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“Alright, boys, I’ll be back in a second with your drinks.” I hustled away to fetch beverages, fervently wishing they’d sat down in Annabelle’s section instead.
“Order up!” Stanley hollered at me through the window, even though I was less than a foot away. I really needed to get a new gig.
“Got it, Stan.” I plucked the plates of food from the window, carrying them over to table four, then returned to grab Liam’s to-go order.
“Here ya go,” I said, plopping the Styrofoam containers down in front of him.
“Great, thank you.”
He leaned forward and I tried hard not to stare at his perfect lips, parted ever so slightly, wondering how they’d feel on my skin.
For fuck’s sake, Macy, get it together.
“How much do I owe you?” he asked, pulling his wallet out.
I waved my hand in the air. “Nothing. I’ll deduct it from my repair bill. Or you can call it a delivery fee. Whichever.”
Liam gave me a soft smile. “Listen, Macy—”
Annabelle bustled by just then, knocking me hard on the hip and ogling Liam, sizing him up. “Those construction workers are real thirsty, Mace. You better hustle or your tips are gonna su-uck,” she sing-songed oh-so-helpfully. She didn’t even bother looking at me, her eyes still fixed on Liam.
“I gotta run. Enjoy your lunch,” I said, grabbing as many of the drink orders as I could. “And thanks again for helping me with my car. I’ll pay you back, swear.”
“It’s fine, no rush.” Liam stood to go, unfurling his body from the stool and picking up his food.
He really was gorgeous. If I weren’t so busy, I would at least contemplate hitting that, even if it only happened once.
“See ya,” I said, lifting my tray.
“Bye.” He tilted his head and I plodded over to the construction workers, praying they’d at least tip me well because I definitely needed the money.
Just another day in paradise...
* * *
Friday nightat the Rowdy was always busy and this Friday proved to be no different. I clocked into my shift two hours earlier and hadn’t even had a second for a bathroom break. I’d slung more drinks tonight than I had all week. Good news for my tip jar, bad news for my aching back. And I hated to admit it, but my eyes kept flicking over to the door, wondering if a certain gorgeous visitor would drop by. So far, he hadn’t, and I didn’t know what was worse—the fact he hadn’t come in or the fact that I cared.
“Why do you keep staring at the door?” Steph asked, chomping hard on a wad of bubblegum.
I shrugged off her comment, stealthily averting my eyes, my cheeks burning. She never noticed when people wanted drinks...
“What are you talking about?” I shoveled ice into a lowball glass, pouring vodka and lime juice in, topping it with seltzer water.
“C’mon, Mace. You’re so obvious!” Steph cried over the thumping of the music.
“I have no idea what you’re saying right now.” I rolled my eyes at her, sliding the vodka soda across the bar. “You wanna start a tab, Ricky?”
Ricky nodded and I jotted it down on my notepad as he strode away towards the pool tables.
“I heard you two were together this morning.” Steph leaned against the bar, her back to the patrons, arms crossed over her chest.
“What? Who?” I asked, playing dumb.Damn Peachtree Grove rumor mill...
“You and Liam. Don’t play dumb with me.”
“Who told you that?” I narrowed my eyes at her, heat rising in my cheeks.
“A reliable source.” She smacked her gum louder, blew a large pink bubble. Popping it with her tongue, the bubble deflated.
