Page 26 of Hooked on Marshall

“You need a break,” I tell her. “Come sit at the bar so I can enjoy looking at you while I work.”

She takes a breath to protest but when I start to walk away, she calls out for me to stop. When she’s beside me, I give her a sweet kiss and take her hand in mine as I lead her out to the bar. Once she’s settled, I pour her a pint of my favorite craft beer and set it in front of her.

“Am I allowed to drink on the job?” she asks with a smile.

“You’re allowed to drink on your break,” I tell her. “But only one. Until later.”

Her eyebrows fly up in surprise. But she quickly settles in to enjoy her meal. I keep my eyes on her while I tend the bar, my smile never leaving my face. But I’m startled when I hear a familiar voice say my name.

“Good to see you, Marshall.”

“Mr. Riggin,” I chuckle. “What are you doing in here on a Monday afternoon?”

“Sometimes an old man needs to feel young again,” he says as he settles next to Lana. “And I can do that at a bar that makes me feel at home.”

“Very well, sir,” I nod. “What can I get you?”

He orders a pint of beer and a couple slices of pizza. I walk away to pour his drink as he leans over to kiss Lana on the cheek. She’s almost done eating, but if she sits to chat with her grandfather a bit, so be it. I have complete faith in her abilities so I’m not going to get pushy with her. When I deliver her grandfather’s pizza, she’s just finishing her beer.

“Okay, grandpop,” she sighs. “I need to get back to work.”

“Go ahead, sweetheart,” he says. “I’ll see you later.”

She kisses his cheek and slides off her barstool. When she starts to walk into the back, I catch her by the waist and steal a brief kiss. She hums against my lips. Then giggles as she walks away. When I get back in front of her grandfather, I’m not surprised that he questions me.

“I take it things are well with you and Lana?”

“Yes, sir,” I smile. “She’s agreed to be my girlfriend.”

“Very good,” he says. “I like the effect you have on her. She’s happier today than I’ve seen her since she moved back home.”

Damn. That’s a hell of a compliment.

“Thank you.”

“Just make sure you keep it that way,” he says firmly.

“Yes, sir.”

I chat with him intermittently while he eats and I serve customers. When he leaves, I insist on paying for his meal myself. He tries to argue, but I don’t budge.

“You already have my approval, son,” he chuckles. “You don’t need to buy me.”

“I don’t intend to,” I laugh. “Chalk it up to my happiness about being with Lana.”

“NowthatI can work with.”

“Enjoy the rest of your day, Mr. Riggin,” I say as I shake his hand.

“You as well,” he nods.

Then he’s gone. And I need a short break of my own. I leave Lana to her work when I first get into the office so I can use the restroom. But when I come back out, I lean on the back of her chair to see what she’s got going.

“Wow,” I tell her. “This is going to be great.”

“You really think so?” she asks.

“I know so,” I say as I wrap my arms around her shoulders. “You definitely have a knack for this kind of thing. I’m lucky to have you.”

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