Page 5 of Wildflower and Whiskey
“So do I have the job, boss?” she asked with a smile that wavered. I hated to see her confidence lacking because this girl was bustling with confidence in high school.
“You got the job,” I told her, which bought me a wide smile.
“Thanks, Phoenix. I won’t let you down,” she said, and for some reason it felt like her words carried weight.
I nodded. “Have a good night, Elyna.”
“You too,” she replied and removed her apron. My gaze dropped to her chest. Damn, she had a nice rack. I blinked the thought away. Don’t go there. You’ll only get burned.
“Did you want full-time hours or part time?” I asked while I was chiding myself for ogling her since she didn’t need that from me, despite the fact I was a man and she was a beautiful woman, who I assumed was single.
“Part time would be best for now. I left Braden all day with Mrs. Jansen and I’m sick over it. Luc will be coming home in just over a month for summer break, and then he’ll help me with the babysitting, and I can take on more hours,” she explained. Her explanation made me feel sick to my stomach. I don’t know what happened between her and Riley, but I never liked the guy.
“Part time it is,” I confirmed. “I’ll get Dominic to put you on the schedule half days, mornings only.”
“Thanks, Phoenix,” she said, her voice softening. That softness did something to my insides.
I nodded. “Have a good evening.”
With that she left, and I was left sulking at the bar.
Coop walked up to me. “What hold does that girl have over you?” he asked, being nosy.
I met Cooper after high school when I decided to leave Val-Du-Lys and travel Europe.
“No hold, Coop. Our moms were best friends. It’s a history I’d rather forget,” I informed my best friend. Cooper knew aboutMom taking off on us. I told him one night when I got too drunk in Amsterdam.
“There’s more to this story,” he insisted. “You didn’t like me flirting with her. You usually don’t care.”
Now he chose to be perceptive.
“I don’t want to talk about her, Coop,” I said. “Don’t you have a keg to fill?”
“Okay, okay.” He lifted his hands in surrender. “So, you wouldn’t mind if I asked her out?”
My eyes narrowed to slits. “She’s a single mom, for crying out loud.”
“So, doesn’t mean she doesn’t want sex,” he replied.
My mind moved to the way Elyna looked in that white dress shirt. The way it stretched across her ample chest.
“You need to get laid, my friend,” Coop said. “How long has it been?”
“Too long,” I replied dryly. Between running this place, living on my own, and stopping by Dad’s house to make sure my brothers were doing okay, I usually didn’t have time to date. There was also the issue that Val-Du-Lys was a small town, and I pretty much knew everyone here. I only did one-night stands, and I didn’t like to get involved with the ladies in this town. It didn’t mean I was a complete recluse though. I’d hooked up with some of my customers, who came in from out of town. I also headed out to Montreal on occasion with Coop, just to get away and take a breather. It had just been a while since I’d been with a woman. That was all.
“Yeah, bro. That’s exactly my point. The tension between you and Elyna is palpable,” he continued, being an annoying ass.
“Cooper, cut it out,” I demanded. “I’m not going there, and neither are you.” My tone came out a lot stronger than I meant it too.
“Easy there, tiger. I got the message,” he said.
I should have been put at ease with his response, but I wasn’t. I was acting protective over Elyna while secretly pining for her, and that should’ve told me one thing. I was royally screwed.
CHAPTER 3
Elyna
Two weeks passed in a blur. The brewery felt like routine now and my second home, even if it came with sore feet, early mornings, and the constant weight of Phoenix’s stare burning across the room. I’d never admit it out loud, but sometimes that look steadied me and kept me from unraveling. Other times his gaze made me feel exposed, like he could see through the walls I worked so hard to keep up.
