Page 106 of Save Me

“I do this sort of thing when my folks are here too.”

“That’s not the point,” Ronan said with mild disapproval. “Just…try to put your focus on the business and not your bedroom, okay?”

Part of him wanted to be annoyed, but everyone knew he was a shameless flirt and pretty much accepted it. Hell, he enjoyed it! That wasn’t going to change because his parents were on vacation. And while he appreciated his uncle’s concern, it wasn’t necessary.

“Come on…you know most of the time it’s just a little harmless flirting…”

“Oh, God. Is he bragging again?”

Jamie turned and saw his brother Patrick standing behind him. “Of course I’m bragging,” he said with a laugh. “I mean…I’m awesome. Why wouldn’t I brag?”

Rolling his eyes, Patrick stepped around him and shook Ronan’s hand. “I’m sorry that you have to deal with him while mom and dad are away.”

Their uncle let out a hearty laugh. “Patty, I’ve been dealing with your little brother on a daily basis for years. I don’t think your parents being here makes things any better.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded.

“It means you’re a pain in the ass no matter what,” Patrick told him. “And as much as I’d love to sit here and list all the ways that applies, I need to bring lunch back to the office. Can I get a BLT on the hearty whole grain for me with fries and a Greek salad with grilled salmon for Marissa?”

With a nod, Jamie wrote it down and brought it back to the kitchen for their cook to work on. When he walked back out to the bar, his brother still had a stupid grin on his face. “What now?”

“Dude, paranoid much?”

“Please, you’re looking at me like I’m some sort of dufus, so…”

“You have to admit, most of the time, that’s what you act like,” Patrick reasoned. “I just hope you don’t burn this place to the ground before mom and dad get back.”

“Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he murmured.

“Jamie, look…most of the time, you walk around here schmoozing with the customers—particularly the female ones—and you don’t seem to take anything seriously. This pub is everything to mom and dad. I’m just…concerned. Hell, we’re all concerned! You need to buckle down and maybe focus a little less on your social life. I’m sure you can handle maybe dating only three women at a time for the next six weeks.” Winking, he reached for a handful of pretzels that were in a basket on the bar.

“So obviously you were talking to Uncle Ronan…”

“Believe me, we all know how you are, but this is the first time mom and dad have taken any time off for themselves. This is a big deal and no one wants them to be freaked out or worrying while they’re gone. Just maybe…be a little more conscientious while they’re gone.”

“I’m totally conscientious, Patrick. I know how to run every aspect of this business and you know dad went over everything a dozen times with me before he agreed to this trip. Mom was going to go no matter what,” he added with a small laugh. “But dad wouldn’t have gone if he didn’t think I could handle it. So you all need to just relax and unclench. I’ve got this.”

“We’ll see…”

The thing was, Jamie was used to people underestimating him. He was the laid-back Donovan, the happy-go-lucky Donovan, the charming Donovan. He rarely took anything seriously and so to the casual observer, having him running the pub was an accident waiting to happen. But he was going to prove them all wrong. He was not only going to run the pub, but he was going to run it more efficiently than ever. His parents had their way of doing things and that was all fine and well, but Jamie had been waiting for the right time to implement some small changes that were going to yield them some nice profits.

“Order up, Jamie!” Bobby called out and Jamie excused himself to go and serve it.

He worked the room and stopped at a few tables to chat with some of the regulars, and he was in his element. He loved hearing what was going on in people’s lives and joking around with them. Both his brothers were far too serious and not exactly the types who could be called sociable. Jamie was a people person, and he had a knack for putting people at ease and making sure they left the pub with a smile.

It's also the way he looked at his dating life. He always made sure the women walked away with a smile.

And that had been true until Jenn.

Jenn.

Ugh…

He was going to have to deal with her eventually. Especially if her little threat of “you’ll be sorry” actually came into play.

What the hell would he have to be sorry for? They broke up six months ago, for Pete’s sake!

That reminded him, his phone was still in the office, and he really should have it on him in case anyone—other than Jenn—was trying to reach him. His family all knew to call the pub, but…you never knew. And if he was going to play the part of the responsible manager of a successful pub and eating establishment, he should be accessible at all times.

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