Page 71 of Since We're Here
Is a shipment coming in today? There’s nothing downstairs or out back
Patrick
I’m checking
A moment later he’s back.
Patrick
Damn. Nothing’s scheduled
Me
Oh no
Patrick
How did this happen?
Me
I don’t know, I’m sorry
Patrick
I’ll be in after I finish up at the brewery
I lay my phone on the bar, an uncomfortable feeling settling in me. He’s direct, and even himself admits he’s often misunderstood. It hasn’t bothered me before. But those words—how did this happen—seem pretty clear.
They’re an accusation.
The first customers walk in, and I serve Conor and Colin, the old brothers, and let myself worry.
Things are so good between us right now. In my past life, I’d soon find out he’s married, or obsessed, or hooking up with other people. My stomach twists. Is that what’s happening here?
No.
Everything is great, and it’s going to stay that way. It’ll only end when I leave town.
I serve a new group of patrons, grabbing tea and toasties instead of pints. The door swings open again, and my head spins in that direction, anticipating Patrick.
But he doesn’t show up until my shift is almost over.
“Fuck.”
Feckis his preferred swear word, so I know he’s upset.
Patrick’s perched on a barstool, scrolling through something on his laptop, a folder with delivery and order paperwork in a pile next to him. The pub’s starting to fill up, and he really needs to move so he doesn’t get a drink spilled on his things. I glance at my phone. Ronan should be here soon. I’m already planning on staying and working a double to cover Jax’s absence.
“So what happened?”
Patrick sighs and buries his hands in his dark hair, leaving it ruffled. I almost reach out to smooth it down when he looks up, but I hold back. He doesn’t look like he’s in a playful mood.
“Beth didn’t take care of it. But it’s my fault, not hers. She was just starting to deal with all the inventory and re-orders, but it all slipped through the cracks when she left.”
“The same day I showed up and made you hire me?” I mean it in a light way, and I tilt my head and lean toward him, hoping he smiles.
He doesn’t. It was the wrong tone for the situation.
