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I lift my head to serve the next customer, frowning when I see it’s Ashlyn and some guy.
“Hey, Ash. What can I get you?” I ask her, my eyes flicking to the man standing next to her.
“Vodka lemonade and…” She turns to the guy.
He smiles at her. “A Heineken for me, please.”
I look between them and see Ash roll her eyes. “Ben, this is my brother Seb. Seb, this is Ben, my principal at school.”
“Nice to meet you, Seb,” Ben says.
“You too,” I tell him, relieved it’s her boss and not some guy trying to pick her up. I make quick work of getting their drinks, sliding them across the bar. “They’re on me. Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks,” Ben says, passing Ashlyn her drink. “Don’t think this gets you out of me buying you a drink. We’ll just have to make it another time,” he says to her, and even in the darkness of the bar, Ash’s cheeks flush pink.
Does she like this guy? He seems way older than her. He must know how old she is if he’s her boss.
Before I can say anything, they disappear into the crowd, and I lose sight of them. Sighing, I focus on the next customer wanting a drink. I know Cade, Wyatt, and Nash will look out for her tonight. With how busy it is, I know I can’t.
A few minutes later, I catch sight of Taylor waiting at the end of the bar. I wink at her, and she smiles. When I’ve finished serving, I wipe my hands on a cloth and make my way over to her.
“Hey. Are you having a good night?” I ask, just managing to stop myself from leaning down and brushing my lips with hers.
“I am, and I’m here to offer my services.” I raise my eyebrows in surprise and smile. She slaps my chest. “Notthosekinds of services! I mean my services behind the bar.”
I pull my eyebrows together in confusion. “Behind the bar?”
She nods. “I worked in a bar in Pittsburgh for over a year. I know what I’m doing. I want you to go and spend some time with everyone while I cover for you.”
“No! No way. It’s Christmas Eve. I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering.”
“It’s still a no.”
She crooks her finger and I lean in closer to her. “I’m doing this, Seb, so get used to it. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
I grin at her. “Is this you being assertive again?” She nods. “You know I can’t resist assertive Taylor.”
She smiles and slips past me, opening one of the under-counter refrigerators and passing me a bottle of beer. “Go. I’ve got this.” I start to say something, but she cuts me off. “Go.” She pushes her purse into my hands and waves me away.
As much as I don’t want it to, something shifts in my chest as I watch her lean over the bar to take a guy’s order. She’s beautiful inside and out, and I don’t think she realizes what it means to me to have even one drink with my family tonight. She serves him like she’s worked behind the bar forever, even managing to work the register before moving on to the next customer. Her eyes slide to mine, and she flicks her head to the back of Eden, where I know everyone is sitting. I smile at her and mouth a thank-you before heading through the crowd to the booth. I feel guilty that she’s managed to talk me into letting her help. I’ll just have this one drink and then I’ll go back. She shouldn’t miss out on Christmas Eve because I don’t have enough staff.
“Hey, Seb,” Nash says as I sit down in the booth next to him. “I thought you weren’t going to be able to get away tonight.”
“I had some unexpected help behind the bar,” I tell him, taking a mouthful of beer.
“Did you see Taylor on your way over here?” Paisley asks. “She disappeared a few minutes ago.”
I smile sheepishly. “Yeah. She’s the unexpected help.”
Paisley laughs. “She’s behind the bar?” I nod.
“Does she know what she’s doing?” Wyatt asks.
“She’s a natural,” I tell him. “I’m just having ten minutes and then I’ll go back. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Sounds like Tay,” Paisley says. “I’m going to go and see her in action.” She stands from the booth. “I’ll get some drinks on the way back.”
