chapter 19
RILEY
GRINNING TO MYSELF, I hand in his order, then head back to him. I know that he doesn’t like changing his section, which actually makes no sense to me. He seems so easygoing, so adaptable and laid-back, I don’t know why he doesn’t like trying new things.
“How’s your morning been?” I ask him.
“Not bad. My client didn’t show up, so I had some spare time to catch up on other things,” he tells me, reaching out and taking my hand. He turns over my wrist and runs his finger over one of the charms on my old bracelet. “Horseshoe? Are you superstitious?”
“Not really,” I explain. “Growing up I used to ride horses in my free time. I used to enter riding competitions and stuff like that. My dad bought me the charm on my sixteenth birthday.”
“Do you still ride?” he asks, his thumb now rubbing circles along the inside of my wrist, sending shivers up my spine. I forget about the hustle and bustle around me, Hunter becoming my only focus. I don’t know how he does this, just brings a calm to me.
“I haven’t in a long time,” I say, smiling sadly. “I should. I’d like to. I don’t have much free time anymore. How about you? I don’t imagine you have much free time with such a demanding career.”
“Not really, to be honest,” he tells me. “I work a lot, but I can be flexible if I need to be. I try and spend time with my friends and family when I can. I love what I do, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t define me.”
I like that he’s family oriented.
“And you obviously go to the gym,” I point out, eyes raking over the muscles I can see straining through his white shirt.
“What makes you say that?” he asks, flashing me a cocky look.
I roll my eyes, regretting feeding his ego, but unable to stop myself I reach out and squeeze his rock-hard bicep. “Just an educated guess.”
“I try to go after work every other day, just depends what time I finish. How about you?” he asks, glancing over my body. “What do you do that keeps you looking like that?”
“I’m not a gym kind of woman,” I tell him with a grin. “I tried going a few times, but I prefer to do hikes, or scenic walks. I like walking or jogging along the beach if the weather is good. If worse comes to worst I jog around the block with Bear before or after work. I don’t do anything else other than that, although I probably should.”
“Well, whatever you’re doing, it’s working,” he murmurs.
I flash him a smile and then pour him a soda. When his food is ready, I bring him the plate and then move to serve a few other customers who come in while he eats.
“How was it?” I ask him just as he finishes his last bite.
“Really good,” he tells me, pushing the finished plate away. “I think you should definitely keep this on the menu.”
“Is this going to be your new order?” I ask him, arching my brow. “Or are you going back to the usual?”
He studies me for a second and then replies with “The usual.”
I start to laugh. “You have issues.”
“Can I take you out this weekend?” he asks me, catching me off guard.
He wants to take me out, like on a proper date? I can’t remember the last time I went on a date. I said I didn’t want to go there with him, to do this, because I wasn’t sure if I was ready. The timing isn’t right, but then, is it ever? Wrong timing, right person. My brain is telling me to refuse him, to try to be on my own for a while, to sort out my life, but another organ is telling me to say yes, that I’d love to go on a date with him.
I let my heart lead.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Okay?” he asks, sounding a little shocked.
“Why do you sound so surprised?” I ask him, lip twitching.
“I thought I’d have to do a little more convincing,” he admits, studying me.
“Are you calling me difficult?”
“Are you denying it?” he fires back.
“No,” I reply, ducking my head to hide my smile. “Where will we be going on this date?”
“It’s a surprise,” he says, and excitement fills me. This is all so new to me, and it’s both thrilling and overwhelming. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing, but maybe it’s time I started taking risks. I only have one life, and maybe I should start living it.
“Surprise many women on first dates?” I tease, arching my brow at him and lifting my chin.
“None, actually,” he says, scanning my face. “I’d better get back to work.” He places money on the table, much more than what is necessary, and says, “I’ll pick you up on Friday at four?”
“Sounds good,” I reply, making a mental note to ask someone to cover my shift. I haven’t taken any time off since I opened the place, and I know I deserve a Friday off. Without feeling guilty. “What am I meant to wear to this surprise date?”
His eyes narrow in thought. “Something casual and comfortable. No heels.”
“You got it,” I tell him. When he leans over and gives me a quick kiss, I don’t pull away. I’m not usually one for public displays of affection, and I have no idea why I allow it now, but this whole thing hasn’t exactly been in my comfort zone.
“Hope you enjoy the rest of your day, beautiful,” he says, smiling.
I don’t think anything could now make this day a bad one.
“RILEY’S GOT A DATE,” Callie sings, doing a little happy dance. “I can’t believe it. I have the morning off and this is what I miss.”
“You should have seen them,” Preston tells her. “They were all lovey-dovey and shit. In their own world. I dropped a glass and it smashed, and she didn’t even realize.”
“Really?” Callie murmurs, eyes going wide. “This is long overdue, and we all know it. And I’m happy to hold down the fort on Friday night, because I have nothing better to do, and I think I’d make a great bar manager.”
“Why should you be in charge?” Preston asks, scowling. “I should be the one handling shit while Riley’s getting manhandled by Hunter. I’m the backbone of this place.”
“Can you stop talking about me like I’m not here?” I growl, looking between the two of them. “No one is manhandling me. And yes, one of you two will be left in charge. I’m thinking of hiring someone too, as well, because as the place gets busier we’re going to need a little more help.”
“So who are you going to choose?” Callie asks me, hands on her hips. “Your best friend, or this idiot?”
“Your best friend is Kat,” I point out in a dry tone. “And he may be an idiot, but he’s our idiot, and he makes a mean cocktail.”
“But can he handle multitasking and whatever situations may arise?” she continues pushing. “Come on, Riley, I was born to lead. I’m a lawyer.”
“Well, you’re not,” Preston inserts, bending to tie his shoelace. “You left the world of law to serve drinks, remember? And what if a fight breaks out? I can handle that. I’m a man.”
“Are you going to allow this sexism?” Callie asks me, stepping toward Preston. “I could handle it if a fight breaks out. We have more security on weekends now anyway. I’m not some delicate flower, so don’t even try and play that card, Preston.”
“Calm down, you two,” I tell them, shaking my head. “I’ll decide and let you know.”
“Fine,” the two of them grumble.
You’d think they were children, and I was their mother telling them off or something. “Callie, can you put a ‘help wanted’ sign on the door and in the paper or something? The sooner we hire someone, the better.”
“No problem,” she says, then turns to Preston. “See, she asked me, not you, because I’m more responsible.”
“Or because it’s a menial task and she has more important things for me to do,” Preston replies, smirking.
I throw my hands up in the air and walk out of the staff room.
I don’t know how I’m going to put one of them in charge without them killing each other, but I’m going to let Thursday me worry about it.