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A slight smile hits his lips. “Why not? Looks like you scored yourself two jobs today.”
“When do I start?” I ask eagerly.
“Whenever you want. I planned to ask Mikey to cover her shift tonight if you’re game?”
“That works.” It’ll take my mind away from the chaos of my life. I give him a wide grin and bounce on my tiptoes.
He laughs. “Look at you, Jailbait. You’re redecorating the pub, slinging drinks, and cleaning like a boss. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Keep a man.”
“No. A man can’t keep you.”
* * *
“Any brilliant ideas yet?”Maliki asks, stopping next to me.
I grin. “You have no idea how many I’ll pitch to you. You might regret hiring me.”
“As long as you don’t remove the authenticity and create a replica of the club you worked in the city, I trust you.”
“I’d never.”
With the little clients I’ve had, I’ve never forced my styles onto them. They tell me what they’re looking for, and I bounce ideas off that.
“It needs to keep that easygoing vibe. And brace yourself … there’s shopping.”
“Shopping?” He groans dramatically. “Don’t I write you a check, and you do all the work?”
“We can do it that way, but I don’t suggest it. This is your bar, your baby, Maliki. I prefer you have a voice in the changes. You’re looking at it for the rest of your life, not me.” I signal to the empty bar. “I promise, nothing crazy.” I clap him on the back. “We’ll look at paint, furniture, decor. It’ll be fun.”
“Oh fuck, I’mgoing to regret this, aren’t I?”
“Hiring me is one of the smartest moves you’ve ever made.”
I proceed around the room, jotting down ideas, for an hour. When I’m finished, Maliki gives me a tour of the bar and explains everything that happens behind the scenes. I’m shown where all the alcohol is stocked, he introduces me to the kitchen staff, and I ask him countless questions.
When we’re finished, he curves an arm around my shoulders and drags me into his side. “Welcome to the Down Home Pub team, princess.”
* * *
I was smart,making my first night during the week. I’ll have time to adapt before the weekend comes.
This is the only place in Blue Beech if you’re looking for fun or seeking to drink away your sorrows. Like every bar, the pub has its heartbroken, drunks, and partiers.
The pub is nothing like the club I worked in. It’s relaxed compared to crazy coeds who just turned old enough for their first shot of vodka. There was no relaxing at the club like it is at Down Home—no sharing a quiet, deep conversation.
The prying eyes come as soon as my shift starts. The pub is hosting a pool tournament tonight that usually brings in a decent crowd—meaning more people seeing me and the higher the chances my parents find out about my new job. I’m already dreading the phone call.
“You okay over there?” Maliki calls over from his side of the bar.
“I’d be better if someone ordered a drink from me,” I answer with a sense of rejection.
Nearly every customer has ordered from Maliki, avoiding me as if I had the plague. Either they don’t trust my drink-making skills—which is a joke, considering the drinks served here are basic as hell—or they’re scared of my father finding out I served them. I’ve already spotted a few of his employees.
He nods in understanding. “Give it a few shifts. It was the same when I started working with my dad. They’re comfortable with me.”
I hold my hand up and cross my fingers. “Let’s hope so. Otherwise, I’m coming over there and making their drinks without their permission.”
