Page 54 of The Billionaire's Kiss
“What has you becoming a shut-in?” he asked as he moved with me.
“I work, Sean. I’m not quite a shut-in.”
“Yes, the barmaid thing. Don’t you think that you’re smarter than that?”
The hair on my arms stood up. I hated when people assumed that what I did was easy, mindless work. “I’m a mixologist. I think that’s a pretty prestigious career. And I’m working on a book right now as well.”
“A book about being a barmaid?” He chuckled as if he thought himself a comedian.
“A book about mixing cocktails and the origins of each of them. I had some particularly tasty cocktails when I went to Texas. Some of them were Latin in origin, and some were purely Texan. So I’ve been studying the history of various liquors and alcohols, and I’m writing a book about that.” It was a work in progress, but it was a passion of mine.
“A book about alcohol.” He seemed unimpressed. “Who would read that? A drunkard?”
And that’s why I don’t hang out with old friends anymore.
It always took something to refresh my mind as to why I didn’t go to house parties. It was always the same old faces. House parties were always filled with people who hadn’t gone anywhere or done anything substantial with their lives.
“It’s always a joy to catch up with old friends.” I held up my cup, then turned to leave them to their fire and cutting remarks.
“Don’t have too much fun, Orla Quinn,” Sean called out.
“Not to worry.” I headed inside to find Cara and let her know I was leaving. I’d done what I’d said I would, and now it was time to go. I found Cara standing with a group of people and went up behind her. “Hey.”
She turned and threw her arms open as if she hadn’t seen me in years, instead of only moments. “Here she is!” She pulled me into the circle of people. “This is Orla Quinn, the one I was telling you about. She’d make an exceptional barmaid for your tavern, Mr. Knight.”
I looked at the man she’d spoken to and found him smiling at me. He wasn’t that old for her to be calling him by such a formal name. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Knight.” I held out my hand.
He took it, turning it over, and kissing the top of it. “The pleasure is all mine,” he said with an English accent. “This one has told me of your skillset. I’m in need of a barmaid only a couple of nights out of each week, so I wouldn’t be taking you away from your current full-time employment at the lodge. And I would pay you well. My customers are excellent tippers. And I’m always around the tavern too. We could get to know one another.”
If I took the job, I wouldn’t have even one night off. “Thanks for the invitation, but I can’t take the job. I can help find someone for you, though.”
“He likes your look, Orla,” Cara whispered in my ear. “He saw you when we came in and asked about you. He’s interested in you, silly lass. Don’t you get it? In a romantic way.”
I didn’t like that at all. “Sorry, I can’t do it.” I spun on my heel and walked out the door without saying another word to anyone.
The idea of another man being attracted to me made my stomach turn. I put my hand around the pendant that hung from my neck. I knew that I didn’t belong to Warner Nash. I was free to see whomever I wanted.
But not yet.
