I tilted my head. “Sorry for what?”
He sighed. “I know I was awful to you back then. I know that I messed things up between you and Oliver.”
“What do you mean?” Confusion rushed over me, threatening to turn into panic. “How did you ruin things?”
“By telling him to suspect you and Tristan,” he answered, looking down as if ashamed.
“It was you?” I gasped.
No wonder Oliver hadn’t believed me. His own father told him that I was some kind of floozy.
“I’m sorry, Lexie,” he said. “I hope one day you can forgive me.”
He walked away, toward one of the tables, and all I could do was stare straight ahead, shell-shocked.
I always knew that his father didn’t like me, but I never thought he’d sabotage our relationship. I understood better now why Oliver believed something had happened, but he should have trusted me. He should have believed in our love.
I cleared my throat as more orders came through on the printer, throwing myself into work, steadily making the drinks and keeping the ice cooler full. I was glad I didn’t have to speak to anyone other than Krista and Raoul. My head was spinning, and I didn’t think I’d be very good company to patrons.
“Are you all right?” Raoul asked softly as he came over to get a couple of rum and cokes.
I wiped sweat from my brow. “Sure. Just tired.”
“We could switch places, if you’d like,” he offered, and I smiled at him gratefully.
“Thanks, but I’d rather stay behind the bar. I’m not used to dealing with all these rich folks.”
He chuckled. “Me, either. But it’ll be worth it when we split our tips.”
I nodded and he took off with the drinks. Oliver was nowhere in sight, and I was surprised. He’d said that he’d be there to help.
It was another hour before he showed up, coming through the door looking disheveled and flustered.
“Sorry I’m late,” he muttered to Krista.
“It’s okay,” she said. “Please help Lexie behind the bar.”
I winced and groaned inwardly. We were going to be in close proximity, pouring drinks together, but what could I do? Refuse? He was my boss.
Oliver came behind the bar and I was surprised he didn’t smell like whiskey. I’d been sure he’d been drinking last night when he sent those text messages.
“Everything okay?” I asked quietly, a little worried.
“Trent has a high fever,” he answered, filling cups with ice to help the orders move along quicker. “He’s with his grandmother.”
I frowned. “Poor guy. I hope he feels better soon.”
Oliver turned to me, his eyes intense, and I couldn’t help but turn away. When he looked at me like that, it made my knees weak, and I was determined to still be angry with him.
I’d lost everything when he broke up with me, moving out of Wagontown to recover.
I continued to focus on pouring drinks as they came in, avoiding Oliver as much as possible. We worked in silencebut we were a good team, making sure that each drink was perfect.
When I went to each table and booth to bus drink glasses since we were running low, Oliver’s father stared at me. I didn’t know what he expected. Did he want me to forgive him after everything his lies caused?
I knew he was my child’s grandfather, and I wouldn’t keep them apart, but as for a relationship with me, that wasn’t going to happen.
It was nearly dusk by the time everyone trailed out. Krista, Raoul, and I were counting our tips at a back table when Oliver walked over.