6. Johnny
JOHNNY
Ididn’t know pouring a beer could rattle a man so much.
But hell…I’m glad it did. He’s poured his third beer on his own now and is finally getting the hang of it.
But him getting so flustered over that? Seeing the slight waver in his fingers, feeling the heat rolling off his body toward mine, has my heart beating in my ears louder than the Madonna song playing on the jukebox.
Maybe I was right about what he asked me last night.
Shit. I take a step back. Nope. Can’t go there.
I don’t know anything about this man. And now I’m working for him.
I need my attention to be on the bar that’s about to open.
I need my focus to be on making sure we’re set up for the day.
But dammit…there’s something about him, something about this bar, that could really be special.
Warmth stirs inside me and for some reason, I want to help him.
My gaze trails down the man in question.
Well…maybe the reason is his eyes, his biceps, and the way those jeans fit tight on his ass.
Dammit. Focus on the beer, Johnny.
“Okay, I think you’ve got the hang of it now. Congratulations! You can now pour a beer in your own bar.”
I notice the slightest bit of pink flush across his face. Seems like the man likes a compliment. And shit, if that doesn’t make me want to see what else might make him blush.
DING!
“Alright,” he says as he tips his head toward the couple walking in. “Let’s have a good shift.”
“You got it, boss.”
It’s well into the evening, and we’ve got a good crowd here tonight. Service is running smoothly with Walt bouncing between the tables like he was born to do so when the bell rings once more.
I glance up, throwing my rag over my shoulder. “Bethany! What are you doing back here?” I ask as she waltzes in with an entire group of ladies.
“Johnny, these are my best friends, and they decided to take me out after everything that happened. They wanted to go to some fancy new dance place that just opened, but I insisted we come here.”
I smile, knowing we’ve got at least one repeat customer. “We’re glad to have you back. And I’m happy to see you’ve got some backup. Ya’ll slash his tires yet?”
The entire group cackles. “See, ladies!” she yells, “I told you Johnny was the best!”
I shake my head. “What can I get ya’ll to drink? Give me your orders, then have a seat at that big table over in the corner no one’s claimed yet. We’ll bring everything on over.”
I start filling glasses and shakers with ice as a warm presence moves up behind me. We’re in the middle of a big rush, but I want nothing more than to stand here and soak in how close he is for the rest of the night.
“You doing okay down here?” The deep gravel in his voice hits low in my belly, doing nothing to smother the urge to stop everything I’m doing, turn around, and pull this man into the back of the bar so I can pin him to the wall properly.
But we’re in public. In a bar that is nice but not made for that purpose, and I don’t even know if he feels the same way.
Keep your damn mind on the drinks, Johnny.
“Yep. Keeping my head above water over here, so that’s always a good sign on a Friday night. You doin’ okay with the tables?”
“Yeah, I just…I never thought we’d be this busy.”
“You’ve got something special here, boss. Look at Bethany over there.” I lift my chin toward her table. “She’s back with a whole group of gals. You’ve already got regulars.”
“Regulars?” he says, his voice softer, thoughtful. “I like the sound of that.”
I can’t help but flash him a smile over my shoulder. “Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
“To be fair, I think she came back because of you, not because of me. Maybe you were the something special I needed for this bar to work.” He throws over his shoulder as he walks away.
I freeze. My arm hovers over the ice bin with a full scoop in my hand. Did he say I was special, then saunter away like it was nothing? Like he didn’t just tell me I was the one thing he needed. Like he somehow knew I’ve never felt special to anyone in this world.
I shake my head and dump the ice in the glass.
As much as I want it to, that can’t be what he meant.
It’s my amazing skills as a bartender— that’s what’s special.
I’ve flown under the radar for most of my life, but I know how to make a good drink.
And I know how to somehow stand out just enough but still blend in with a crowd.
There is no way what he said meant anything more. Because if it did…me and my damn heart are in a whole world of trouble.