Page 115 of Employing Patience

Will leans over the bar and swats at Joey’s arm, and that’s about all I can stand.

“Welcome to Killer Brew,” I shout, lifting my hands and drawing the attention of everyone below. I have no clue what I’m doing, but I’m doing it. “I’m Art de Almeida, which I’m sure you already know, considering you’re here enjoying my food and drinking my booze.” I spare a second for a chuckle, which is echoed below. Behind me, it’s more like snickers, but I ignore them. “What you don’t know is those things aren’t all that’s mine.”

“Dude, you need to stop,” Keller hisses. But I’m a lost cause.

“That sexy bartender over there? Give a wave, meu lutador.”

Thankfully, Joey’s face is a mask of amused confusion, and he waves like I knew he would. If he didn’t, I would have had to derail this thing fast, but with that one wave, we’re on the same page. And so I say, with no fear or regret, “That little fucker stole my heart. And if anyone—” I pin Will with a glare. “—touches what’s mine, they’ll be banned from the bar for life. No warning.”

Nothing but silence follows, and when I glance back at Joey, he’s struggling to hold back a laugh.

Warmth floods me at the acknowledgment that even if Will has a thing for Joey, it’s clearly not returned.

My usual cocky smile jumps to my face. “And with that, enjoy! Drink, laugh, and take life for all it has to offer.”

A confused murmur passes beneath me, broken by Orson’s “Whoop!”

Applause breaks out behind me, and slowly, the rest of the bar follows. Hey, at least I know my friends have my back.

I don’t give a single shit that I probably convinced my customers that I’m borderline unhinged. Who would have thought that all it would take to get over my fear of committing to someone was the option of it being taken away?

Joey jogs up the stairs a moment later, and before I can say a thing, he jumps into my arms and seals my mouth with a kiss.

“What was that for?” I ask.

“I like having a possessive boyfriend.” He grins. “Popped a boner right there at the bar.”

I throw my head back and laugh, but Payne’s disapproval is louder.

“That’s our cue to leave.”

“You can stay and watch if you like.” I pump my eyebrows at him.

“Yeah, I’m out.”

He stands, followed by Orson and Mack.

“I’ll watch,” Keller says, calling me on my shit.

“You would?”

I glance over at the new voice and find Will’s followed Joey up here. But instead of looking pissed off about Joey still in my arms, he’s got big puppy dog eyes turned on—oh.

Huh.

Well, look at that. I don’t know everything.

Keller scrambles to his feet. “Just kidding. Let’s go. I want to pick up some things for dinner.”

“It’s my turn to cook for you, remember?” Will asks, and I don’t think he looks away from my friend the whole way down the stairs.

When we’re alone, Joey leans in and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “Wanna tell me what all that was about?”

“Who says it was about anything?”

“Can’t bullshit me, remember?”

I huff. “I’m going to hate having a boyfriend, aren’t I?”

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