Page 57 of The Red-Hot Stakes

The audience laughed.

“She doesn’t let us guys get away with much.” He chuckled, winking at me.

I tried not to die as I climbed the steps to the stage, gritting my teeth in a semblance of a smile. “What are you doing?”

“Just wait.” He addressed the crowd once more. “Well, this establishment is lucky to have someone as brilliant as Gina on their staff. Let’s all give our newest manager a round of applause.”

As the applause rolled in, Liam leaned away from the mic, and toward me. “Congratulations, Gina. You deserve this.”

I stood straight and tall, my cheeks hurting from smiling so wide. I’d never felt prouder.

“All right, we don’t need you getting a big head.” He winked. “I’ve got a song to sing.”

I rolled my eyes, trotting off stage as the opening bars of I Like It, I Love It started. He sang his heart out, and I knew every word was meant for me.

* * * *

We made it through that night and Friday, but didn’t see each other outside of the bar. Studying for midterms took up most of my time, and Avery claimed any spare minute for maid of honor duties, which I was happy to perform.

Liam was inundated with business meetings, paperwork, and interview after interview. Luckily several candidates panned out, including an experienced manager whose ideas meshed with my vision for the place. Our other new hires had a trial by fire, and three survived. They fit well with the rest of our group and were eager to be fully trained.

On Saturday night, Liam greeted me in passing at the bar. His wistful gaze had me wishing we could steal away upstairs for a quickie to tide me over. I was getting desperate. Liam gave me a tight smile, telling me he felt the same.

The crowd was always rowdier on the weekend. Burt had his hands full, especially with training the new bouncer. Sarah and I were running around like usual, plus we had the new girl, Jen, in the mix, who kept asking questions. I tried to keep my patience, knowing it was a lot to remember.

Liam stayed behind the bar, helping us with dish washing, pouring easier drinks, and chatting with the patrons. He was quickly becoming a fixture here, integrating himself with the business. And I loved it.

I remembered how his other businesses practically ran themselves, and how he wanted to be integral to this one. A thrill went through me at running The High Five with him. I sailed by, a tray full of drinks balanced over my shoulder. The buzzed group of fellow college students I delivered the alcohol to was thrilled, laughing and teasing me.

We bantered for a few moments until raised voices caught my attention. A clean-shaven guy I didn’t recognize was in Liam’s face at the bar.

I took a step toward them. Liam noticed and gave me a miniscule shake of his head. He had it handled. I remembered him in the parking lot behind the bar, how he’d taken on three guys at once and came out the winner.

But this was different, this was public.

“Come on, Liam! It’s the last time, I swear.” The guy’s whole demeanor seemed slightly unhinged. A wild look in his eyes made me uneasy, and my gut warned me to be ready.

Liam responded calmly, but firmly, “I told you, Brad—that was a one-time thing. You got yourself into this mess. You can get yourself out of it.”

Desperation oozed from Brad as he launched himself across the bar to clutch at Liam’s shirt with both hands. “Please! Please, you don’t know what they’ll do to me. What about Desi? What about the kids? You don’t want them to see their father go through that? Do you?”

My unease grew.

A cold, detached expression slid over Liam’s face as he pried Brad’s fingers off his chest. “Have some dignity, man.” His lip curled in disgust. “Get out of here.” He glanced at Burt, who had been watching intently, and Liam nodded.

Burt stomped over to escort Brad out, but he didn’t go quietly, shouting threats the entire way. Liam watched him leave, his shoulders rounded and his jaw clenched. Then he disappeared into the kitchen.

I told Sarah I’d be right back, needing to make sure he was all right. The only one in the kitchen was Wyatt, who pointed upstairs. I trotted up the staircase to find Liam with his head in his hands, sitting at his desk.

“Hey,” I said softly. “You okay?” I went to him.

He turned to me so fast—wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing his cheek against my stomach. I hadn’t expected that, so it took me a second to put my arms around him. I gently stroked his hair with one hand.

We stayed there for several long moments as he clung to me before he finally relaxed and sat back in his chair. I leaned against his desk, waiting for him to speak.

“Thanks.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “Brad’s in some deep shit.”

“Yeah, I remember you bailing him out before.”

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