Excerpt:
Dawn nudged the bartender. “Kiara, say hi to Charlie. She’s gonna step in for Carla.”
Kiara flashed a bright smile. “Howdy, Charlie. Is it Charlene?”
“Charlotte.” She popped a tot into her mouth. Just as crispy as she remembered. “I’d shake your hand, but—” She waved her greasy fingers. “You all alone back there?”
The bartender rolled her eyes. “River’s late. Again. If he weren’t so charming, Dawn woulda canned his ass long ago.”
“Oho, charming, am I?” A deep baritone voice at her elbow spun Charlie around, but the guy had already slid behind the bar. Tall. Blond. Broad shoulders beneath a crisp black shirt. Lean but muscular, more like a dancer than a football player. His hair flopped into his eyes as he bent to scrub his hands. His short golden beard framed plush lips. Mismatched earrings: a small oval onyx on the left, a silver anchor on the right. Thick brown lashes.
Blue eyes, I’ll bet. Breath held, Charlie waited.
Greenish hazel with flecks of amber. His gaze flicked up and held hers for a moment that seemed to stretch on and on. Then those bright eyes scanned her from top to bottom. One eyebrow flicked up as his lips spread in a devilish smile. “Hello, new girl.”
Happy little fireflies danced in her stomach. Words stuck in her throat.
“Not so new.” Dawn smacked a stack of papers onto the bar.
Totally focused on pretty boy’s dazzling smile, Charlie hadn’t seen her old/new boss approach. She took the pen Dawn proffered, cleared her throat, and began scribbling her contact information.
“Charlie used to work here, about—what was it, hon’?”
“I, uh—started in ‘09, I think. And I left in ‘14.”
In an instant, River’s expression shuttered—brows lowered, eyes narrowed, lips clamped in a tight, straight line. He picked up a bar towel, flung it over his shoulder, and silently turned to the beer taps.
Dawn scowled and elbowed him. “Don’t be rude, River. Say hello to Charlie. She’s taking over for Carla.”
“Hello, Charlie.” His voice dripped icicles.
Kiara hip-bumped him. “Be nice, River. Who pissed in your Cheerios?”
Without further comment, he moved to the far end of the bar where a gaggle of college-age girls awaited refreshment. When River greeted them, they erupted in giggles. His high wattage smile reappeared as he muddled mint and cucumber in tall glasses, his forearm muscles flexing beneath tight sleeves.
Kiara leaned on the bar and sighed. “Real lady killer, that one. Earns more in tips than the rest of us combined.”
“I feel sorry for his girlfriend.” Charlie tilted her head toward the too-pretty jerk.
“Oh, he doesn’t—”
“Enough gossip.” Dawn shooed Kiara away, then leaned closer. “Sorry, kiddo. River’s usually such a charmer. I’ll have a word with him.”
“No worries, boss. I don’t need to join his fan club to work here.” She tilted her chin toward the end of the bar where River whipped out drinks with impressive speed and flair. “And I’ll give him a run for his money on those tips.”
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