Page 49 of Never Stop

“Fine,” she huffed, turning to me. “Can’t I stay here with you?”

I frowned. “Sorry, Chey. I’m going out tonight.”

Getting ready to go to Halo felt as if I was going to stalk the hot bartender at my favorite bar. That was true in a sense because he was the hot bartender at my favorite bar. I was no longer jealous of the women trying to get his attention, but it still felt good to rub it in their face when he gave me his undivided attention.

With a little pep in my step, I sang at the top of my lungs as I showered and got ready. I styled my hair in loose curls, did my makeup perfectly, and dressed in a sequined blue tank top that I paired with a black skirt. I usually didn’t wear skirts, but tonight I wanted to make Easton crave me more. I felt like flirting. I wasn’t going to bet the customers, but I was certain I could think of something else to do.

Maybe I wouldn’t bet for money.

When I arrived at Halo, Gary was manning the door to check IDs, and I didn’t know for sure, but I was certain he worked only the busy nights. Tonight was no different.

“Hey, G.” I smiled.

“Brooke.” His eyes lit up when he saw me. “How are you feeling?”

Fucking question!“Better, thank you.”

“Good. Well, let me know if I need to throw any broads out tonight.” He smirked.

I chuckled and walked into the packed bar, shaking my head. My eyes instantly scanned the bar area until they landed on my man. He was laughing at something a customer said, and as I walked closer, Easton’s gaze landed on me, and we both smiled.

The chick at the bar turned to see what or who he was smiling at, and when her eyes landed on me, I smiled back. I weaved in and out of people, and when I finally made it to the bar and nudged my way in, Easton came over to me.

“What will it be, beautiful?”

“Vodka cranberry,” I responded over the loud music.

Easton turned to grab the bottle of vodka and the chick next to me asked, “Do you know him?”

What fun is telling the truth?I smiled as I looked at Easton and replied, “Nope.”

Easton’s eyes met mine, and my grin widened. He shook his head, but I wasn’t going to bet them money. I was only going to mess with them. My drink was placed in front of me, and before he could walk away, I reached my hand out with my credit card.

“Keep it open,” I yelled over the music.

He looked at the card and then back up to me.

“I’d like to start a tab,” I clarified.

Easton reached out and took my card as he tilted his head a little to the side. Then he turned and placed it in the cup by the register where they kept all the cards of people running tabs.

I turned around, watching the people dance, and a thought struck me. I needed a job. My disability insurance was ending soon, and since I wasn’t going back to the law firm, I needed to find something. It was almost as if I was on a really long vacation except I wasn’t on a beach sipping mai tais with Easton. Fuck, I really needed to start working now that I’d gotten the all clear. I was still tired, but I didn’t need a nap every day. I was starting to feel like myself again.

The bitter-sweet cranberry and vodka started to warm my belly, and before I knew it, my glass was empty. Turning around, I caught Easton’s eye and held up my glass. He poured me another and then slid it in front of me.

“Are you hiring?” I asked.

He scrunched his eyebrows. “We can always use more waitresses,” he answered. “Why?”

“Can I have an application?”

“Ba—”

“I need a job,” I cut him off before he could object.

He stared at me for a beat, and I grinned. “All right. Remind me before you leave, and I’ll give you one.”

“Thank you.”