Page 36 of Worth the Chase

She winced. “Not really.”

Damn.

Not the answer I’d hoped for, but I’d still kind of expected it.

“How’s everyone doing?” Addi shouted from behind the counter, and all her employees mumbled different responses.

“Great first day, everyone. This was incredible. A few kinks to work out, but we’ll get there,” Addi announced with pride in her voice.

I had no idea what kinks had gone on in the kitchen, but I was fully aware of the ones behind the bar.

“Anna, you can take off,” I said, and she gave me a look like she wasn’t quite sure how to respond.

“I should stay and help clean, shouldn’t I?” she asked.

It was true—she should stay—but I wanted to take inventory of our liquor and go through sales to see what cocktails haddone best and what we’d sold the most of. They were the kind of administrative tasks that I enjoyed doing alone.

“Typically, yes. But tonight, I kind of want to figure out how we can be better, going forward,” I said, hoping she wouldn’t argue because if she pushed me, I’d let her stay.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She jumped off the barstool and grabbed her things from behind the bar. “I get why you ice your feet now.”

“I’ll see you at home,” I said and watched as Anna headed out the door and Addi made her way toward me.

“You let her go?” she questioned.

“I have things I want to handle, and she’ll just mess me up,” I said, assuming that Addi, of all people, would understand that I was apparently a little controlling and didn’t always need an extra set of hands.

“I completely get that. How was the bar business? I swear I didn’t even check on you all day.”

“It was packed the entire time. Way more than I’d expected,” I admitted.

“Then, why do you look…” She cocked her head to the side and studied me. “I’m not sure what you look like.”

“Tired?” I offered, but we both knew that wasn’t it.

“Not tired, although you should be.” She raised her eyebrows and then narrowed her eyes. “You look like something I can’t place.”

“I just think it’s weird that Matthew didn’t show up.”

I couldn’t believe that I’d just said that out loud to her. The fact was, we had been insanely busy, but I’d noticed Matthew’s absence. Kept glancing toward the door, hoping to see him walking through it, but he never had. I thought it was weird. And annoyingly, I’d felt disappointment over it.

“I wondered if you’d notice that or not,” Addi said with a grin that told me she knew something I didn’t.

“What do you mean, if I’d notice?” I drained the sink before filling it with fresh water and cleaning fluid before setting the glasses inside to soak.

“I told the guys they couldn’t come until we closed.” She pointed at the door right when the four O’Grady men sauntered toward it together, looking way too sexy for their own good.

“Oh, good Lord,” I breathed out.

Addi laughed. “I know. Seeing them all together like that is a sight, isn’t it?” She stood there, staring, shaking her head.

“It’s something all right,” I agreed.

Jeremiah, Addi’s dad, hustled to catch up to the eldest O’Grady.

“Your dad’s here!” I said with a touch more enthusiasm in my voice.

“Of course he is. I had to threaten to break his leg again if he showed up any earlier.” She wiped her hands on the towel that was tucked into her apron.

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