out all the stops,”

“Yep.”

“It was nothing, really.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Fine. Did he ask you out this weekend?” she probed.

“No. Why? Do you want to do something?” I asked, hoping to distract her.

“Ugh. Can’t. I have family stuff” She seemed super disheartened. Pulling into the parking lot of work, she said, “Here we are. Let’s get in and get the party started.” Her mood brightened up instantly.

“So, it’ll be over sooner,” I added, under my breath.

“Hello, ladies,” Joe said as we entered the bar. “How are you?”

“Ready to go. How are you?” I replied, sounding chipper for his benefit.

“That’s what I like to hear. Oh, Vanessa, go see Brad at the bar, please. He’s got some good news for you.” Joe pointed toward the bar.

“Okay.” My perplexity sounded more like a question.

I headed toward Brad. “Hey, Joe said you have news for me?”

“Well, hello to you too.”

“Stop stalling. What’s up?” I playfully slapped his right arm.

“Ouch,” he teased, holding his left arm instead of his right. “We have an opening at the bar. Joe and I thought you’d be interested.”

“Well, what does it entail?”

“For starters, more money.” He explained the rest of the details of the job and the management responsibilities.

“Sure, I’ll take it, considering I do most of that for way less pay when you decide you need to take a day off.”

He laughed loudly. “Good. I’ll start training you later tonight. Now, go make me some money.” Brad lightly hit my thigh with his dishcloth as I reached the pass-through of the serving area.

I grabbed my serving tray, counted the starting funds and then headed for the floor.

“Dream about me last night?” I felt the warmth of Damien’s breath on the back of my neck.

My frame shuttered in the most delightful way that left me aching for every part of him.

“No, I didn’t,” I said, stumbling over my own feet as I attempted to storm off with some dignity intact. I wasn’t going to let know that he affected me in any way at all. Somehow, I knew he wasn’t fooled.

“Sure, you did,” he whispered in my ear, yet not standing remotely close to me.

As I cleaned a table, I peeked over my shoulder to see he was still in the same spot. He appeared to be frustrated. His face was pointed up toward the Heavens. His hands were covering most of his face; lips moving.

I shook my head and moved on. I could think of nothing but him and my dream from the night before. I wanted that feeling back. I imagined floating in the sky and kissing his lips. This was the guy I had dreamt about my entire life. I craved him. Well, nothing had changed since I laid eyes on him. My feelings for him had just gotten more intense. I was having issues ignoring the explosions within, forgetting why I even tried to fight him off in the first place. His pull on me was too powerful. He had put his claim on me in the most basic, animalistic way… desperate need for only him. I rolled my eyes, exhaling a stored-up breath of air and proceeded to customers waiting to order.

I took a few orders on my way back to the service area. Business had been slow so far. A busy night would have come in handy to help me clear my head. I spat the drink orders to Brad.

“Deliver these, and then Julie will take over.” Brad’s tone was very matter-of-fact and all business.

Purring in my ear, Demien said, “Can’t wait to trap you behind the bar.”

A giggle accidentally escaped. I really hoped he hadn’t heard. How embarrassing. I said nothing in response. I delivered the drinks and reported to the service area.

“Count out your riches. You’re done out there for the night.”

“You got it, Brad.” After I closed out my till and put my tips safely in my locker, I reported to the bar.

“Okay, here is the menu. It has every drink listed in alphabetical order. And here is the recipe packet,” Brad began.

I was familiar with the setup of the bar. I had played bar back and bartender a few times recently. He walked me through everything in the front of the bar, letting me mix a few drinks. Then we went to the back. Brad showed me the extra storage of supplies and he walked me through changing the kegs and soda canisters. I wasn’t familiar with the back. Joe had always taken care of everything that required heavy lifting for me.

“Okay, Ves, that is about all I have to show you for now. I know most of this stuff you have done before. You need to get quick at it and know everything like clockwork. It is fast paced. I always take the slowest days off and you have Joe and the bar backs to help you out. You won’t always have much help back here.”

“I get it.” I clenched my jaw. Imaging this place on a Friday night was intimidating. He was right; I would be lost.

“Turn that frown upside down. Come on, Ves, we’ve got your back. I will make sure you are good to go before you will be by yourself. You will still wait tables during the busy times. It won’t be until after Halloween that you will bartend exclusively.”

“Okay,” I said. My nerves were calming down a little.

“I’m going to have you work with Demien. Some shifts you may have to tend the entire bar, including the bar back duties.”

I gave him a look of dread. “That means that I’ll have to do my own dishes. I hate dishes.” The bar back kept things clean, opened the beer bottles and restocked the supplies. The nights when we were short-handed or just plain slow

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