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She stops the tap and takes another empty mug while shaking her head at me. “Is he cute?”
“Sooo cute,” I say, collapsing onto the bar. “I love him.”
“Do you really want to mix business and pleasure?” she asks as she grabs the two full beers. “This can be a big opportunity for you.”
She walks away and heads toward the tables with the beers. That’s the way conversations go when you work in bars and restaurants. They’re always in fragments. You start talking about something and mid-sentence, the person just walks away to bring a plate, refill a drink, or check on a customer. I know as soon as she returns, I’m going to have to answer.
I sigh as I head behind the bar and take off my coat. I put my apron on and wash my hands. It’s not very busy tonight, which means I’ll be obsessing about my meeting with Austin tomorrow. I already miss him. I’m so pathetic.
Lauren returns with a couple of empty mugs.
“I hear what you’re saying,” I say before she can get started again. “But if I meet the man of my dreams, isn’t that more important than selling one measly house?”
“A four million dollar house? Your first house in a budding new career? For a professional athlete who probably has two phones filled with girls on speed dial?”
My stomach drops. My heart feels like it’s ripping in two.
“I’m sorry,” she says, taking a deep breath. “That was harsh. I’m just looking out for you. I want this to work out. I know you’re going to make an amazing real estate agent.”
I’m having my doubts about that. I showed two houses so far in my illustrious career. One, I almost let a rare parrot escape and the second, I was practically chugging beers at a keg party for teenagers.
What’s going to happen tomorrow? Sex in the master bedroom?
“What are you smiling about?” Lauren suddenly asks accusingly. “You’re grinning from ear to ear! What are you thinking?”
“Nothing,” I say as I get to work. I hurry along the bar to a guy sitting with an almost empty beer. “Can I get ya a refill?”
Lauren stays and hangs out while I continue my shift. At midnight, it gets really quiet. There’s only a handful of people hanging out.
She’s nursing a martini and we’re talking about what kind of plants she should get for her new office when the door opens and Austin walks in.
I almost don’t recognize him. He’s wearing dark jeans, a white T-shirt, and an old black leather bomber jacket. His hair is all messy in a stylish kind of way.
He looks gorgeous.
“Hellooo,” Norah whispers under her breath when she sees him. “Wait, is that?”
“Yup!”
I have a big grin on my face as he comes over, smiling that sexy smile. “Hey, Austin! Great game!”
“Thanks,” he says as I walk around the bar to greet him.
I step on my toes and his hand slides onto my hip as I kiss his cheek. I can still feel his fingertips burning my flesh as I head back around the bar.
“Sit. Please.”
He pulls out a stool, leaving one empty one between him and Lauren. I laugh when I see Lauren’s face.
I grab a rag and wipe the bar, leaning in close to Lauren as I wipe. “Still think selling a house is more important?” I whisper.
She just shakes her head, her eyes practically popping out of her face as she stares at him. “No, I don’t.”
“What can I get you, superstar?” I ask as I throw down a coaster in front of him.
“A beer would be great. Something red if you got it.”
“Coming right up.”
