“Don’t thank me yet.” She laughs. “He can be a bit difficult, as I’m sure you’re well aware, but I’ll see if he will give you tomorrow off so we can go shopping for work attire. It isn’t like he gave you much notice about this job.”
Nikki is right about that. Dante loves to drop last minute tasks on those who work for him. I swear he gets off on it.
Saturday evening, the bar has a few more patrons, none of them familiar. Tonight, Dante isn’t in attendance, and I’m glad for the reprieve. I won’t have to serve him or worry that he’s watching my every move.
“Can I get a Gentleman Jack, neat?”
“Don’t tell me you’re ordering that because you’re a gentleman,” I say and spin around on my heels, glancing at the shelf, trying to find the bottle he’s requesting.
He chuckles under his breath. “Guilty as charged.”
He notices me struggling to locate the bottle. There are so many different types of liquor, and he points at the shelf that it’s on. “Over there.”
“Thanks,” I say, grabbing the bottle of Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack. I’ve heard of Jack Daniel’s, but I don’t recognize this bottle. Seems a bit pricier, but if he’s tipping based on the bill, then awesome!
I pour his liquor neat into a glass and slide it across the bar top to him. “Can I get you anything else?” I ask, batting my eyelashes, smiling at him.
“I’d like to buy you a drink,” he says, smiling a little too friendly.
I don’t tell him I’m not twenty-one yet. “I’m good.”
“Come on, you can’t say no.” He pins me with his dark eyes, and I shift on the balls of my feet.
“Okay, just this once. And don’t tell my boss.”
“I would never.” He smiles a genuine grin while I pour myself a glass of what he’s having and down it, wincing from the taste.
“You’re supposed to sip that,” he tells me. “Now, you’ll have to pour another round.” He gestures to my empty glass.
Well, shit.
“This is going on your tab,” I say, and he nods in agreement before I pour the second glass for myself.
“I’m Jayden, by the way.” He nods, giving me his name. He’s quite a bit older than I am, the man could be my father.
“I’m married,” I say, forcing a smile.
Jayden chuckles. “Don’t worry, so am I.” He shows me the wedding band on his ring finger. “Ten years this May.”
“Congratulations.” I glance down at the open bottle of Gentleman Jack, re-secure the lid and place it back on the shelf. I really don’t want to accidentally knock that shit over.
“I promise I’m not hitting on you,” Jayden says. “Not that you’re not stunning,” he gives me a cocky grin, “but I’m happily married.”
“You keep saying that.” I lift the glass and take a small sip of the bourbon. I’ll never get used to drinking this stuff.
“My wife is away on a girls’ trip this weekend, so I’m enjoying some time alone.”
“Doesn’t really seem like you’re alone.” I grab a rag and wipe the bar top clean before getting a drink for another patron and pocketing the cash tip.
“Hey, I’m married, can I get another?” Jayden asks, showing me his empty glass.
I retrieve the bottle and pour him another round. “It’s Harper,” I say, giving him my first name.
“Thanks, Harper. Can you ring up my bill?”
“Sure.” I close out his tab and slide the bill onto the bar top.
He hands over his credit card along with a crisp fifty-dollar bill. “The cash is for you.”
