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I pull her against me for another lip crushing kiss.
* * *
School passes slowly,as it always does. But once the bell rings, I find Alissa, and we jump in the car to head over to the bar and grill. Dad wants to talk to me about something, and my nerves have been going crazy wondering what it is.
The entire building is up and looks damn near ready to open. We walk across the parking lot, and I open the glass door and allow her to walk in ahead of me.
I’m completely surprised when see the entire place is almost all set up. There are people I don’t know hanging pictures and tv’s. Others are behind the bar stocking the coolers and shelves with liquor.
Dad’s head pops up from behind the bar. “Hey, what do you two think?” He has a wide smile as he holds his arms out at his sides.
I nod. “It looks really good, Dad.” I spin and take in the place. My eyes land on a wooden stage in the front of the bar. “I didn’t know you were putting in a stage. That wasn’t in the plans I saw.”
Dad walks up beside me and pats me on the back. “I added that in last minute just for you.”
I turn to see his dark eyes twinkle. “Just for me?”
He nods with his smile still in place. “That’s right. I want your band on that stage every Saturday night.”
I can’t contain the grin taking over my face. “Really?”
He nods. “This Saturday is the grand opening, so you guys better get to practicing.”
I want to jump up and down I’m so excited. “Thanks, Dad. That’s really cool of you!” Leaning in, I give him a quick hug.
He returns the hug and slaps me on the back. “Alright, come over here and sit down, the both of ya. I want to talk to you about something.”
Suddenly, the excitement I was feeling dies down. He wants to talk to us about something? Is there a chance he knows that Alissa is staying in my bedroom?
We walk over to a small table, where Alissa and I take a seat across from him.
He places his hands on the table and leans in with his eyes on me. “I want you to know I hear you. I know you don’t like working at the shop. It’s just that until now, I didn’t have anything else for you to do. Other than the Saturday night gigs, I want you to be a waiter here.” He holds up his hands, palms facing me, preventing me from speaking the protest he thinks is on my lips. “I know, the job’s lame, but it pays just as much as what you make at the shop, plus you’ll make tips. When you get a little older, we can talk about you bartending and maybe even moving up to management.”
I quickly think it over. Hell yeah, I’ll take what he’s offering. I’d much rather be in the air conditioning than outside sweating my ass off in the sun while repairing something I have no business fixing.
“Thanks, Dad. That sounds awesome.”
He smiles and looks at Alissa. “And Alissa, I want you to waitress here, if you’d like. I don’t know how your parents feel about it, but it would give you some extra cash. And it would really help me out.”
Alissa smiles and nods. “Absolutely. I’ve been looking for a job. Thank you, Mr. Reynolds.”
I can tell how happy this place is making him already. The smile hasn’t left his face since the building started going up.
“Alright then, it’s all settled.” He smacks the table and stands. “Go on and get out of here. Training will start tomorrow night.” He walks away, leaving us sitting alone.
“I’m going to use the restroom, then we’ll head out,” I tell Alissa.
I quickly use the restroom, and when I return, I find my dad and Alissa looking at a picture hanging on the wall.
“What are you guys talking about?” I ask, coming to a stop behind them.
He motions toward a black and white picture on the wall. It’s considered art, but it’s only black circles against a white background. The picture is made to be some kind of illusion, making the picture look curved.
“What do you think of this picture?” Dad asks.
I study it for a minute. “I don’t really think it fits in the bar. It kind of gives me a headache.”
He looks at Alissa. “What do you think?”
