I shouldn't even be watching, shouldn't be ogling. What would Reeves think? The thought sobers me for a moment. Reeves, with his strong presence and husky build, and sweet smile. My heart aches with guilt, but I can't seem to tear my eyes away from the stranger on table One.
He pauses, chalking his cue. His eyes catch mine again, and this time I don't look away fast enough. He smirks knowingly, like he's used to being watched.
My stomach flips again, and I swallow hard, trying tofocus on something—anything—else. But it's no use. His smooth movements draw me back in every time.
"Enjoying the show?" His voice breaks through my thoughts, soft yet laced with amusement.
I feel my face flush deeper. "Just making sure you're all set," I manage to reply, trying for casual but sounding breathless instead.
He laughs softly before turning back to his game. I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, and return to wiping down the bar with renewed energy — that bartop has never been so clean and shiny.
Despite my best efforts to stay focused on work, my eyes keep drifting back to him as he plays on, each shot more amazing than the last.
I shake my head, and rush to the washrooms where Liza is cleaning the sinks. We both hate this job, but I won the coin toss today, so she's stuck with it.
“You have to come see this,” I whisper, barely able to contain my excitement.
“What’s got you all worked up?” she asks, looking up with curiosity.
“There’s this guy. He’s playing pool, and Liza, he’s like... wow.”
She raises a brow, a little skeptical, but follows me out. We tiptoe back to the bar, trying to be subtle but failing miserably as we giggle like schoolgirls. I can’t remember the last time work felt this fun.
“There he is,” I whisper, nodding towards Caine.
Liza’s eyes widen as she takes in the sight of him. “Hot damn, Jenna. You weren’t kidding.”
“I know, right?” I feel a rush of excitement just sharing this moment with her.
“He moves like he owns the place,” Liza observes, her eyes glued to him as he lines up another shot.
“And he’s good,” I add. “I’ve been watching him play nine-ball against himself for a while now. He doesn’t miss.”
Liza laughs softly. “Well, you shouldn’t be looking too hard, Mrs. Sullivan. But since I’m single, I’ll ogle all I want.”
I feel a twinge of guilt but quickly push it aside. It’s harmless fun, after all. “You’re right. I shouldn’t look too much.”
“Exactly,” Liza says with a wink.
I glance at Liza and admire her outfit—leopard print leggings paired with a form-fitting black work-issue golf shirt that hugs her curves just right. Her gold heart earrings dangle and catch the light as she moves. Hot pink Doc Martens complete her look. She’s unapologetically herself and radiates confidence that I envy.
“By the way, I love the outfit,” I say, trying not to sound envious.
“Thanks,” she replies with a grin. “It’s all about feeling like a boss… you know.”
I laugh. "I wouldn't know."
We return our focus to Caine, who continues to play with a really sexy intensity.
Damn.
“Think he’d give me some tips?” Liza wonders aloud.
“Maybe,” I reply, watching him pocket another ball effortlessly.
For now, we enjoy our shared moment of innocent admiration and return to work with a little more pep in our step than usual.
An hour later, I'm restocking the bar fridge when I feel a presence behind me. I look up and there he is, standing right in front of me, those green eyes meeting mine directly.
