"Yeah. It's odd that the two of you have never met, considering Berklee was always at our place growing up."
"Uh-huh," I agree.
"It's a small world." Maggie grins.
"Right, so what can I get for you two?" Berklee takes control of the conversation.
"The usual," they both say in unison.
This has me turning to face Berklee. "You remember all your customers' orders?" I ask her.
"Just the ones I care about." She immediately slaps her hands over her mouth and a beautiful blush coats her cheeks. "I mean, they're family," she tries to backpedal.
Leaning over the counter, I motion for her to lean forward. When she does, I place my lips next to her ear. "What am I?" Moving back, I reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear, my eyes never leaving hers. I watch as she swallows hard and takes a deep breath. I don't wait for her reply; her body spoke for her. "Keep the change. I'll see you later." With that, I pick up my coffee, wave goodbye to Barry and Maggie, and head back to my truck.
When I pull up to the club, I sit in my truck and stare at the coffee in my cup holder. That's how this started, me needing a dose of caffeine. That's when Berklee was just a gorgeous girl at Coffee House who I busted checking me out. Now that same girl works for me and I don't know how to turn it off. I don't know how to not see her as the girl with autumn-colored hair, sky blue eyes and the tightest ass I've ever seen. How do I see her as just an employee?
I'm startled out of my thoughts when Zane bangs on my window. "Got ya." He laughs.
Grabbing my coffee, I climb out of the truck.
"What were you doing just sitting there?" he asks.
"Just running through a mental checklist of all the shit that still needs to be done."
He spies the cup in my hand. "You see Berklee this morning?"
"Yeah, she was there. So were Barry and Maggie."
"Sounds like a family affair. Should I feel bad that I wasn't invited?"
"Not my family," I remind him. "Maybe you should ask them."
"So, I have some more interviews set up for today-servers, bartenders and a few more guys for security. I thought we could let Berklee lead them, see how our new administrator conducts business."
"Probably not a bad idea, considering neither one of us really knows the legality of interviewing."
"I'm sure there's shit we're asking that we're not allowed to," he agrees. "I have them all starting at five. I thought that would give Berklee an hour or so to look over the applications." He hands me a stack of papers. "These are your copies."
I don't bother looking at them, just shove them in my bag and head inside. "You know what we're looking for," I tell him.
"So, what's on the agenda for today other than the interviews later?"
"I ordered the office furniture last night. I have a meeting with a supplier for the liquor and beer at eleven, and an appointment on Friday with a security company. That's the soonest they could be here."
Zane claps his hands. "Now we're talking."
"Other than that, just waiting on the bar mirrors to come in and some additional lighting. Ridge said he or one of the guys would come back and hang it once it comes in."
"What do you need from me?"
I toss him a book from the liquor vendor. "They have the best prices around. I need to compile a list of what we want to stock."
"This I can handle." He grins. Walking over to the bar, he grabs one of the new pads of paper and a pen and starts working on his list.
I open my laptop and pretend to be engrossed in e-mails, but all I can think about is getting my fucking head straight. I look at the clock; I have seven more hours until she shows up. Time to get my shit together.
"List is done," Zane says, laying the paper on the table in front of me.
Glancing at the clock, I see that's its almost noon. "I'm going to go hang some flyers and grab a bite to eat while I'm out." He rubs his stomach. "You need anything?"
"Nah, I'm going to run out too. I have to get Mom a card. It's her birthday next week."
"All she gets is a card?" he asks.
I laugh. "You know better. I like to mail her a card, but I have a gift for her too. It's actually for both of them. I got them a cruise to the Caribbean."
Zane whistles. "She's gonna love that."
"I know. Dad already knows. I had to swear him to secrecy, but I needed him on board to make sure their schedules were cleared."
"All right, man. I'll see you in a few hours."
I grab my keys and follow him out. It takes me no time at all to pick out a card for Mom, and then I hit the drive-through and grab a burger and fries. By the time I make it back to the club, it's gone. Seeing it's now almost two o'clock, I decide to answer some e-mails while I wait for Zane and Berklee.