Page 42 of The Hot New Bartender in Town

“Thanks, Mom,” Tish says, her voice smothered against her mother’s shoulder.

“Thanks for coming out,” I say to my father.

A year ago, I never would have convinced him to set foot in a place like this. That’s changed, however. After a year of living in Small Town, of lawfully wedded bliss, my father has become a very different man.

A happy man.

“We wouldn’t miss it,” he says, patting me on the shoulder as he scans the packed bar. “You two draw quite the crowd nowadays.”

“We do,” I say, unable to believe it as I glance around.

“I’m proud of you, son.”

To that, I have no reply. I simply smile, bowing my head in gratitude as Tish discreetly and lovingly squeezes my hand.

“Excuse me?”

We look over, meeting eyes with a middle-aged woman with long blonde hair and an expensive leather jacket.

“Do you two have a moment?” she asks as she extends her hand. “I’m Charisma Conrad.”

Tish shakes it first. “I’m Tish,” she says. “And this is Riley.”

“Oh, I know exactly who you are,” Ms. Conrad says, chuckling. “So does everyone in this bar.”

She offers me her hand next. This time, she subtly drops a business card into my palm. I take a moment to skim it, my eyes blinking twice as I see the familiar cupid logo printed on the front of it.

“I work for Cupid’s Corner Bar in Big City,” she says. “And the two of you are exactly the type of entertainment we look for.”

“I’m sorry,” Tish says, her breath ceasing the moment the wordCupidhit her ears. “What did you say?”

Ms. Conrad laughs. “Oh, you’re adorable, too!” she says. “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

We spend the next hour chatting with Ms. Conrad, listening to her pitch. Three gigs over the next three weekends. Paid, of course. If we’re a hit, as Ms. Conrad suspects, then we’ll negotiate more shows.

“Of course they’ll be a hit!” Tanya says from the next table over, having eavesdropped on the entire thing. “My children are the most talented musicians in Kiss County!”

“Tanya, please,” Dad says next to her, unable to hold her back. “Let them discuss it in peace...”

“Your children?” Ms. Conrad asks. “I’m sorry. I thought you two were a couple.”

Before we can explain, Tanya says, “They are! She’s my daughter, he’s his son.” She giggles. “Step-siblings, am I right?”

Tish’s cheeks darken.“Mom.”

But Ms. Conrad waves a hand. “Hey, I’m not here to judge,” she says, amused. “It’s Kiss County!”

Shortly after, the moments a blur, we agree to those three shows over the next three weekends. We say goodnight to Ms. Conrad, offering her every word of gratitude in the world. Our parents congratulate us again and we wish them a happy anniversary, their one-year celebration not three days away.

Which makes tonightourone-year celebration.

I count down every blurred moment, waiting for when I can finally get her alone.

“Oh, my god, Riley!” Tish leaps into my embrace the second we step outside into the alleyway behind Sparks Pub. “Oh, my god! Oh, my god!”

I hug her close and kiss her hard, remembering her words from a year ago. Her Big City dreams. Her longing to stand on the stage at Cupid’s Corner Bar. It’s all coming true.

But there’s one more dream that still needs to come true tonight.

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