncle Preston! What are you doing here?”
I picked her up off her feet and hugged her. “I came to see you, cupcake.” I winked at her father, who just raised an eyebrow at me as he shook his head in faux disgust. He knew the truth. I’d been whining to him for almost a week, but he refused to make Nick talk to me. Asshole.
“How did you know I was here?”
Anna Sanchez was a nineteen-year-old beauty and the spitting image of her mother, Eliana.
“I didn’t, but your dad said he was going to ask you to help out while Nick’s away.”
She beamed up at me with a smile that reached the silver eyes that matched her mother’s. “Yeah, it’s a bit more than I’ve been doing—and I still can’t serve—but I can take orders and help ring up the tabs. I’m hoping Dad will let me work through the holidays. Don’t you think that’s a good idea, Uncle Preston?”
Anna grinned at her dad.
“I think that sounds great. I’m sure Ben and the others can take care of serving if you take care of the money. And if he won’t keep you on, come see me. I pay more anyway.”
Anna laughed, knowing I was teasing, then looked over at her dad. “Is it okay for me to go out there?”
Alejandro smiled at her. “Sure, baby. Just stay out of the way so they don’t run you over.”
“Dad,” she grumbled, then propped her hands on her hips. “I’m not that short.”
He laughed. “I know, baby. When things get hopping, they’re going to be really busy. If the popcorn slows down, you could help deliver food for them. That would help them a lot.”
She nodded excitedly. “Yeah, I can do that. Thanks, Dad. See you later, Uncle Preston.”
