Page 40 of Break My Heart
I force out a smile. ‘Is that better?’
‘Way better.’ She turns me toward the door. ‘Go. And don’t worry about closing up. I can handle it.’
I laugh. ‘You think I’ll be there past two in the morning?’
‘I hope so,’ she mutters.
‘What does that mean?’ I say, turning to her.
‘Nothing.’ She smiles. ‘Go! Have fun!’
Going through the door to the back, I head to the break room to change. I put on a different pair of jeans and trade in my G’s t-shirt and boring bra for a lacy bra and off-the-shoulder sweater. It’s sexy but casual, like I just threw it on and didn’t put any thought into it. The truth is I put a lot of thought into it. I wanted something that was just tight enough and showed just enough skin to make Sawyer distracted to the point that he’s not thinking straight and will tell me what he’s up to. He can’t think I’m stupid enough to tell him how I make my beer, so what is it he wants? What’s he trying to find out?
* * *
When I get to Sawyer’s brewery, I see him next to a table with a group of guys. He’s smiling and talking loud so they can hear him over the noise in the bar. The place is packed because he’s still running that special, the one he copied from me. I decidednot to be angry about that, but instead take it as a compliment. He can copy my marketing tactics all he wants, but it’s the beer that will keep people coming back. Sawyer’s beer is good, but it isn’t as good as mine, and I’m counting on that to keep me in business.
‘Gina!’ Sawyer yells, motioning me to come over.
I work my way through the crowded bar to Sawyer. ‘Sorry I’m late.’
‘Don’t worry about it,’ he says, leaning down to me so I can hear. ‘I didn’t realize it was so late. The place has been like this for hours. I haven’t even had time to sit down.’
‘Do you want to cancel?’
‘No, I just need to check in with Wade, make sure he’s good before I go upstairs.’
‘Hey, aren’t you the girl who works at G’s?’ one of the guys at the table says.
‘I’m the owner,’ I say, proudly.
‘What are you doinghere?’ another guy asks.
I look at Sawyer, not sure how to answer.
‘I’m showing her the software I use for orders,’ he says.
‘The one I’m using keeps crashing,’ I say, adding to the story. ‘I was going to switch to the one Sawyer uses, but I wanted to see it before I do.’
‘And you decided to do this on a Saturday night?’ the first guy asks.
‘It’s the only time I had free,’ I tell him.
‘See you guys later.’ Sawyer puts his hand on my back. ‘Let’s go.’ He leads me away, stopping next to the bartender I met the night I came to check the place out. ‘Wade, you okay if I go?’
‘Yeah, I’m good.’
‘I’ll be upstairs if you need me.’ Sawyer takes off to the side of the bar, to a long hallway that leads to a set of metal stairs. He runsup them and stops at the top, getting his keys out to unlock the door.
‘You have to lock it?’ I ask. ‘Even though you’re right downstairs?’
‘I’ve had some problems, so yeah.’
‘What kind of problems?’
‘Women coming up here.’
‘Why would—’ I stop as I answer my own question. Sawyer is hot and he owns the place. I’m not surprised girls want to sneak up to his apartment. And he’s a Kanfield, which in this town is equivalent to being a rock star.
