Page 20 of Hooked on Marshall (Hooked #9)

When I walk out of the office, I feel better than I have in years. I finally got Lana to talk about what was bothering her and on top of that, she finally agreed to give us a chance. So truly, thank fuck for that.

I make my rounds with the cooks that are here to prep and the servers who are in to prep the front of the house. All of them seem to be in a good mood, too. So, I tell them what’s going on so there’s no questions about Lana’s absence off the floor.

“So, if we start to get too busy today, I need someone to let me know so I can call someone in.”

“Where’s Lana?” Shelly asks.

“Lana has taken on a different role for the Alehouse for the time being,” I smile. “Remember when I told you I wanted to rebrand?”

They all nod. So, I explain.

“Well, Lana has a degree in marketing, and she’s come up with a fantastic idea,” I tell them. “She had actually spoken to Mark about some new ideas the day before he passed. So, I’ve set her to task already so we can get things going as soon as possible.”

They seem delighted. But when they ask what the idea is, I tell them I’d rather wait until Lana has things finalized. They understand that and go back to getting ready for our day. By the time we open, I’m smiling like a loon. And I don’t give a damn.

An hour after opening, things are running smooth. So, I take a minute to check in with my girlfriend. And I smile at what I see. She has printer paper all over the table with a myriad of sketches on each one. God, I love this woman.

“Hey,” I say softly.

She doesn’t startle at my voice. So, I take that as a win.

“Hey,” she smiles. “I’m on a roll. But…I’m kind of hungry.

“Tell me what you want and it’s yours,” I grin.

“I want you,” she says in a husky voice.

“You have me,” I growl. “Whenever you want me.”

Her pupils dilate. But Jace calls out to me and breaks the moment.

When I turn back to her, she’s buried in her work again.

So, I ask what she wants to eat. She tells me and I go about taking care of her.

When I set the plate of food in front of her, she barely takes her eyes off her laptop before she starts eating.

That doesn’t sit well with me, so I pick up her plate and wait for her to look at me.

“What are you doing?”

“You need a break,” I tell her. “Come sit at the bar so I can enjoy looking at you while I work.”

She takes a breath to protest but when I start to walk away, she calls out for me to stop. When she’s beside me, I give her a sweet kiss and take her hand in mine as I lead her out to the bar. Once she’s settled, I pour her a pint of my favorite craft beer and set it in front of her.

“Am I allowed to drink on the job?” she asks with a smile.

“You’re allowed to drink on your break,” I tell her. “But only one. Until later.”

Her eyebrows fly up in surprise. But she quickly settles in to enjoy her meal. I keep my eyes on her while I tend the bar, my smile never leaving my face. But I’m startled when I hear a familiar voice say my name.

“Good to see you, Marshall.”

“Mr. Riggin,” I chuckle. “What are you doing in here on a Monday afternoon?”

“Sometimes an old man needs to feel young again,” he says as he settles next to Lana. “And I can do that at a bar that makes me feel at home.”

“Very well, sir,” I nod. “What can I get you?”

He orders a pint of beer and a couple slices of pizza.

I walk away to pour his drink as he leans over to kiss Lana on the cheek.

She’s almost done eating, but if she sits to chat with her grandfather a bit, so be it.

I have complete faith in her abilities so I’m not going to get pushy with her.

When I deliver her grandfather’s pizza, she’s just finishing her beer.

“Okay, grandpop,” she sighs. “I need to get back to work.”

“Go ahead, sweetheart,” he says. “I’ll see you later.”

She kisses his cheek and slides off her barstool. When she starts to walk into the back, I catch her by the waist and steal a brief kiss. She hums against my lips. Then giggles as she walks away. When I get back in front of her grandfather, I’m not surprised that he questions me.

“I take it things are well with you and Lana?”

“Yes, sir,” I smile. “She’s agreed to be my girlfriend.”

“Very good,” he says. “I like the effect you have on her. She’s happier today than I’ve seen her since she moved back home.”

Damn. That’s a hell of a compliment.

“Thank you.”

“Just make sure you keep it that way,” he says firmly.

“Yes, sir.”

I chat with him intermittently while he eats and I serve customers. When he leaves, I insist on paying for his meal myself. He tries to argue, but I don’t budge.

“You already have my approval, son,” he chuckles. “You don’t need to buy me.”

“I don’t intend to,” I laugh. “Chalk it up to my happiness about being with Lana.”

“Now that I can work with.”

“Enjoy the rest of your day, Mr. Riggin,” I say as I shake his hand.

“You as well,” he nods.

Then he’s gone. And I need a short break of my own. I leave Lana to her work when I first get into the office so I can use the restroom. But when I come back out, I lean on the back of her chair to see what she’s got going.

“Wow,” I tell her. “This is going to be great.”

“You really think so?” she asks.

“I know so,” I say as I wrap my arms around her shoulders. “You definitely have a knack for this kind of thing. I’m lucky to have you.”

“Reserve that thought for after we launch this,” she laughs. “Then we’ll see.”

“Doesn’t matter,” I whisper. “As long as I still have you.”

She giggles and turns her head. So, I kiss her.