Page 3 of Sweet Whiskey
The woman raises her eyebrows, clearly catching Brielle’s tension, but doesn’t say anything before turning around to make our drinks.
“Thanks,” I tell Brielle, squeezing her arm once.
She rolls her eyes. “Flies. Something about honey, right?”
I nod. “Exactly.”
“Plus, it wasn’t really a big deal to be rude about. How would a stranger know I don’t like to be reduced to the color of my hair?” She shakes her head.
Patting her shoulder, I smile. “You’ve got the right idea.”
Brielle blows out a breath, flicking her fingers. “I’m cool and collected.”
I bite down on my lip to keep from laughing. “Look at you. I’m so proud.”
“Here you go. Added a lemon just for you,Barbie.” The bartender winks, and I can almost see the flames coming out of Brielle’s ears.
I quickly move in front of her, placing money down. “Thank you!”
“Anything else I can get you?” she asks, stuffing the cash into her pockets.
Nerves spiral in my chest, and I nod.
“Yeah, I uhh—I actually wanted to ask if you recognize this man.” I pull out the photograph and slide it on the scratched-up wood for her to see. She picks it up, staring at it for a moment as her tongue presses against her teeth, visible through her open mouth.
“He looks familiar. Hard to tell,” she drawls, her eyes sharpening as she returns the photograph.
Brielle cocks her head to the side, and I grab her wrist, warning her to let me handle this. I caught the lie as much as she did.
“Okay, do you know where I can find him? It’s kind of important.” Grabbing the folded-up image, I shove it back into my pocket.
The woman shakes her head, giving me a pitying look. “Nah. You’re better off asking one of the cowboys.” She’s throwing me a bone as much as she can, and I can feel her resistance to offer more.
Brielle perks up. “Cowboys? Like real cowboys?”
She looks over at my best friend, unamused. “Sure thang, honey. Real cowboys.” With a condescending laugh, she pushes off the bar.
“Wait!” I call out, and she stills, looking up at me again. “Uhm. We’re new in town. Do you know of any places that are hiring?”
Her eyebrow raises. “You staying or passing through?”
“I…I don’t know yet.”
“What’s your name?”
“Kinsey, and this is Brielle.”
She gives my best friend an unimpressed glance before looking back at me. “Tracy. And if you’re serious about a job, we might be hiring.”
I smile, standing straighter. “I have a few years as a waitress, but no bartending.” If you can callhelping a few tables full of other omegas waitressing, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Tracy nods, the hesitant expression on her face not giving me much hope. “I’m sure you haven’t seen a waitressing job like this one. Why don’t you hang around and see? If you’re still interested, come find me.”
“What about me?” Brielle says with narrowed eyes.
Tracy laughs. “You’re too volatile. I can tell just by looking at you.” She walks to the other side before we can respond, and Brielle has her mouth open in faux outrage.
“I think she just assumed who I am by my resting bitch face.”
