Page 1 of Love your Billionaire Boss

Chapter 1

Cleo

The bar was loud with cheers, the floor was sticky, and the drink orders kept piling up. Cleo could barely hear as she moved her way around the back of the bar, washing glasses just so she could fill them. She was used to this kind of packed house when there was a game in town. This city went hard for its baseball team.

She looked up to a sea of red and white jerseys clinking their glasses and singing the team's chant. They must have won. She wouldn't know because there was no time to watch. She was not much of a sports girl, anyway. Although she pretended to be to get a job here.

“A round of tequila shots!”

“Two lagers!”

“A Jack and Coke!”

Cleo nodded at the orders being basically barked at her. Sometimes manners went straight out the window on game days. She was used to it, though. She filled the shot glasses, poured the beer, and mixed the cocktail in record time. The patrons took their drinks and turned their backs to watch the game highlights. There was a small lull where Cleo could catch her breath. She leaned against the countertop.

“It's a madhouse today!” Bridget said, nudging her and taking a sip of water.

“You could say that again.”

“Hey, at least the tips will be worth it.”

Cleo nodded. Bridget was her boss. She had strawberry blonde hair and was tall and slender. Most of the male patrons ogled over her. She had been running the bar for the past year, after she took it over for her father. She was just a few years older than Cleo, but the patrons respected her and loved the bar. It was one of the city's favorite places to catch a game. Cleo had started around the same time Bridget became the owner. They had become good friends.

The bar erupted into cheers, causing Cleo to jump slightly.

“Sounds like they've arrived,” said Cleo, glancing at the door.

Bridget nodded and pushed herself away from the counter. She adjusted her top so a little more cleavage showed, and gave Cleo a wink. Cleo shook her head and laughed.

“A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. The players tip very generously,” said Bridget as she lifted the counter door and made her way toward the entrance.

Cleo watched as Bridget pushed her way through the crowd to where the team was being swarmed by fans. Most Fridays, the team came here to celebrate if they won the big game.

Another reason why Murphy's was a favorite jaunt for the city. Bridget's father, Conor, had always welcomed the team with open arms and made them feel like home. He was somewhat of a living legend in the city. Conor had known the previous owner of the team through the years. Everyone was so sad when he had fallen ill, which was why Bridget took over the bar, so he could regain his health.

Cleo soaked in the few minutes she had without orders being yelled at her. All the attention was on the players. She watched as Bridget chatted flirtatiously with one of the players. Bridget knew them all by name, but Cleo still hadn't memorized them. There was no reason to. One, she didn't follow the sport. Two, it was Bridget's job to make them feel special and make sure their needs were met.

The bar patrons parted to create a path for the players as Bridget led them to their usual spot. There was a large, round booth at the back of the bar that was specifically for the team on game nights. There were more cheers and pats on the back, and the team finally was able to take a seat in the cushy booth.

“So, what can I get you, boys?” asked Bridget as she leaned over the table and gave them her best dazzling smile.

The players were like cats just lapping her up.

“Beers all around, to start!” said one of the players loudly and giving Bridget a wink.

“You've got it.” Bridget made her way back to the bar where Cleo was already lining up glasses on the counter.

“It's going to be a long night,” said Bridget, as she began filling the glasses, careful not to add too much foam.

Cleo nodded as she pulled a large tray from the shelf. She began placing the filled glasses of beer on the tray, while mentally remembering orders from the patrons at the bar. She was thankful for her memory because it served her well first as a server, and now a bartender. It was part of the reason Bridget hired her. For her interview, she was basically thrown into the lion's den and was able to keep up with everyone's orders. She may not have been able to make all the drinks, but she knew which drink went to which person. Bridget was impressed and hired her on the spot.

Bridget carried the tray of drinks to the players who all thanked her graciously before they began chugging them down. Cleo watched them for a moment longer before she had to begin making drinks again.

The busy Fridays went on for weeks because the team kept on winning, which meant Cleo worked much later than usual, but she didn't mind because the money was good. It was plenty to pay the rent and also buy the kitchen supplies and ingredients she needed for her real passion, which was baking. When she wasn't behind the bar, she ran a small catering business out of her home just outside of the city. She loved spending her days testing new recipes and baking orders for customers.

However, she wouldn't be able to get much done tomorrow because tonight was looking to be a late one. She would definitely need sleep because Bridget called in sick, which she never did, leaving Cleo in charge. Even though Cleo knew the ropes, she still felt nervous being in charge, especially when she saw the team walk in the bar. The patrons did their normal loud cheers as the team walked through the door.

Cleo glanced at herself in the mirrored wall of the bar. Her chestnut hair could use a wash, so she swooped up her loose curls into a claw clip. A few front tendrils hung and framed her face. She took a deep breath and turned away from her reflection. It was time to play hostess. Cleo wiped her hands on a towel and left her post behind the bar. She had barely spent any time around the players, but she had studied Bridget enough to know what to do. She smoothed her hair and plastered a big smile on her face as she greeted them.

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