Page 3 of Flirting with the CEO

“That list got published yesterday. Maybe people came to check it out,” Jake suggested.

There was a long line to get drinks. Gabe and the bartenders were not going to be able to handle everything.

"How are everyone's bartending skills?" I asked.

"I can follow a recipe," Cade said.

"I probably can too," Jake replied.

Spencer shook his head. "I can't stay. Promised Penny I’ll be home soon."

"You go home. You've got a kid, but the three of us can stay and help Gabe. Right?" I asked, glancing at Jake and Cade.

"That's a good idea," Jake said. "Let me just text Natalie."

Cade nodded. "I'll tell Meredith that I'm going to be late.”

Guilt gnawed at me. I was used to calling the shots, but I wasn't a jackass. Of course they had other plans.

"Go if you have plans with your women. I'll stay here and help Gabe on my own."

"No, the girls will understand," Cade said.

I still wasn't used to three of my brothers having significant others. It had been just us for as long as I could remember. Obviously, we dated, but until last year, no one we ever dated had been part of the group. Natalie, Meredith, and Penny were considered family now, and I liked all of them a lot.

"Want to ask Gabe if he actually wants you here?" Spencer suggested. I knew he was only half joking.

"We all know you like to be in charge, Colton, but maybe double-check with him," Cade added.

I walked behind the counter, straight to my youngest brother, tapping his shoulder.

He looked sideways at me. "Sorry. I'll be right with all of you.”

"How about Jake, Cade, and I give you a hand?"

"Are you serious? That would be amazing."

Gabe never pretended to have things under control. If we offered help and he needed it, he accepted it. Something that was more difficult for the rest of us. Especially for me. I hated asking for help.

I looked up at the rest of my brothers and nodded at them to come behind the counter.

Spencer waved and headed out, and Jake and Cade came right next to me.

"All right. You have recipes somewhere?" Cade immediately asked.

Gabe nodded. "Guys!" he called to his two bartenders. "My brothers are going to help. Here's what we’re going to do. You two will take over any of the custom house drinks we have on the menu, and my brothers will mix all the standard cocktails. We've got the recipes right there." He pointed at a stack of cards that was hidden under the counter. I grabbed the box and put it out so we could all easily reach it.

"We’re on it," I said.

Gabe winked. "You can take the workaholic out of the office, but you can’t take the work out of the workaholic, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a workaholic. I just like to get things done."

"That's why we haven't seen you for, like, a million years," Gabe replied.

"Okay, less talking. Get to work,” I said.

We all started prepping drinks, and it really reduced the customer wait time. Most of the orders were for a wine or beer, and that was easy to do.

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