“Okay, babe.”
Gathering up my stuff, I reach for the door handle, but this time Adam stops me. “Wait, one more thing.”
His hands find my face, and he pulls me back for a deep kiss. His tongue glides softly against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. Maybe this is the medicine I need.
Our kiss slows and he places a few more small ones to my lips before meeting my eyes. “I mean it, text me if you start to feel worse.”
“I will. Now, go, you have a game and your sister has a life-changing decision coming her way.”
Adam finally gives me somewhat of a laugh. “Will’s already panicking that she’ll say no.”
“Well, go help get his mind off that nonsense. I’ll get this place ready for when she says yes.”
This time, when I reach for the door, Adam doesn’t stop me. He does, however, watch me walk in before he pulls off.
I knew coming in later would mean that the lunch rush would be starting, but what I didn’t anticipate was being so on the go from the moment I walked in.
I barely made it to my office before Stacy, our new bartender, called about her car battery dying. She said she’d still planned on coming in for the party, but I had to jump on the upstairs bar for the duration of the rush.
My mind was so split between the things I needed to get done for the party and making drinks that I fucked up several things that are usually a piece of cake for me.
I know I want this night to go perfectly for Adam, but it feels like things are falling out of my head. I couldn’t remember multiple drink orders and had to write them down on a notepad. I grabbed the wrong liquor several times, then had to pour it out and start over.
By the time the rush starts to slow, my morale is low, and the exhaustion has only gotten worse. Maybe I am getting sick?
Ripping my notepad to a clean page, I quickly try to write down everything I need to do to get ready for the party because clearly I’m not on my A-game today.
“Holy shit,” I hear Jensen’s voice and finally look up from my paper. She and Lucie take seats at the bar. “Dios mio, is Mia Wright sweating?”
This insane urge to cry takes over me, and I shove it down. What is actually happening to me right now?
“It’s been a day. What are you guys doing here?” I check the time on my phone. It’s just after three. “Jen, I thought you were coming to set up at four? The health inspector?—”
“Adam sent us early,” Jensen cuts me off.
“Said you weren’t responding to his texts and you weren’t feeling well. Here, drink this.” Lucie reaches into her bag and sets a bottle of water on the bar top.
I shake my head with a fragile laugh. “Of course he sent you.” I don’t reach for the water, even though I probably should, but take out my phone instead to reply to Adam.
Tell me how you’re feeling baby.
Sorry, I had to run the bar upstairs. Long story that doesn’t matter now, but your reinforcements are here. I’m fine, quit worrying about me.
“He also told us to pick up this.” Jensen sets a Spilled Tea matcha next to the water.
“Bless that man.”
That drink I actually pick right up. The first sip doesn’t hit like it usually does, but it appears I’m simply having an off day today. I probably am getting sick—it’s just hitting me very slowly.
I let out a breath. “Okay, I’m going to tell them to lock the doors and turn the sign off so we have plenty of time for the people here now to finish and get cleared out. Then I have to get stuff rolling for this party.”
Jensen hops off her stool. “I’ll handle that and let everyone downstairs know. You take five minutes.”
“I don’t exactly have five minutes to spare here, Jen.” I used them all up this morning with my snooze button.
“You do now. Luce and I are here to help. She just can’t do any extreme lifting with her two little peas in a pod.”
Lucie runs a hand over her stomach. “I don’t know…I think it’s still two different pods since they’re fraternal.”
