Chapter Three
Theo
“Two Rolling Rocks, a sea breeze, three ice waters, a grilled chicken Caesar salad, and two burgers with fries.”
Tony gave me the order, and I punched it in on the tablet.
Computerizing Sweeny’s and adding food other than wings, mozzarella sticks, and chips with salsa had been the first step on my list when I’d taken over from my father.
He’d refused any of my attempts to modernize our system or expand the menu, insisting the bar remain simply that—a place where people came to drink and watch sports, which meant they’d usually show up late, after dinnertime.
I knew the key to success was to get customers in earlier, so I’d set up separate areas for different sports, bought large-screen TVs, and expanded the kitchen and staff to accommodate the new menu, which included burgers, pizzas, fish and chips, chicken dishes, sandwiches, and salads.
“Here you go. How’s it looking so far?”
It was Friday evening, two days after my disastrous night at the hotel bar. Merely thinking about it gave me hives, and I internally cringed with embarrassment. It was bad enough that I hadn’t been able to go through with it, but to run into Jaxon Polaris, of all people, kissing another man…
God. I’d wanted the floor to open and swallow me up.
“Busy as hell, but I’m making more tips today than ever. The best thing you ever did was expand the menu. People come for dinner and stay to watch the games, just like you said.”
I had to agree with him, and my bank account reflected it. My nest egg was growing rapidly.
“Great. Exactly what I hoped for. Let me ask you something. Do you need another server to help? I want to make sure you’re not being spread too thin.”
I started filling his order and placing the glasses on a tray while Tony stood there, thinking.
“Well…I mean, it can get busy, but I’m okay.” He flashed me a nervous smile. “I can handle it, and money’s tight, what with me ’n Ashley saving for the wedding.”
I frowned. “I’m not liking the sound of that. If you’re worried about making less money, don’t be. We’re pulling in enough for that not to happen.”
Relief filled his eyes. “Thanks, Theo. In that case, yeah, it would be great to have extra hands—especially on Fridays and weekends.”
“Consider it done.”
He gave me a thumbs-up and left with the tray. With basketball and hockey in full swing, almost every seat was filled, so I pitched in, pouring drinks and bringing the orders from the kitchen while Tony cleared tables.
During a lull, after the Hoops game was over, I finally had a chance to grab a soda. I rarely ate anything, believing it wasn’t hygienic to serve liquor while handling food.
“Sure you don’t want something stronger? You’ve been a man in motion for more than half an hour.”
I jerked, causing the liquid to spill through my fingers. Setting the glass down, I washed and dried my hands slowly, taking the chance to catch my breath and quiet the storm that rose within my chest upon hearing Jaxon Polaris’s voice.
“I-I don’t drink. Not really.” Careful now, I refilled my soda and took a sip. “What c-can I get you?”
Dammit. Why did every word catch in my throat whenever this man was near?
“I broke free from the office, and I’m starving. Is the kitchen still open?”
I checked the time. It was close to eleven, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
“Yes, of course. What can I get you?”
“I know it’s bad for me, but how about some fish and chips? I’ve had a hankering for something crunchy and fried all night.”
His smile was devastating, and I couldn’t help but return it.
“S-sure. I’ll put the order in for you now,” I said as I punched it into the tablet.
“You’re a lifesaver, Theo. And if you have the chance—”
“A Grey Goose on the rocks with a twist?” I finished for him, blushing at his raised brow. “I’ve never seen you order anything else, and almost no one else drinks it. They’re satisfied with the well vodka.” I grinned. “Plus, this is more of a beer or whiskey crowd.”
“Still,” he murmured, fixing me with a thoughtful stare. “It’s nice to be remembered.”
Who in their right mind could forget a man like Jaxon?
The thick sweep of dark hair hanging couldn’t hide the brightness of his blue eyes and his lips always quirked upward, as if he knew a joke the rest of us didn’t.
We were the same height, but he gave the impression of being larger, as he was brawny and muscular.
In other words, the exact opposite of me.
I made his drink, and handing it over, our fingertips brushed, and I pulled away as if touched by a flame, tingling everywhere.
“Theo,” Tony called from the opposite end of the bar.
“ ’Scuse me,” I mumbled and raced off.
Preparing a tray of drinks and opening bottles for several tables gave me a chance to sort my racing thoughts and get my reaction to Jaxon under control.
Jaxon Polaris had rarely left my mind since the first time he’d appeared at Sweeny’s fifteen years before. Monty Parsons, the district attorney, had brought the staff in for drinks to celebrate Jaxon’s hiring. Seeing Jaxon walk in, I’d instantly been smitten.
As the years had passed, I’d surreptitiously watched him discuss trials he’d won and accept congratulations after he’d won the race for DA. Every time he left with a man who’d become enthralled with his stories, my heart shriveled a little.
Not me. Never me. I was merely the bartender, a backdrop, smoothing the way with drinks while I wished for him to reach over the bar, grab my hand, and take me home to his bed.
But why would he notice me? A stuck-in-a-rut man who could barely string two sentences together if I were lucky enough to have him speak to me? And still, the nights he showed up at Sweeny’s, even if only for a quick drink, brightened the dull monotony of my life.
Tony departed with his beverage orders, and I left the bar for the kitchen to pick up the food, including Jaxon’s meal. When I handed it to him, he glanced around.
