Page 8 of The Inkslinger

“Oh my God! I never even thought of that.” Lily looks crushed.

“Wait until closing and you can have a talk with her,” I suggest. “She’s smiling right now so she can’t be that unhappy.”

Leaning over the bar, I brush a kiss against her cheek before turning to look for Alistair. I hope he found a table where I can discreetly spend the rest of the night staring at Hailey.

Chapter Five

Did He Really Just Do That?

Hailey

I wasn’t supposed to have my first shift tonight, but I had only been at the house an hour when Lily called, begging me to start. It’s not like I had plans or anything so why the hell not?

The night started out slow, Lily introduced me to a couple of regulars, but soon people were pouring into the bar. The music is loud and upbeat, and I can’t help myself from smiling and singing along with some of the older country music blaring out of old-school jukebox. I had forgotten I actually knew most of the songs.

Lily works beside me with a smile, her energy infectious, and before I know it, the night is over and it’s two in the morning.

“That was amazing!” Lily throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tighter than anyone has in years. “Thank you so much.”

That’s another difference in this town. The people are all super affectionate. Thinking back to when I discreetly watched Laine kiss her cheek has jealousy flowing through my veins once more. Even though I know it was innocent. I can’t project my insecurities and past problems onto these new people, and I need to remember that.

“I should be thanking you for getting your man to give me this job,” I say with a smile.

“You don’t feel uncomfortable? You know, all the men staring at you?”

“Why would I?” I ask with a frown. “Do you know what I do for a living?”

Lily lifts a brow and scans me head to toe. “You’re a bar lady?”

I laugh loudly, pulling up my social media profile on my cell phone before passing it to her. She stares at the screen before flipping through numerous posts.

“Damn, woman!” she exhales. “That’s hot.”

I chuckle before giving her a reply. “To answer your question, I don’t care who stares at me. It’s part of life. Why would you even be worried about that?”

She blushes like I have caught her in a lie or something. “Laine suggested—”

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