Page 275 of The Maxwell Brothers
Damn, he was already a huge influence on my mood. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
By the time I arrived at the bar, I’d made my peace with the fact that I wasn’t going to see Declan.
Out of all my jobs, I probably liked bartending the most. Mixing cocktails was easy, and I liked chatting with strangers. I was a very outgoing person, and my work at Richard’s Catering didn’t involve much interaction with either the other employees or customers. It was true what they said, bartenders were sort of like therapists. People tended to share personal stuff for no reason.
“And anyway, that's my story,” Bob said. I’d met him twenty minutes ago, and I already knew that his girlfriend left him just as he was about to propose.
“It's better you found out now rather than after proposing,” I said.
"Still sucks," he said.
"I agree.”
“More tequila, please.”
"And you promise you’re not driving?"
"Pinky promise."
That made me laugh. "All right."
This evening was much busier than yesterday. My boss was here too, serving the customers at the other end of the bar. She said she’d lock up tonight but asked me to stay until all the customers left. My feet were hurting a bit, but I’d be home soon and would soak them in soothing warm water.
We were out of ice, so I went in the back to bring some to the bar. My phone beeped with an incoming message as I grabbed a bag of ice from the freezer.
It was a text from Declan. And just like that, a zing of energy coursed through me. I wasn't even feeling the ache in my feet anymore.
Declan: Are you finishing your shift early today too?
I replied immediately.
Liz: Nope. Midnight.
Declan: Okay.
He thinks I’ll be satisfied with a simple "Okay”?
Liz: Why?
Declan: It's a surprise.
I waited, but the bubbles showing he was writing didn't appear anymore.
Liz: You're not going to tell me anything, huh?
Declan: Nope
This man!
I knew I wasn't going to get anything out of him, so I put the phone in my pocket again and went back up front with the ice.
My mind was on Declan for the rest of my shift. I was giddy at the thought that he was going to be at home.Notmyhome, I corrected myself. I had my place, and he had his. Still, that didn't mean I couldn't be giddy.
Once my shift ended, my boss, Dora, closed up. I went outside with Bob and ordered him an Uber from his phone, then waited with him, watching him get in the car.
"You walk all your customers to their car?" Declan asked, making me jump.
I turned around, spotting him right next to the entrance. How had I missed him?
