Page 26 of Falling for the Bad Boy

I checked my watch. “I’m right on time. Shift starts at nine.”

“Yeah, well I had two people call in sick. Sent you a text to see if you could come in at eight.”

“Sorry.” I passed the bar on my way back to the office. “Didn’t see it.”

Wyatt followed, his footsteps landing heavy on the wooden floor. “Where were you tonight?”

Wasn’t any business of his. I took my time tucking my keys into a locker. “I went out for dinner.”

“On a date?”

“Why do you ask?” Since when did my boss get so curious about my personal life?

“You’ve got some lipstick or something on your mouth.” Wyatt wiped at the edge of his own mouth.

“Oh, thanks.” I ran my hand over my lips. A trace of Trinity’s pink lip gloss came off on my finger. I smiled as I remembered the feel of her mouth on mine, the heat of her body pressed up against me.

“Who is she, Loverboy?” Wyatt’s grimace turned to a teasing smile. “One of the regulars?”

“No, it’s um…” What did it matter if Wyatt knew I was dating the new landlord? We weren’t even really dating. More like seeing each other from time to time and sharing a mind-blowing kiss. Something I hoped to do more of in the very near future.

“Someone I know?”

“Trinity. From next door.” I gestured toward the space next door.

“No shit?” Wyatt’s eyebrows rose.

“Yeah, it was a last-minute kind of thing.” I felt the urge to minimize our dinner date. I also didn’t mention the fact that I’d asked her out again. It wasn’t any of Wyatt’s business, and it’s not like it had any bearing on my job.

Wyatt rubbed a hand over the scruff on his chin. “Interesting.”

“I’m going to head out front. Anything I need to get caught up on?” I asked.

“Nah. It’s been busy with kids wanting to blow off some steam before finals. We’re down a server tonight, so just try to keep up the best you can.”

“Got it.” I nodded then left my boss behind as I made my way out to the bar.

The night passed in a blur of pulling jugs of beer from the tap and dodging advances from tipsy patrons. By the time last call rolled around, I was more than ready to turn in for the night.

“Hey, got a sec?” Wyatt asked. He’d been hiding out in his office most of the evening. Not only were we short-staffed, but the fact he didn’t come out to help had rubbed me the wrong way.

“What’s up?” Eager to clock out and get upstairs, I wasn’t exactly in the mood for a heart-to-heart.

“I’ve been thinking.” Wyatt gestured to the chair opposite his desk.

I slid into it, glad to be off my feet for a moment. “I hope you didn’t hurt yourself, boss.”

Wyatt let out a gruff laugh. “About the chick next door?—”

“Trinity.”

“Yeah, Trinity. You like her?” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

Where was this line of questioning headed? “I suppose. Why?”

“You going to see her again?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Why the sudden interest?”