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He was silent while I laughed. When my giggle turned to a full laugh and my sides started to hurt, I sucked in a deep breath to calm myself down. Did he think I was making it all up? I probably would have thought so. “I don’t know. I guess we will see how it goes. The manager seems really nice.”
“But the other guy is kind of a dick.” He chuckled. “I know. That’s what you said earlier. Do you think you’ll like it?” My cousin paused, likely debating if he wanted to badger me with questions like usual or if he would take it easy on me.
I wasn’t sure if I would. Part of me screamed I was making a mistake, and that I’d be safer surrounded by people I loved. But there was also a part of me that screamed for a new adventure and a fresh start. Somehow, this could be good for me. I wiped away a lone tear that settled on my cheek.
“I’ll be okay.”
At least I hoped.
Chapter 5
Logan
Islammed the drawer of the cash register shut, pressing my fingers into my temple. “No, you’re not listening to me, Ash.”
“I’m listening. It just sounds kind of like you’re being a big baby.” Asher sat a stack of clean glasses on the bar and cocked his head.
I grunted, frustrated that he didn’t agree with me. Usually he was the friend that always took my side. “I can already tell she’s going to cause issues, that’s all. She just has one of those… personalities. You can see it when you look at her. It’s like she’s wearing a shirt that says, I cause trouble.”
Ash rolled his eyes when the front door opened. “Her?” He laughed. “Dude, what are you so worried about? She’s cute! I think you’re definitely overreacting.” When he waved at her, she waved back, and he turned to sneer at me.
“Whatever you say. You’ll see what I mean.”
Simone dropped her purse on the counter when she approached. The way she smiled looked forced, or maybe she was just trying to make a good first impression for Ash. I groaned, hoping he’d see through the good girl mask. It had to be a mask.
You have no idea what kind of girl I am.
“You must be Simone? I’m Asher, but you can call me Ash.” As always, he was charming and layering it on thick.
She grinned and shook his hand with a giggle. “Guilty as charged! It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. I’ve heard so much about you already!”
I didn’t miss Simone’s side glance in my direction when Ash implied we had been talking about her. We were talking about her, but she didn’t need to know that.
“My reputation proceeds me, I’m sure.” She winked at Ash, turning to me with a come-at-me smile.
Ash and Simone went to work slicing lemons and limes, their chorus of giggles grating on my nerves. “Girl, same! My boyfriend is obsessed with that one baking show! I never remember what it’s called. They’re all the same to me, but you and Jackson would be best friends. I just know it,” he said.
Great.
I grumbled and stepped away, making my way down the hall to the office. The door slammed behind me harder than I’d intended, and I dropped my head back, clenching my hands at my sides. “Deep breath, Logan. Jesus. She’s not that important.”
Reminding myself the new girl wasn’t worth the sudden increase in my heart rate, I grabbed a pile of clean towels from the shelf and took a deep breath. I wasn’t going to let her get the best of me. She wasn’t going to have that kind of hold.
When I got back to the front of the bar, a couple of our regulars had filtered in, and Ash was busy prepping their usual orders while Simone introduced herself. Rudy took his normal shot of whiskey and pulled his beer towards him, but his eyes didn’t leave the woman in front of him. Again, great.
“Hey, Simone, the trash needs to be taken out,” I said, and her shoulders stiffened.
She looked at me like she was prepared to argue, and I lifted my brow. Was she going to fight back? I prepared myself to remind her I was her boss, at least when Auston wasn’t around, but she just took a deep breath and painted a small smile on her face.
“Whatever you say, champ.” She laughed to herself, and I narrowed my eyes.
Simone gathered the sides of the trash bag, tying them together and lifting with a slight heave to pull the bag from the can. Ash watched as she gathered the bags and hauled them out the back door without much effort. I tried not to be disappointed at the lack of complaint or discomfort when the bag dripped on her shoes.
“You’re such a dick.” Ash chuckled. “She seems nice. Why do you hate her so much?”
I rubbed my hands over my face. “I just get an off vibe from her. I can’t put my finger on it, but I don’t think I trust her.”
