All of it.
Not just serving. Or maintaining the books. But greeting customers, handling the needy and ornery ones with as much grace as her father. It shouldn’t have been any surprise that the service business came so naturally to her.
“Alright,” she said, coming behind the bar. “It’s apparently gonna be one of those nights. Since we’re closed tomorrow, what if we get together and hammer out the details?”
“Sounds good. Come to the inn when you get up?”
“Too much going on there. Come over to me when you’re up. ’Scuse me,” she said, reaching for the fountain soda.
“I can grab that.”
“No worries, I got it.”
How I’d forgotten about her tattoo after the shower episode last night, I had no idea.
“How’s the new ink? Can’t wait to see it.”
An understatement.
“Itchy. I’d tell you to pull my shirt down in the back to see it, but I’m pretty sure that would illicit some strange looks.” She laughed. “Will show you tomorrow,” she called back, carrying a tray of sodas away from the bar.
Good idea, Beck. Arrange to be alone with her. Ask to see her back tattoo. Maybe I could just tell her that I jerked off thinking about her last night. And add that it wasn’t the first time, while I was at it.
“What’s that face for?”
Parker and Delaney. Hadn’t seen them come in. I was slipping.
Plastering a smile on my face, I headed over to them.
“You’re lucky to get seats. It’s been nuts the past few hours.”
“Graduation weekend,” Parker said. “Delaney was craving a burger.”
“What a liar. This was all him,” she said.
“All the same to me. You guys can come in every day if you want.”
“There’s a word for people who drink every day.”
“Who says you have to drink? What’ll it be? The usual?” I grinned at Delaney. “And a water?”
“With a burger? Get outta here. I’ll have an Ultra draft.”
I slid their drinks toward the couple.
“Lemme see it?”
Delaney grinned and lifted her left forearm.
“Nice,” I said. “Great detail.”
“Lucas is a gem. I already have an idea for another one.” She looked at my arm. “Is it true what they say, about not being able to get just one?”
“Was for me.”
“You’re off tomorrow, yeah?” Parker asked. “I’m heading to a new potential site on Seneca, shouldn’t take long. Up for some trout fishing?”
“Can’t,” I said, grabbing an empty from nearby, catching the customer’s eyes and raising his glass. He nodded. “Got a call earlier from someone at the Finger Lakes Flavor Fest. They had a last-minute cancelation, so we’re in. Only a few days to prep.” I slid the guy’s filled beer to him. “Heading over to Mae’s tomorrow to plan a menu and start securing supplies.”
