Page 4 of Hooked on Marshall

She nods, taking my explanation well enough and walking away. I get back behind the bar and stew for a bit while I force a smile and take care of some customers. Ten minutes pass and I’m about to head back to the office to check on Lana when she finally walks out. And fuck me, if it isn’t some kind of sight to behold.

Whatever had upset her earlier seems to be ancient history. There’s a beautiful smile on her face and she’s walking with her head held high as she approaches a high-top table that has just been seated. As is her way, she makes conversation with the couple before she goes about taking their order. I’msmiling before I consciously realize it. Even more so when she approaches with her ticket for drinks.

“Two Sam Adams, please.”

Her voice is light, but she’s back to not making eye contact with me. And if I’m being honest, I suddenly miss it even though I’ve only been blessed with the sight of her gorgeous eyes a handful of times recently. With practiced ease, I grab two pilsner glasses and head for the taps. As soon as they’re poured, I set them on the bar for Lana to pick up. She does so in less than thirty seconds after giving me another drink order.

And so goes the afternoon.

Lana is the perfect server to all her tables. She’s distant from me. But every time she’s checked her phone, something has passed over her features that makes me wonder what’s really going on. And if that same trouble is why she was so upset when she came in.

Unfortunately, I have no time to question her before we’re locked up for the night and she’s out the back door to her car before I can catch up to her. Uncertain what else to do, I swing by to check on Gina and my nieces to make sure they’re ready for their return to the real world tomorrow. Luckily, Audrey is in third grade and Nina is in kindergarten in the elementary school where Gina works, so at least Gina will be close if either of the girls has a breakdown. As far as Gina goes, she’s been stronger than anyone could have expected her to be. Her own family went back home earlier today, but they only live one town away.

And just before I head to my childhood home, where I’ve been staying with my parents since Mark’s accident, Gina follows me onto the porch and gives me the opening I didn’t know I wanted until this moment.

“I need your help,” she sighs.

“Anything,” I tell her with a smile. “You know that.”

“I know,” she nods. “I just…don’t want any of you upset with me for it.”

“We’re all here for you, Gina,” I tell her earnestly. “Whatever you need, we’ve got you.”

“God, I hope so.”

She looks down when she says this. So, I step forward and grip her shoulders until she looks up at me.

“Spill it, Gina,” I say. “What do you need?”

Tears fill her eyes as she barely whispers the words.

“I want to sell the Alehouse.”

Four

When I go into work on Monday, Marshall isn’t there. Thank God. After the last two days, I need a reprieve from him. Not just his good looks and his apparent concern for me, but from his touch, too. Being in his arms yesterday afternoon was far too comfortable. And I can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.

Not that I could with Marshall because he’s not married. And he’s also not my boss. But I feel like he’s off-limits for some reason. As if being Mark’s brother means he’s not available, much like Mark’s wife Gina will be, too, while she continues to mourn his loss.

But after I clock in, set my purse in a locker, and tuck my phone behind the register, Jace calls us all together for a quick meeting. In less than a minute, we’re gathered at the bar. Waiting for what feels like the other shoe to drop.

And it does.

“Well, there’s no way to sugarcoat this, so I’m just going to shoot you all straight,” he sighs. “Gina’s selling the Alehouse.”

Most of us suck in a sharp breath first. Then the questions come flying. What if the new owner fires us all? What if they make it into something else? What if they tear the place down? As expected, Jace doesn’t have any answers. And I make a mental note to get moving this week to find a job in my desired field. Part of me wonders if I could just set up shop here in my hometown. But I’d have to establish myself first with one or two businesses before I could make it my full-time job. I had intended on doing that with the Alehouse, but with the future full of uncertainty, that might not be possible anymore.

After shaking off the shock, we all go about getting ready for the day. The rest of the week passes easily enough. I spendmy time off applying for jobs in my field while also visiting the businesses in my hometown to offer my services. By Friday of the following week, I’ve got nothing to show for my efforts. On Saturday morning, the entire staff is asked to come into the Alehouse for a meeting before opening. I’m not too keen about it because I’m working a double so another waitress can attend a wedding, but since it’s more than likely about the future of the business, I suppose I better be there.

To my surprise, Gina Jones is also in attendance. She’s smiling as she chats with Jace and greets everyone when they walk in. When everyone has arrived, she asks for everyone’s attention. The tension in the room is heavy. Even as Gina turns her beautiful smile to us, no one seems to relax.

“First of all, I want to apologize if my decision to sell has caused any of you undue anxiety,” she says softly. “But I need you to know that I didn’t come to this decision lightly. It’s just that…as much as I helped bring this place to life, it was Mark’s baby. Not mine. And something about keeping my hand in it just didn’t seem right without him here.”

She pauses, and sniffs. Fighting back tears. Several others do as well. Then she takes a deep breath and continues.

“That being said, I think I’ve made the best decision I can for the future of Brick Oven Alehouse,” she says brightly. “So, let me introduce you to the new owner.”

She turns her head just as Mark’s brother walks out from the kitchen. The reaction is instant and overwhelmingly positive. There are gasps of shock quickly followed by shouts of approval and a lot of applause. I’m smiling without realizing it. And my hands seem to clap on their own. But my heart is twisting in my chest as my traitorous body warms at the thought of working for one Marshall Jones. I mentally slap myself at the thought and do my best to focus on what he’s about to say as he gestures for us to cease applause.

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