Page 40 of The Other Half

He looked up from where he was rummaging through random glasses looking for a martini glass.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Can I have an old fashioned? I’ve made them at the Ox, but I’ve never tried one.”

“Oh! That’s who you are! You’re the new bartender at the Ox I’ve heard about.” A big grin stretched his stubbled cheeks.

“Hopefully good things?” I asked.

“Great things. And something about a red dress?” His dark eyebrow rose, and a smirk lifted his lip.

“Oh, God,” I whispered, shrinking lower in my seat. Jake’s laugh only threw salt on the wound. “Not my best wardrobe choice.”

“I heard it was an excellent choice. Hell, I’ve been hearing about it all day!”

“Small town,” Jake said between chuckles. “Word travels fast here.”

“I can see that.” Palming my face, I dissolved into laughter. “Note to self... wear nothing but jeans and t-shirts when in Door County.”

“Well it’s nice to put a face to the woman I keep hearing about. I’m Kyle. I own this place with my wife, and I’m slinging drinks tonight because Sam called in sick.”

I gripped his extended hand and shook it. “Hi, Kyle. I’m Cassie.”

His dark brown eyes examined my face, and he tipped his head. “It’s so weird. I feel like I know you from somewhere, but I can’t figure out where.”

Hearing my grandfather’s warning in my head while trying not to come undone, I shrugged. “I’ve got one of those faces I guess.” He likely had seen me before. In my lavish lifestyle, I ended up in magazines and on TV at times. I doubted he watched Access Hollywood or E! News, but the way he looked at me had me ready to bolt out the door.

“Hmm. I guess.” A quizzical look tipped his head before he stopped his intense inspection of my face. “Brandy old fashioned? Your first, you said?”

“Mmmhmm.” Trying not to let out an obvious exhale of the relieved breath I held, I nodded my head.

“It will be an honor to serve you your first one! Menus?”

“Menus would be great. This one made me throw back my dinner.”

Sucking air through my teeth, I smiled. “Sorry about that.”

Jake smiled back. “I’m just teasing. It’s fine.”

As horrified as I was about the thought of killing the creature, he had a point. A lot of points, actually. Who was I to judge him for fishing and hunting? I loved meat. And the way he got it was a lot more humane than I gave him credit for. It didn’t mean I was going to run out and buy a gun and join him in the woods, but I could at least climb off my PETA pedestal and give him some kudos for his conservationist attitude.

“What’s the burger of the day?” Jake called to Kyle while he muddled the cherry and orange with the bitters in my glass. It was a new skill I was learning since these Door County people couldn’t get enough of their old fashioneds.

“You want it,” Kyle called back with certainty. “Burger, BBQ, bacon, onion rings, cheese curds, and cheddar.”

“You’re right. I want it!” Jake laughed.

“Wait. Is that all on the burger?”

“Oh, yeah.” A goofy grin deepened Jake’s dimples.

“You’re kidding!”

“They have ridiculous burgers here. Every day a new one with some really bizarre, but delicious, things piled on them. You’ll love it.”

“I’m not having one!” I scoffed. “I’ll just get a salad or something.”

With the shake of his head, he let out a sigh. “Please tell me you’re not one of those girls.”