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“Excuse me?”
“Your cologne. It’s Dior Sauvage.” Her gaze swelled, and she spun on her heels.
“How the hell did you guess that?” I asked, opening the door.
She bolted to her car, waving.
“Maddie!”
“If you change your mind,” she called out, “you’re more than welcome to come hang out tonight.”
MADDIE
My skin was burning up. I reached for the air conditioning, turning the fan on full blast, then turned on the cooling seats. How the hell did I guess that? It was the cologne I’d given him, yet he had no idea it was from me. Last Christmas, our families had a Secret Santa party. I’d drawn his name but was unsure what to get him. I spent countless hours in several stores smelling every men’s fragrance they had until my head was killing me.
With great hesitation, I purchased Dior Sauvage, fearing someone would freak out if they found out I was the one who bought such a serious gift. That Christmas Eve when we all exchanged presents, he went on about how great it smelled.
Of course, Alicia had taken credit for it when he made a big deal about how much he loved it. I had too much class to ruin the evening and claim ownership of the, what was supposed to be, anonymous gift. It was perfectly wrapped in ugly Christmas sweater wrapping paper with a blue bow; his favorite color.
Driving home, I cursed myself for ruining the entire dynamic of our new friendship, but at least he called us friends. Of course, he’d always be DILF to me, but it wasn’t something I’d ever act on. He was untouchable, and that I understood. Now, I was hoping I could get the accidental text out of my mind and focus on something else.
* * *
Tonight, the bar was extra crowded. The headlining jazz band had a larger fan base, so we’d been at max capacity all night, and I was positive the line was still long outside; though it always was. I zipped around, performing my routine duties and ignoring the random ass grab. My feet were aching already, and my stomach was growling.
Depending on what Dimitri was craving for the night, Antonio would have food delivered for the staff and we’d munch on it in the back as we got a chance. Usually, it was Italian from their other brother’s restaurant, or catering from the Jewish deli down the road. I loved both equally. For now, it was too busy to stop and eat.
“Maddie!” Antonio slinked his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his side. “Che cazzo fai? You need to take a break!”
“I’m good.” I twisted out of his hold
He shook his head, taking the empty tray from my hand. “No no, amore. Go! We’re still running a legal business in the evening.”
“Ugh,” I rolled my eyes, “fine, but I’m taking the garbage out on my way!”
“Of course, you are.” He grinned before veering to do his hourly rounds, checking the club.
Waltzing to the bar, I slipped in behind Jimmy, who was training Gian, the new bartender. Other than being the spitting image of the Abruzzo brothers with his black hair, dark eyes, and at least six-feet-two, Gian didn’t seem to fit in much. Instead, he looked like he belonged on stage singing top forty hits. My best guess was he’d done something his dad didn’t like and stuck him at the bar working for his uncles so someone could monitor him.
At least, that’s how Jimmy was acting. Frustrated with everything Gian did. To Jimmy, the bar area was his, and he liked it run a certain way... his way. I tied the garbage bag and yanked it out, hearing him reprimand Gian for not measuring the alcohol. I couldn’t help but snicker to myself as I took a little longer to tuck the clean bag down into the empty bin.
“You shouldn’t be back here, Maddie!”
I giggled. “I know, Jimmy. Just grabbing your trash!”
He winked, mocking a strangling gesture behind Gian’s neck. I cackled before hauling the garbage away. The sentry let me through the back door, and I swerved to the left, climbing the stairs to the alley. The door got stuck, so I kicked it twice. Finally, it flew open, and the weight of the trash carried me with it.
“AHHH!” I stumbled out, dropping the enormous black bag at my side, and fell into a hard, manly figure.
He caught me, gripping my upper arms. “Shit, Maddie.”
My gaze trailed up to James with a cigarette pinned between his lips. That’s when I smelled his cologne, though it smelled slightly stronger this time. After stabilizing me, he lowered the cigarette to his side. “You okay?”
“You came.”
He blew out a smooth cloud of grey smoke to the side. “The house was too quiet, and you need a ride home.”
“I’m fine!” Bending over, I got ready to pick up the trash.
