Page 5 of Hooked on Marshall (Hooked #9)

When I go into work on Monday, Marshall isn’t there.

Thank God. After the last two days, I need a reprieve from him.

Not just his good looks and his apparent concern for me, but from his touch, too.

Being in his arms yesterday afternoon was far too comfortable.

And I can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.

Not that I could with Marshall because he’s not married. And he’s also not my boss. But I feel like he’s off-limits for some reason. As if being Mark’s brother means he’s not available, much like Mark’s wife Gina will be, too, while she continues to mourn his loss.

But after I clock in, set my purse in a locker, and tuck my phone behind the register, Jace calls us all together for a quick meeting. In less than a minute, we’re gathered at the bar. Waiting for what feels like the other shoe to drop.

And it does.

“Well, there’s no way to sugarcoat this, so I’m just going to shoot you all straight,” he sighs. “Gina’s selling the Alehouse.”

Most of us suck in a sharp breath first. Then the questions come flying.

What if the new owner fires us all? What if they make it into something else?

What if they tear the place down? As expected, Jace doesn’t have any answers.

And I make a mental note to get moving this week to find a job in my desired field.

Part of me wonders if I could just set up shop here in my hometown.

But I’d have to establish myself first with one or two businesses before I could make it my full-time job.

I had intended on doing that with the Alehouse, but with the future full of uncertainty, that might not be possible anymore.

After shaking off the shock, we all go about getting ready for the day.

The rest of the week passes easily enough.

I spend my time off applying for jobs in my field while also visiting the businesses in my hometown to offer my services.

By Friday of the following week, I’ve got nothing to show for my efforts.

On Saturday morning, the entire staff is asked to come into the Alehouse for a meeting before opening.

I’m not too keen about it because I’m working a double so another waitress can attend a wedding, but since it’s more than likely about the future of the business, I suppose I better be there.

To my surprise, Gina Jones is also in attendance. She’s smiling as she chats with Jace and greets everyone when they walk in. When everyone has arrived, she asks for everyone’s attention. The tension in the room is heavy. Even as Gina turns her beautiful smile to us, no one seems to relax.

“First of all, I want to apologize if my decision to sell has caused any of you undue anxiety,” she says softly.

“But I need you to know that I didn’t come to this decision lightly.

It’s just that…as much as I helped bring this place to life, it was Mark’s baby.

Not mine. And something about keeping my hand in it just didn’t seem right without him here. ”

She pauses, and sniffs. Fighting back tears. Several others do as well. Then she takes a deep breath and continues.

“That being said, I think I’ve made the best decision I can for the future of Brick Oven Alehouse,” she says brightly. “So, let me introduce you to the new owner.”

She turns her head just as Mark’s brother walks out from the kitchen.

The reaction is instant and overwhelmingly positive.

There are gasps of shock quickly followed by shouts of approval and a lot of applause.

I’m smiling without realizing it. And my hands seem to clap on their own.

But my heart is twisting in my chest as my traitorous body warms at the thought of working for one Marshall Jones.

I mentally slap myself at the thought and do my best to focus on what he’s about to say as he gestures for us to cease applause.

“Thank you,” he says, his voice choked with emotion. “I was hoping all of you would accept me taking over. Although I won’t be changing the concept Mark created here, I would like to rebrand. And I want everyone’s input as to how that will happen.”

From there, he goes on about how Mark had originally asked him to partner on this place.

But he respectfully declined because he wanted to try his hand opening his own alehouse in the city.

And while he was extremely successful with that, something about the feel of this place when he came home after Mark’s death made him question his decision.

“So, when Gina told me she wanted help selling the place, I knew what had to be done,” he says. “I sold my place in the city so I could buy Mark’s dream and make it…ours.”

There’s some more chatter before he explains that he wants to change the name from Brick Oven to something else that will memorialize Mark in a subtle way while also recognizing their familial connection.

As he continues to talk about that, my mind whirs and spins as I try to come up with a name that will lend itself to some minor changes inside as well.

I’m so lost in thought that I miss whatever he says that makes everyone cheer again. My head snaps up as I refocus and clap for…something. Then Marshall gives Gina a hug and she waves goodbye to all of us. When she’s gone, Marshall has one more request.

“So, before we open for business, I want to spend a few minutes with each of you,” he says.

“I know I know all of your names already, but now that I’m officially your new boss, I’d like to know a little more than what I may have gleaned through my conversations with you over the last few weeks, okay? ”

Everyone nods and he turns for the kitchen and probably Mark’s office.

Well, I suppose it's his office, now. Jace follows him along with a few of the younger staffers who only work a few days a week. Instead of lining up to talk with Marshall, I go about prepping for opening at the front of the house. With a few extra hands, it doesn’t take long.

Before I know it, Jace is calling my name.

“Yeah?”

“Go on back and chat with Marshall,” he says. “Everyone else has been in already.”

“Sure,” I nod.

I take in a deep breath and head for the office. When I step into the doorframe, I expect to see him seated behind the desk. But he’s not. Instead, he’s leaning back on the front of it. When his eyes meet mine, he gives me a smile that’s both warm and…I don’t know.

“Come on in, Lana,” he says. “Have a seat so we can get to know each other.”

My stomach flutters and my heart trips. But somehow, I move to one of the chairs in front of his desk. When I sit down, he shuts the door and takes the seat beside me. And I pray that this is quick.