3. The Speakeasy
CHAPTER THREE
THE SPEAKEASY
Ruby
The Speakeasy isn’t just a lounge. It’s a full-scale bar that would rival most of the places I worked at back in the Big Apple.
And since it was the original library when the manor was built, the back room is barely a closet.
There might be an emergency exit where contractors arrive and deliveries are made, but there’s no backstage for entertainers, so Blake and I slip out the main door toward the back offices.
Blake turns to me when we get to the conference room. “That was the most fun I’ve had since my first day in The Greenhouse! You were amazing. Everyone loved you, just like I told you they would.”
Blake’s cheeks are pink with excitement, and my heart is racing from the last two songs of the set.
I drag my hands through my hair and hold it high on my head since I’m sweating.
“I’m not used to that kind of audience. Everyone in the city is used to live entertainment.
If I get a few polite claps at the end of a set, I consider it a successful night.
I don’t remember the last time I got a standing O. ”
“And a well-deserved standing O, at that.” I drop my hands and turn to the voice behind me. Devon and Harlow enter the conference room along with the couple they were sitting with. “Live entertainment is a rarity in Winslet.”
Harlow throws her arms around me. “You were amazing. I don’t care what Devon says—you’re hired.”
Devon smirks at his wife. “Just for your information, I planned to make her an offer. You stole my thunder.”
Harlow waves him off and turns to the tall man and petite dark-haired beauty. “Ruby, this is my brother, Jett, and his wife Lennon. Lennon is the hotel manager of the manor. They’re new to Winslet and are building a home outside of town.”
I shake Lennon’s hand before Jett’s. “So nice to meet you. Thank you for coming tonight.”
“Are you kidding?” Lennon’s dark eyes widen with excitement. “It’s a long story, but I have never been to a piano bar. Winslet is full of firsts for me. You were fabulous.”
Jett isn’t as enthusiastic as his wife, but I can tell his praise is genuine. “You killed it—the newest star in town.”
Lennon laughs. “He’s just happy there’s someone new for everyone to focus on.”
I shake my head. “Oh, I’m hardly new. Everyone knows me.”
“But you’re back, so you’re sort of new.” Blake gives me a light punch in the shoulder. “And I told you the manor is a family thing. Now you’re working here with me. Grandma interviewed, but Mr. Donnelly didn’t hire her.”
Devon drags a hand down his face. “I’ll never hear the end of that. I’ll find a position for your grandma, okay?”
Blake stuffs his hands in his pockets. “I’m just kidding. She didn’t even want to come tonight because her bedtime is right after the weather on the late news.”
Devon turns to me. “What do you say about performing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights? I’m sure you’ll need some days off to recover from a performance like that. But I’m flexible if you’d rather do other days—”
I stop him right there. “I’ll take it. Thank you.”
Devon hikes a brow. “You don’t even know what the pay is yet.”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. Thank you so much.”
He lifts his chin and turns to Blake. “Do you want to split your time between the dining room and The Speakeasy?”
A wolfish grin takes over Blake’s face. “Sounds good. Look at me, expanding my resume like a boss.”
Devon turns to me. “Can you be here tomorrow morning at ten? I’ll have your offer ready and paperwork for you to sign. You were a hit. It’s another reason to draw the locals into the bar too. I’m excited to get you going right away.”
I’ve been back for three days, and I have two jobs. I dipped into a good chunk of my savings to get across the country by bus, which says everything about the state of my savings.
I’m probably too enthusiastic, but I don’t care. “I’ll be here whenever you want me. That’s after the breakfast rush at the Combover. I’m sure Grandma can fill in for me for a short time.”
Devon sighs. “Bloody terrific. Carl is giving Grandma a job before me. I’ve got to see what I can do about that.”
Blake’s expression lightens further. “I can’t wait to tell her.”
I grab my bag off the table where I left it before the show. “We won’t keep you any longer. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Thank you again.”
Everyone exchanges goodbyes for the night, and Blake and I are out the front door and headed for his truck as he continues to fawn over our first experience in The Speakeasy.
“That was so cool. It really brought me back to my show choir days. Man, what a high. It was even cooler to experience it with you. I’m happy you’re back, sis. ”
I offer him a small smile, even though he only knows the condensed version of why I’m home.
If he knew what was at stake, I’m not sure what he’d do.
“I was afraid to come back. I’m not proud of that, but I was.
I feel like a failure. Like I couldn’t make it in the big city, so I had to tuck my tail between my legs and move back in with my grandma. ”
Blake frowns, which I’m learning is rare for him. “Hey, I still live with Grandma.”
“But you’re thriving. And I know you. If I had to guess, you’re still living with Grandma because you don’t want her to be by herself.”
He beeps the locks on the truck. Once we’re both in, he starts the engine, but he avoids me like I used to avoid my landlord when I was late on rent.
“Blake,” I call for him again. “Fess up.”
He backs out of his spot and shrugs. “She’d be lonely. And she may be in good shape, but she doesn’t need to be on a ladder or mowing the yard. I don’t mind.”
I lean my head back and close my eyes, finally allowing myself to relax for the first time since I rolled into town. “You’re pure gold, Blake. Pure gold.”
“I know.”
I roll my head to look at him and smile. “Thank you for tonight. You’re so talented. Grandma did good with you. She didn’t get me soon enough to make me practice. Plus, singing comes naturally for me since I like to run my mouth and all.”
He barks a laugh. “Let’s remember you’re the one who said that, not me.”
“Like you’re not a talker too. But you’re different. Everyone likes you. They either love me or hate me. There’s no middle ground.”
He turns down the street to Grandma’s house. “I love you. And anyone who doesn’t is an idiot.”
“I need you to tell everyone that when they find out I’m back. I expect the love and the hate to be strong.” I lean my head back again until he comes to a stop in the driveway that’s permanently marked by the oil drip from his truck.
Blake kills the engine. “I know exactly who you’re talking about, but don’t worry. It’s been too long. No one can hold a grudge for over a decade. Let’s get inside.”
He doesn’t wait for me to say another word. He exits the truck and jogs to the front door. I grab my bag and heels I kicked off on the drive home.
Blake is the kindest human I know. Of course he doesn’t think anyone will hold a grudge.
I know better.
And Winslet is a small place. It’s only a matter of time until I find out just how deeply some grudges are planted.