Chapter 2
Jensen
Therapy Dupe
Jensen
Alright, the first person to bring me an energy drink and protein bar to Winedown gets their first drink on the house.
Lucie
Have you eaten any actual food today? Sips of water at least?
Jensen
Okay, Mother, I didn’t ask for a lecture.
Reagan
Sorry, I’ve been running around Boston all day looking for a new storefront for the floral shop. I’m beat and need to go scream into my pillow for a bit.
Callie
Boo, for no rental property under a million dollars.
Jen, what if Emma and I bring one of each? Will that qualify us both for the free drink?
Emma
Goodness knows I’m going to need one if Tripp ropes me into being his wingwoman again.
Lucie
Dex and I are doing a movie night in with Miles tonight, but I’ll still bring you actual food, Jen.
Jensen
If it’s not highly caffeinated and something I can shove down in two minutes then it’s a no.
Callie
I got you. Beck won rock-paper-scissors, we’re coming to Winedown.
Lucie
I’ll come over in the morning with breakfast and an IV.
Jensen
Wait Callie… What?
Thirty minutes into my shift, a pink Red Bull and about three different granola bars hit the bar top in front of me. The kicker—the wrong redhead brought them.
“Dinner’s on, Jenni-cakes,” Beck beams. I never considered red curly hair and the freckles on his face that meet his slight facial hair to be my type, but Beck has made it my type.
My stomach turns in knots when I meet his bright green eyes. It really wouldn’t hurt for this man to be a little less attractive. What’s a girl got to do around here for him to lose some teeth with a fly ball?
I mask my attraction with a snarky look. “I didn’t ask you to bring me those—you don’t get the free drink.”
Beck raises an eyebrow as he slides onto the barstool. “Didn’t realize that was the prize for bringing you treats. I was more thinking of the company.”
Callie takes the last empty seat next to Beck, and Emma stands behind her as each of them drop another Red Bull and a jerky stick.
Callie clocks Beck’s stuff and hits his arm. “Hey, I didn’t know we had competition.”
“Yeah, he can afford his own drinks, he doesn’t count,” Emma adds.
I look at Beck, his smile bright, like fucking usual. “I don’t have to count, but I would like to.”
I slide the granola bars back to him, not having the complete strength to let go of the Red Bull. “He doesn’t count,” I parrot Emma’s words. Nothing Beck does counts because no matter how hot he is, I don’t want to date him—kind of, more like, I won’t allow myself to date him.
Beck slides the snacks back toward me. “See, I went by Dex’s place on my way here.
When I noticed Lucie had started a breakfast casserole, I had some questions.
So, you’re going to take both drinks and eat at least two of these, or I call her and she’ll bring a whole-ass casserole to the bar. Your choice.”
Callie folds her lips into a thin smile while Emma snickers.
Of course, Lucie’s the mole. I love her immensely, but she’s been Team Beck since the start. I snatch them off the bar top as a man a few seats down calls for me. “I’ll take them, but when I get back I’m only serving Callie and Emma. You and the rest of the guys can order from Mia for the night.”
Beck stands up with a wink. “Eat, and we have a deal.”
Emma slides into the now empty seat. “Eat, and we have a deal,” she mocks. “Whatcha gonna do, Jen? If you don’t eat them, you won’t have to see Mia flirt with him all night.”
I hate how right she is. I don’t like watching anyone flirt with Beck, let alone Mia, who’s wicked smart and the soon-to-be owner of this freaking bar.
Granted, I don’t hate his dismissals of her.
It’s petty, but true. He never flirts back, never has second glances.
He gives polite responses and tips, but nothing more.
The man a few seats down snaps at me again. I groan, what I wouldn’t give to quit this job. I’m damn near counting down the days. One more shift with my apprenticeship. Eight measly hours until my sleazy bosses can sign off for me to get my tattoo license, and then I’m out of there.
I may not be able to jump ship here just as quickly if I want to afford my rent for the shitty apartment I have, but hopefully I can cut back on some hours until I get my clientele up past the piercings I do.
I shove the bars and jerky into my apron and set the drinks on the back bar before going back to my friends.
“Listen, if you want those free drinks, then no more Beck talk. I’ll be right back.”
While thinking of the potential tip, I force a smile to my face. “How can I help you?”
Despite his impatience, the man takes his time looking me over before speaking. “Sorry if I interrupted you and your little boyfriend, but some of us have been at the office all day and would love a Manhattan.”
Swallowing every snarky remark I can think of, I take my time looking back at this asshat. He looks so familiar…I’m positive I’ve watched him slide his ring into his pocket before. I clock his hand and see the ring.