“Thanks. It’s clearing out a little, I think.”
I peered over my shoulder. “Yeah. Once the games end, people leave. Plus, the kitchen closes at eleven.”
He smirked at that. “Then I really appreciate you helping me out, Theo. Otherwise, I’d have to go to the supermarket and pick up something to microwave.” He chuckled at the face I must have been making. “Not a fan, I presume?”
“I never eat microwaved food. I know Sweeny’s is only a step up from fast food, but this is what the customers want. At home, I try and eat healthy.”
Jaxon crunched a piece of fish. “I never met a vegetable I didn’t hate.”
I couldn’t think of anything witty or interesting to respond to that, but I was so damn grateful he hadn’t mentioned Wednesday night. This was also one of the longest conversations I’d had with him, and I’d do anything to prolong it, so I pivoted.
“S-so…you’re really busy? Is it still that big drug case that Deputy Starr was involved with?”
Jaxon finished chewing his fry before replying, “No, that’s done for now, thank God. But a dozen cases are waiting to take its place. Never a dull moment.”
“Must be hard,” I murmured. “Always seeing the bad things people do.”
He propped his chin in his hands. “It can be depressing, for sure. But I’m helping the community by getting bad people off the street where they can’t hurt anyone again.”
“I didn’t mean—”
He cut me off with a soft smile. “I know.” His gaze turned thoughtful and penetrating, making me shiver. “I also want you to know I didn’t mean to embarrass you Wednesday night.”
There it was. In spite of his words, my whole body burned with humiliation. His voice was barely above a murmur, yet I imagined the whole bar listened in on my foolishness.
“Y-you didn’t. I…I don’t even know what I was doing there,” I mumbled. “It was a stupid idea.”
Tony appeared with a credit card. “The last customer. I cleaned all the other tables already, so when you ring it up, we’re done.”
Saved by work.
“Thank you. Excuse me.”
I couldn’t rush away from Jaxon fast enough to process the payment. Tony returned with the signed receipt almost immediately, holding the stacked dishes in his other hand.
“I’ll take this to the kitchen and let them know we’re done for the night.”
“I appreciate it. And I meant what I said. I’m going to look for another server to help on the weekends.”
Tony hesitated. “Maybe you should think of someone to help you too. Like a bartender. It would free you up for a social life.” He cut his gaze to where Jaxon sat. “I mean, the guy is into you. I bet if you had some free time, he’d ask you out.”
I blinked. “You…are not serious. Jaxon Polaris?” Blushing furiously, I whispered. “He’s gorgeous and smart and—”
“And? You’re pretty damn good-looking yourself.” He winked. “I mean, Ashley and her friends think you’re a hottie.”
“Oh God,” I groaned. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“I’m serious. She keeps asking me why you don’t have a boyfriend. You’re one of the nicest people I know.” He patted the bar top. “Nice guys finish first plenty of times, you know?”
Ignoring him, I began to count the cash and entered the amount in the accounting software on the tablet—another thing I’d implemented when my father gave up the business.
A shadow fell over me, and I tensed, knowing it could only be Jaxon.
“I’m done. If you’d like, I could stay and help you close up.”
Too embarrassed to face him, I shook my head. “N-no. It’s okay, thank you. I couldn’t let you do that.”
He reached out and laid a hand on mine. The breath left my body, and I pressed my lips together to keep from sighing.
“I think we should talk.”
Panicking, I pulled away.
“What? Why? There’s nothing to say. It was a ridiculous thing to do, and I can assure you, it’ll never happen again. I-I have to go help Tony. The meal’s on the house. For all the great work you did helping Deputy Starr. Night.”
Like a coward, I ran off to the back and hid in the kitchen where I was safe. The cooks were pulling on their coats. As usual, they left the area spotless.
“Have a great night, everyone. Thanks.”
They waved and left. Tony rolled down his sleeves and slipped on his coat.
“Have a good night, Theo. Think about what I said. See you tomorrow.”
Tony got Mondays and Wednesdays off. Freddy Holloway was a college student who filled in on Mondays. He and his wife had a newborn baby, and he was studying to be an accountant. Hopefully he’d want extra shifts to make more money.
When I re-entered the bar, I found it empty. Relief—or was it disappointment?—settled in my chest. Exhaling deeply, I picked up Jaxon’s dish and returned to the kitchen to rinse it by hand, setting it aside so the guys would know to run it through the dishwasher tomorrow.
After I locked up the cash, closed the register, and turned out the lights, I hustled through the parking lot.
The wind had picked up and howled through the bare tree branches.
My jacket wasn’t as warm as could be, and I had no hat or scarf.
Winters up here could turn brutal in the snap of a finger, so I put my head down, hopping from one foot to the other at the corner, waiting for the light to turn red so I could cross.
On Saturday nights, Main Street was busy.
Everyone had somewhere to go and someone to go with.
Everyone but me.
I tramped up the steps to my house and took out my key.
“Please don’t run from me a second time, Theo.”
My shaky fingers dropped the keys on the rough brick floor of my porch as I stared at Jaxon in the faint moonlight.
“What…what do you want from me?” I whispered. “I don’t want to talk about what happened.”
“Then we won’t.” Again, he touched me, putting his hand on my arm. “Can we go inside? Please?”