Page 10 of You Belong With Me

“Speak of the devil,” I say when I realize Andreas sent out a text to the entire staff.

Andreas Rivera:

We’ll be reopening sooner than expected. You’ve done well with cleaning. I’m impressed. Doors open tomorrow for lunch. Thanks for your cooperation.

“Thank God,” Holly says. “I thought we’d never get that shithole cleaned to his standards.”

We all laugh and finish our meals with cheerful conversations. I shove Andreas out of my head and enjoy their comradery. Eventually, we part ways and I head home with a stomach full of sushi and a clear head.

7

Chapter Seven

Alana

The towel in my hands is slightly damp as I wipe the condensation off a chilled martini glass. Holly and Trent are arguing over where we should go for our night out. They’ve convinced me to party with them since Trent was so well behaved when we went out for sushi the other day. Thankfully, Andreas stayed true to his word, and we reopened this evening. My bank account couldn’t go another week without bartending.

“Come on, Alana, back me up here. We have to hit up The Hive, right?” Trent says with a wink, laying it on thick as usual.

He’s always flirting, but I’ve learned to deflect it gracefully.

“Actually, Trent, I’m with Holly on this one. Club Noir has a great atmosphere, plus they have that jazz band playing tonight,” I reply, trying to stay neutral.

“Fine, fine,” Trent concedes, rolling his eyes playfully. “But you’re dancing with me at least once.”

He shoots me a grin, and I can’t help but smile back.

“Excuse me,” a deep voice interrupts our conversation.

I turn toward the bar rail and see him—Andreas. His stare is intense, like he’s trying to undress me with his eyes. He waves me over, a cocky smirk plastered across his face. With annoyance coloring my features, I look back to Holly and Trent and blow out an annoyed breath before approaching him.

“What do you want?” I ask, using a snotty tone to mask my sudden nervousness. It’s hard to ignore those piercing blue eyes. How does his gaze piss me off and turn me on at the same time? The man is a walking contradiction.

“Beer, please,” he says.

I bite back a sarcastic comment and swallow hard before grabbing a frosty mug and filling it from the tap.

“Here,” I say, sliding the beer across the counter toward him.

Andreas smirks again, his gaze never leaving mine.

“Thanks,” he says, lifting the mug to his lips.

I watch as the liquid disappears down his throat, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

“Alana?” Holly calls my name, snapping me back to reality. “Are you okay? Your face is red, and you look like you’re gonna puke.”

“Uh, yeah, I’m fine,” I stammer. “Just…busy.”

I turn my back to Andreas, trying to focus on my work and not on my boss. The dim lights of the bar cast a warm glow on the polished wood, and the low hum of conversation fills the air. I’m wiping down the counter when Andreas calls me over to him.

“Another beer?” I ask, my tone cool and detached.

“Sure,” he replies with a smirk, his eyes never leaving mine.

I fill a glass and set it in front of him, trying my best to keep my hands steady. “Did you come in here to be rude and give me a hard time?”

“Maybe I like the view,” he says, taking a sip of his beer.

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