AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maliki briefed me this morning on what to expect. A live band is performing, so no doubt we’ll be busy. He answered my last-minute questions. We reviewed drinks and prices. I’d used a cheat sheet my first night, but I won’t have time for that.
He’ll change the ice and kegs—thank God. The last time I attempted to change a keg, it doused me, and I smelled like stale booze all night.
Maliki is on his side of the bar, prepping his area, when I get downstairs. Even though it’s not that long of a bar, when working, it’s almost like we’re in two different worlds. I slip my bottle opener into my jean shorts pocket and start setting up my space.
The jukebox plays in the background as I slice my garnishes, restock my straws, and get all my supplies in place. Everything needs organized, so this shift slips by with ease. So many people have shown their doubt about me working here, and I need to prove I know what I’m doing.
People don’t come to Down Home only for the drinks and kick-ass bar food. What brings them here is the live music, events, atmosphere, and of course, the old-fashioned dance floor. I’ve witnessed sad souls with downcast eyes walk onto that dance floor, and when they return, their smiles could light up the room.
The atmosphere unwinds you.
That’s why I love it here so much.
Well, that,andMaliki.
I don’t stress about fitting in here like I do at a benefit dinner with my parents or when hanging out with Devin at a country club. My hair can be messy, my clothes casual, and no one bats an eye.
There are a few customers already here, mainly on Maliki’s side, and when a customer plops in front of me, I take his order.
Jack and Coke. Bacon cheeseburger and onion rings.
I yell his order to the kitchen and start his drink. After handing it to him, I return to cutting my lemons.
“You look fucking gorgeous tonight.”
I get a whiff of his cologne when Maliki stands behind me. I love how he smells. It’s clean but masculine. I focus on my task, frazzled, and don’t glance back at him. Every muscle in my body convulses as his chest hits my back, and I shiver when his cold hand brushes my hair away from it, his fingers slightly running along my neck.
Oh my God. Oh my God.
I squeeze my thighs together, and my heart clunks against my ribs. If only I were brave enough to grind against him, but there are people around, and public rejection doesn’t sound like a great time. I grip the knife in one hand and use the other to clutch the bar while struggling to control my breathing.
I don’t know what to expect when I turn around to face him.
Maliki retreats a step, his eyes wide and focused on my fingers
I meet his gaze and realize I’m still holding the knife.
“Shit,” I mutter, dropping it onto the bar. “Totally wasn’t about to go all stabby on you.” I sigh and run my hands down my shorts. “And thank you.”
I’m wearing cutoff jean shorts that my mom would call inappropriate and have my bar shirt tied around my waist, revealing a hint of midriff. A shiny, new pair of pink Doc Martens are on my feet.
“I have to make those tips,” I add.
He chuckles. “I see. You’re trying to steal my cash because you’re cute.”
He doesn’t seem anywhere as worked up as I am about our little encounter. Meanwhile, my heart is banging batshit crazy.
“Damn straight.” How I’m speaking is beyond me.
I bite into my tongue, holding myself back from mentioning how hot he looks tonight with his hat, torn jeans, and boots. I don’t because it’d make things awkward. Maliki knows how to play off his flirting. Me? I’m a disaster. It always comes out wrong. We’re working together all night, so it’s in my best interest to not make it weird.
But he isn’t making it easy with the whispers in the ear and touching.
He levels his eyes on me, as if he’s about to break news I don’t want to hear. “There’s a bachelor party tonight. I would’ve given you a heads-up, but I just found out. You cool with that?”
“Of course.” I pat his chest a few times and fake a smile. I’m notexactlyokay with it, but I’ll deal. “I’m a professional, Maliki. I mean, I might kick a dude in the junk and kick him out if I see him cheating on his wife, but other than that, I’m peachy.” I shrug, grab my knife, and slam it into the cutting board.
He laughs, smoothing his hand over his jaw. “Please don’t kick anyone out. That’s my job, remember?”
