Page 3 of The Hot New Bartender in Town

He says nothing. He merely gives the other girls a quiet nod and walks off, briskly making his way back toward the bar.

I check out his ass as he goes.

Tight blue jeans. Good choice.

Brenda loudly clears her throat to get my attention.

With a smirk of my own, I pick up the amaretto sour and take a sip. “See?” I say, feeling cocky. “That’s how it’s done, girlies.”

They laugh as I twist around, eager to make eye contact with him again. Back behind the bar, he walks from one end to the other, his attention on everyone but me.

Until the last moment before I look away, and he glances over and smiles.

Hot damn.

I’m in love already.

2

TISH

Shortly after my stunning show-stopper, the other girls begin to subtly check the time. Stifling a yawn, Mika stands up first, insisting she has to get up early tomorrow to help her father at Two Hearts Inn, her family’s business. But I can read the truth written all over her face: she misses Carter.

Even Lottie’s expression brightens with the thought that she’ll soon be back at home, curled up in Scott’s arms, their children fast asleep down the hallway.

At least Brenda is single. But she’s also opening at Bruno’s tomorrow morning, so when she finally rises to take her leave, I don’t stop her.

“You sure?” she asks, adjusting her handbag by her hip. “You won’t be too lonely?”

I glance toward the bar and smile. “Nope.”

She follows my gaze with a laugh, and then sighs. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” I say, giving her a wave.

Not wanting to linger too long at the empty table, I stand up and make my way toward the bar. It’s a far easier task now than it was an hour ago, the night growing darker and darker. SmallTown stays open late during the summer, our prime tourist season, but this being the last weekend of summer means the locals are growing tired. Most just want the whole thing to be over and done with.

Myself, however...

I get the feeling my summer fun has only just begun.

Zeroing in on the hot new bartender like a hawk, I perch myself on an empty bar stool not two feet away from him. I check my reflection in every mirrored surface around me, making sure my auburn hair hasn’t developed a mind all her own. Satisfied, I sit and wait for him to finish his task and take notice.

It doesn’t take long.

He looks up from his business at the cash register, his hands still counting a stack of dollar bills as he says, “Hi.”

“Hello.”

“I’ll be right with you.”

I smile in response, letting him get back to his counting. Once finished, he pushes the drawer closed and sidles a step to his left, planting himself in front of me, the bar counter the only border between us.

“You’re new in town,” I say. “What’s your name?”

“Riley,” he answers.

“Riley what?”

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