Page 17 of The Hot New Bartender in Town

“Just got better, actually. What were you saying, Tish?”

“Nothing,”I spit at him. “Don’t you have burgers to cook?”

“You tell me.”

Giving him one last glare, I round the counter to pull my mother away from him. “Mom,” I say. “What, uh... what are you doing here?”

“A mother can’t come by her daughter’s place of work and say hi?” she asks.

“No, of course you can. I’m just?—”

“Actually, there is a specific reason I’m here.” Her back straightens. “I couldn’t help but notice thatyoudidn’t come home last night.”

“Oh.” I wince at her stern expression. “Yeah. It, uh... well, the girls and I went to Sparks for karaoke and?—”

Mom cracks up. “Honey, relax,” she says, reaching out to squeeze my arm. “I don’t care. You do you, babe.”

I exhale softly. “I know I should have texted you. I was just... distracted.”

“That’s okay. I trust you! Of course, I’m not one to talk seeing as how I’m currently wearing the same dress I left the house in last night,” she says, briefly opening the brown jacket and flashing her red cocktail dress.

I gasp at the implication.“Mom!”

“I know!” She closes her jacket, though she doesn’t look the least bit shameful about it. “I’m walking dirty across Small Town like some sort of floozy or something, but I don’t care!” She giggles with glee. “Tish, it’s happening!”

“What’s happening?”

“I met a man!”

“A man?” I blink in surprise. “What man?”

“You know that client I met in Big City last week?”

“Yeah,” I say, nodding even though I don’t quite recall, truthfully. Mom is one of the most sought-after interior designers in all of Kiss County. She hasa lotof clients.

“Well, after our meeting, one of the head boss guys asked if I wanted to get some coffee with him. I thought, sure. Whatever. He’s cute. Maybe a bit stiff in our meetings, but some fun oughta loosen him up — and I was right! Long story short…” She bounces on her toes. “I’m in love!”

“Love?”

“I know it sounds crazy, kid. I mean, growing up in Kiss County, you hear your fair share of ridiculous one-night love stories, butthis...”She sighs, her eyes sparkling through faded day-old mascara. “He’s perfect, Tish. I’ve never met anyone who has made me feel this way before.”

“Okay, well... who is he?”

“His name is Richard and... oh, gosh, where do I even begin?!”

She lets out another laugh. This time, I laugh with her, the sound and feeling contagious. Hell, a part of me wants to jump up and down when I think about Riley, too.

“Tish!”Bruno barks behind us. “You’ve got tables.”

“Sorry,” I say over my shoulder before turning forward. “Mom, I’ve gotta get to work.”

“Okay, okay.” She grabs my hands, giving them a squeeze. “But tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“I invited him over for dinner tonight. I want you to meet him.”

“Already?” I ask.

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