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“But they don’t have Hanson’s in California. I couldn’t find a single good burger the entire time I was there.”
“Seriously?” I reply.
“Seriously. Nothing would make me happier than a big double cheeseburger with onion rings and a milkshake.”
“Race you,” I say as I jump out of the car. She doesn’t even take the time to lock it as we both sprint toward the front door of the burger joint, laughing hysterically as we step inside.
We’re still breathless as we order, my arms still wrapped around her waist. It was the longest summer ever, but at least it’s over. She’s home, and everything feels right again.
RULE #38: WHATEVER YOU DID, CHANCES ARE THE BARTENDER HAS HEARD WORSE
Daisy
Geo keeps looking at me. His curious green eyes are tracking me between drinks, his lips ready to ask what happened. But I can’t tell him. It’s only a matter of time before Ronan tells Emerson Grant about my secret, how I essentially stalked him all the way to the club, and I’ll lose my job. Might as well get in one more night of tips before that happens.
As soon as I walked in, Geo could tell. There’s not a touch of makeup on my face. My hair is a disheveled mess. I finger-combed it into a messy bun, before getting out of my van behind the club. Honestly, my appearance might be grounds for firing anyway. No one wants to have their martinis delivered to them in an exclusive sex club by a walking hot mess express like me.
I don’t make eye contact and I can’t even force a genuine smile as I work. My eyes are on the door every chance they get, but Ronan never passes through that curtain. I don’t know if I want him to or not.
My eyes are craving the sight of him, but even I know that if he comes to the club tonight, he won’t be spending it with me. Just the thought of him with another woman has me wanting to throw up.
He will, though.
A man like Ronan doesn’t stay lonely. I hope for his sake that he’s not torn up for long. The idea of him being even a little unhappy guts me to my core.
“Okay, what the fuck?” Geo ambushes me on my way out of the storage room, and I stare up at him with wide eyes.
“What?” I act naive as I try to move around him.
He steps in my way. “What happened with Ronan?”
“Nothing,” I blurt out, sounding less than convincing.
“Did you break up? Get in a fight?”
“Geo!” I snap, but the moment I look into his eyes, my throat starts to sting and I struggle to form any words without completely losing it. So I just stare at him through moist lashes without speaking.
“Oh, Daisy.” His shoulders slump and his head tilts as he pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly.
And I lose it. Silently, I cry into his shirt, my chest shaking with my sobs. He holds me long enough to let this round of tears complete before he pulls away and wipes my hair out of my face.
“You don't have to tell me anything. Unless he hurt you,” he replies, leveling his intense stare on my tear-soaked face.
I shake my head as I wipe my cheeks with my sleeve. “He didn’t hurt me.”
“I didn’t think so, but I had to be sure.”
“It was my fault. It's all my fault.”
With his firm hands on my shoulders, he leans his head down, so I’m looking at him again as he says, “Everyone fucks up, Daisy. Everyone.”
I force a sad smile. “I know. But not everyone fucks up as bad as I did.”
“I’m a bartender. I hear it all, and trust me…yes, they do. And I don’t even know what you did.”
A wet laugh escapes my lips. I feel about a hundred pounds lighter, but not a whole lot better. I still have to face that floor full of customers, and I’m not ready.
“Take a few minutes to get yourself cleaned up. And after work, I’m taking you to that stupid fucking piano bar to cheer you up, okay?”
