4. Wren
FOUR
WREN
The midday lull has set in, so I exit the kitchen to get some fresh air out front where the smell of the dumpsters in the alley can’t reach me. I’m restless, and I don’t know why. It could be the ongoing lack of sleep, but I’m used to that, so it’s gotta be something else.
Indy, Kit, Bane, and Ridley are sitting at the bar, wolfing down the burgers Carlos just finished making while our new bartender, Jax, washes glasses.
She’ll be taking lunch a few days a week and joining Florian on weekends.
I love the energy she brings to the bar.
She’s pretty in an edgy way, with bleached blond hair that’s shaved on one side and hangs down her back on the other, lots of facial piercings, and a welcoming energy.
She waves at me. “Hey, Wren.”
“Hey, Jax. How was the lunch crowd today?”
“Thirsty. They gotta wash down all our delicious food.”
I smile. “It was hopping today.”
The guys seem to have fallen dead silent, like I walked in on a conversation they didn’t want me to hear.
“Everything okay?”
“Yep,” Indy says, his eyes shifting briefly to Ridley. “We were just shooting the shit.”
“Yeah, the shit,” Bane says.
Kit lowers his head and focuses on his fries while Ridley stares straight ahead like he’s reading all the liquor bottles.
“Cool. I’ll be on the patio.”
Before I can make it there, the front door opens and Salem, Jerryn, and Stewart enter the bar, all of them carrying boxes and bags. I hurry over to help, followed by Indy and Kit.
“What’s all this?” I ask.
“Decorations,” Salem says. “The whole street is gonna have a summer kick-off event. It’s just specials and decorations but it’ll be good for business since classes are ending at the university soon. If one or two businesses draw people in, we all potentially win.”
“Oh, sweet.”
“Which is on our list to talk to you about this week,” Indy says, bumping my arm with his as we carry stuff to the back. “We can hype your new summer menu and maybe put some specials together.”
“Can do. How much time do we have?”
“Salem just found out this morning that they want to do it next week. I guess the Chamber of Commerce came up with it on the spur of the moment.”
“They reached out to us directly.” Salem smiles big. “We’re one of the most important businesses in the city now.”
“Heck yeah,” Stewart says. “All week long students have been talking about what they want to eat from here before they leave for the summer.”
My chest swells with pride. This is what I wanted when I became a chef. “That’s awesome. I’ll work on a specials menu.”
After helping the guys, I return to my original goal of sitting outside for a bit, but I walk in on Ridley and Bane discussing something on Ridley’s phone.
“I don’t know, man,” Ridley says, gazing down at his screen. “He looks nice enough, but he’s got dead eyes.”
“What the fuck are dead eyes?” Bane asks, leaning closer to the phone.
“You know, nothing behind them.”
“It’s a picture on a phone. You’re being picky as fuck, man. If you’re gonna end your dry spell, you’re gonna have to lower your standards.”
My stomach twists slightly, but I’m not sure why. I finish my approach, leaning between the two guys.
“What are we doing?”
Ridley flinches, his breath hitching. “Nothing.”
Bane chuckles. “Looking through potential matches on a dating website.”
“Dating,” Ridley says, but his tone is bitter. “Hookup is more accurate.”
“Oh? What’s the site called?”
Ridley hands me his phone. There’s a mild looking man on the screen with a practiced smile on a pleasant face and the username “Big Mike.” The app name is one I haven’t heard of before, Honey Pot.
I hand the phone back. “Big Mike looks nice.”
Ridley scoffs. “I guess.”
“What’s wrong?”
“His standards are stupid high right now,” Bane says. “Unreasonably high. It’s obviously okay to have them, but he’s nitpicking.”
“Why?”
Ridley turns to me, lips parted, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Yeah, why, Ridley?” Bane teases.
Ridley huffs, so Bane does the talking again.
“Because he’s seen the end game, or at least a glimpse of it.”
Ridley’s brow creases as his eyes settle on mine. He offers a sheepish smile but nothing else, bringing me back to the conversation Salem and Florian had with me a little over a week ago.
“What are you looking for in a guy?” I ask the question even as my voice quivers.
“Um, I want… I mean?—”
The guys pile out from the back room, laughing and talking about ideas for next week, which kills the conversation. I see the relief on Ridley’s face as he joins their discussion, reverting back to the jovial, happy go lucky guy we’re all used to.
I step back, ready to go outside, but catch Bane’s lingering gaze.
He smiles at me, almost conveying something without using words.
Maybe Ridley thinks he’s into me, but we’ve had quite a few midnight sessions, and he’s never so much as even hinted at romance or anything else. He’s been a friend. Nothing more.
Shaking off the strange interaction, I find a chair in the sun, peel off my chef’s jacket, and lean back, absorbing the sun’s rays. I try to push thoughts of Ridley out of my head, but they persist. I’m not even close to wanting a relationship, but what if…
The idea bouncing around my head makes my chest tighten and my cock swell slightly. No. It’s a terrible idea. Getting involved with coworkers at all isn’t good, but a boss? Yeah, no. I’m stupid for even thinking about it.
But…
It would be nice to feel wanted again. Even better if Trent wasn’t the last guy who touched me.
Too bad Ridley is the worst option available, even if he’s also simultaneously the best. He’s attractive, single, and not looking for anything serious.
Hooking up with the boss worked out for Salem. Could I be as lucky?
I peer through the open glass doors to catch Ridley watching me. He blinks hard, like he was in a daze and tears his gaze away.
I told him before that every decision I’ve made since I walked into this bar has been the right one. I have to wonder how long that streak will last, and whether I’m willing to find out.