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CHAPTER11
Quinn
“Holy shit, it’s busy here,”Andy mutters as she comes up to the bar and sits on one of the only free stools.
I can't help my smile as I look around and see my pub full for the first time since I took it over. Granted, it’s Valentine's Day, and our singles night is an amazing success.
“I never expected this,” I say, getting a few drinks ready as Jess waits at the other end of the bar. “You okay, Jess? Need someone else to help you in your section?” I ask, seeing the dark circles under her eyes.
We've all been working since bright and early this morning, but everyone here knows what's at stake. I had a meeting and explained what was going on. Everyone was shocked, some cried, but overall, they all knew what we needed to do tonight.
“No, I'm good. Tips are worth it,” she says with a wink. I hand her drinks, and she's off, smiling like she hasn't been on her feet for the past eight hours.
“So, what's up with you and Wes?” Andy asks, looking behind her at the man in question.
He’s standing by the door, monitoring everyone coming and going. He wanted to do the security for the event for free, but I told him to fuck off, so we came to a compromise, and he told me I could pay with orgasms. I threw a pillow at his face when he said that, but in the end, he's here and said we can figure out payment after the night is over. I know what that means. In his mind, that means he's going to get his way, but he forgets I have Irish blood in me, and I won't go down without a fight.
“We're having a good time,” I lie, knowing full well I'm falling in love with him. But I can't say that out loud yet.
“Yeah, right, and I’m not single,” Andy says while rolling her eyes.
Just as she opens her mouth to ask more intrusive questions, Wes comes over and grabs the water I have for him behind the bar. But before he takes a sip, he leans over the bar and pulls me in for a very quick but very rough kiss that causes every limb in my body to go numb.
“Hey, Angel,” he murmurs against my lips.
I sigh, wondering when this night will end so that I can take him home and have my way with him. I've spent almost every night with Wes. We stay at his place most of the time since it's quiet and there aren't any nosy neighbors or best friends.
“You were saying?” Andy arches an eyebrow, and I throw the towel draped over my shoulder in her direction. It lands in front of her as she winks, spinning on the stool and leaving Wes and me alone.
“What was that about?” he asks, watching Andy go, who hasn't taken her eyes off us and is now walking backward.
“Just Andy being nosy as per usual.” I lean over the bar and take his mouth, loving the way his smell overwhelms me.
He pulls back a little. “Hey, I wanted to talk to you about something after the pub closes, okay?”
I tilt my head, wondering what that could mean, but before I can ask, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see that it's the bank.
“I have to take this,” I say. Wes nods as my hands start shaking, and I leave the bar and make my way back toward my office.
“Hello?” I answer, shutting my office door and breathing a sigh of relief at the quiet that surrounds me.
“Hello, Miss O’Malley, this is Brad Mitchell from Western Bank, and I wanted to talk to you about your overdue loans against O'Malley's Pub.”
I take a deep breath and look toward the ceiling. From the tone of his voice, I already know that whatever is about to come out of his mouth isn't going to be the outcome I want.
“Mr. Mitchell,” I start.
“Call me Brad.”
“Okay, Brad. I know I'm a few months behind. But I'm currently having an event tonight that I believe will generate the funds I need to pay off that loan.”
His intake of breath and frustrated sigh tell me what's coming. I sit on my desk and bow my head.
“Quinn, someone has already offered to pay the loan in full.”
I suck in a breath, knowing that my dream to deal with this myself is crumbling beneath me.
“The good news is that this buyer wants to meet you, so maybe you can work out a deal to keep the pub as is?” His tone is hopeful, but my heart knows different.