Alright, customer service voice, let’s push through. “One Manhattan coming up. Do you want to start a tab?”
The man sets his card on the table as his answer and barely spares me another glance. I guess with his first look over, he found I’m not his type. Poor me.
After starting his tab, I grab a short glass and some rye whiskey to start throwing his drink together.
“Ooo, the Blues men are here tonight,” Mia all but purrs as she comes up behind me. “Makes this double I’m working completely worth it.”
I roll my shoulders back and exhale. “Yeah, they’re ready to order when you are. I’ve got the girls in the middle of the bar.”
“Got it. Beck’s still single, right?” she asks.
I grit my teeth as I drop the toothpick of maraschino cherries in the glass. “Yep.”
“Perfect.” Mia tugs at her auburn hair in her already high ponytail. “Wish me luck.”
I very much don’t do that. In fact, I bite the inside of my cheek to the point that I’m sure I’ve drawn blood. I like Mia, I truly do, but I don’t want her flirting with Beck. I don’t want him to realize how cool she actually is, then agree to go on a date with her…
This is ridiculous, how did I get here?
Just a few months ago, Beck was annoying and had that overly cocky persona that I loathe…but somewhere along the way, the asshole pulled some voodoo magic because I actually look forward to spending time with him now.
Setting the Manhattan in front of the tool in a suit, I finally let go of my cheek when I realize this man’s ring is now mysteriously gone. And shocker, he’s talking to the woman who has, unfortunately, sat down next to him.
My blood starts to boil. You know what? I’m not going to get a decent tip from this dipwad anyway.
“Here we are.” I slide the drink to him then turn to the woman. “What can I get you?”
She flashes a small smile to me then the secret pig next to her. “I think I’ll have a dirty martini, two olives.”
I wait for it.
“On my tab,” he adds.
I fake a smile. “Perfect.” Without question, I ring up her drink on his tab, per his request. When I slide the drink back, I hold my smile.
“And here you go. While you are sipping on this, ask him about the ring he has in his pocket,” I say, not waiting for any response and heading back over to Callie and Emma.
“Okay, give me your orders before I change my mind on those free drinks.”
“I’ll take a glass of merlot, please,” Callie says.
“How uncool is it of me to order a Shirley Temple?” Emma asks with a scrunch on her nose. “I was thinking I could finish this painting tonight, and I’m on my fine line details that will require Sober Ems.”
I snort a laugh. “Not uncool, but I thought you said you needed the drink to be wingwoman of the year?”
Emma’s eyes nearly roll out of her head. “I’m off duty tonight. Thank god.”
Callie rests her head on her shoulder. “I, however, am on duty for our Ems because she needs to move on from our playboy of the century.”
I slide Callie’s glass of wine in front of her then reach for a new glass to start Emma’s. “You sure you don’t need a shot of courage for that?”
Emma lifts her shoulder to shake off Callie. “No, I don’t, because she’s just been fired. And I’ve moved on from Tripp, thank you very much.”
When Callie and I give each other looks that say yeah, right, Emma whines. “It’s true! I have.”
Callie pats her shoulder. “Of course you have.”
I slide the drink across the bar top and match Callie’s sarcastic tone. “We so believe you.”
Emma tosses her hands up. “There’s truly nothing to move on from, we’ve only ever been friends.”
Callie waves her off. “Been there, done that. It’s better to get the orgasms out of it.”
I give Callie a wink because, gah, I love how happy her and Will are.
What I don’t understand is Tripp and Emma.
“Okay, I really need more details, because you keep saying you guys became friends in college, but that doesn’t make sense to me.
How are you two ‘college’ friends…isn’t Tripp older than us? Did he even go to college?”
Emma all but shrinks in her chair. “It’s a long story.”
More people filter in around the bar, and I let out a sigh. “Give me the highlights as I pass by.” Taking two steps over, I take some drink orders before popping the tabs on two Modelos, then bring a bottle of champagne in front of Callie and Emma to uncork.
“Go.”
“I really don’t—” Emma starts, but between my evil eye and Callie’s shove, she groans. “Okay, highlights. We met my sophomore year of college and we just were quick friends. I don’t know how to explain it…we sort of hit it off.”
I raise an eyebrow. “If you guys ‘hit it off,’ you’d be dating. Leaving out some context, Ems. But hold it.” I put the bottle into a bucket of ice and grab two empty flute glasses. I pass that off then I’m back in front of my girls. “Shoot.”
Emma’s cheeks turn bright red before she even speaks. “I was dating his brother, okay.”
“What?!” I did not see that being a part of this equation.