“There’s no way we’re out. Richie orders that stuff by the case.”
It took me a few minutes to find a rogue box of tequila hiding in the back corner of the storage room under a dusty box of Mike’s Hard Lemonade.
When I returned, the bar was packed. I held up the bottle in triumph and smiled.
“Why do I always miss stuff?” Shelly asked with a sigh.
I grinned at her. “You have no attention to detail.”
“I’d spray you with the water hose…except it’s totally true.” She laughed. “I’m good at other things.”
“Such as?”
She gave me a look like she was thinking something dirty.
“You’re such a dude.”
The next couple hours flew by as Shelly and I manned the bar, serving customers and vetoing horrid music selections on the jukebox. The tip jar by the register filled up, and it looked like it would be a good night.
When there was a brief lull, Shelly said, “I need to use the bathroom.”
I nodded as I reached for a rag, cleaning up a puddle of beer that had spilled across the bar. It was still sticky, so I crouched down to find the spray bottle of surface cleaner. When I stood up, I froze.
“How you doin’, sweetheart?”
It took all of my willpower not to flinch. Dev commandeered a stool as his eyes roved over me in appreciation.
“Hi,” I greeted in hesitation. “Can I get you a drink?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want a drink. Have you seen your boss?”
“Richie? No. He hasn’t been at the bar for a few days.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“You’re not lying to me, are you?” Dev’s voice was low and dangerous. “I don’t like people who lie to me.”
I adamantly shook my head. “I swear I haven’t seen him.”
His eyes bored into mine. “Give me your phone.”
Like an obedient child I reached into the back pocket of my jeans and retrieved my cell. I placed it into Dev’s outstretched hand.
He quickly typed something and then handed it back. “There. Now you have my number. And I have yours.” He winked. “If you see Richie, you call me. Immediately.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling faint.
He nodded, rising from his stool. “I’ll be back, but there’s one more thing.” He beckoned me with his finger to come closer. “I don’t want anyone to hear…”
Before I realized what he was doing he leaned over and planted his lips on mine. He tasted like stale cigarettes and bourbon. It took everything inside me to keep the bile in my stomach from rising. I was angry with myself for not seeing it coming.
“You’re a hot little piece.” His eyes dragged over me, like he couldn’t wait to see what I looked like naked. “Bet you’re fire in the bedroom. It’s gonna be fun finding out.”
He chucked me under the chin and then sauntered out of the bar. I saw the emblem on the back of his leather cut withIron Horsemenin bold script.
Shelly came back from the bathroom. “What did I miss?”