Straight Up (Twisted Fox #3) - Charity Ferrell Page 0,2
few times. Last weekend, Sierra dragged me to his birthday party and introduced me to my new coworkers.
We briefly chat before he passes me a stack of forms to complete. Twenty minutes later, I return to the front of the bar in search of Georgia—my trainer for the night and Cohen’s younger sister.
I do a sweep of the bar and spot Georgia waving me over in a similar fashion as her brother did.
“Hey, girl!” she shouts.
I wade through the crowd, dodging a group of guys arguing over a sports call while women yell at them to grow up, and join Georgia and her friends at the pub table.
“Hey.” I pull out the stool and plop down next to her before exchanging hellos with her friends—Lola, Grace, and Silas—all people I met at the party.
While they make conversation around us, Georgia guides me through the employee handbook and training packet. I’ve never waitressed before, but the job seems simple enough. I’m a people person. I got this.
Georgia claps when we’re finished. “You ready?”
“I think so.” I twist my watch and do another scan of the room.
That’s when my gaze lands on the man behind the bar, and all background commotion fades. A black shirt, sleeves rolled up and cuffed at the elbows, reveals his muscular frame. Biting into my lip, I drink him in as if he were the cocktail he’s pouring into a glass, a bachelorette party cheering him on in the process. He’s older—my guess, five to six years on me. Thick raven-black hair is trimmed short on the edge and longer on top. I play with my fingers, wishing I could run them over the scruffy stubble stretching along his cheeks and strong chin.
The woman’s eyes light up with as much desire as mine as he slides the glass to her.
It’s him.
The type of man I shouldn’t want.
The type of man who is nothing but heartache and criminal records.
Dear heavenly father, please forgive me. I want to sin with this man.
“Who is he?” I point at my future boy toy. “I want him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
The table falls silent while all focus moves in the direction of the guy I’m nearly drooling after. The mood has shifted, and everyone’s eyes avoid me.
“You might be eating those meals through a straw if you keep staring at Archer like that in front of Georgia,” Silas says.
“Archer?” I shake my head and look away from my new man crush.
No wonder everyone is shooting me death glares. They think I’m referring to Georgia’s boyfriend.
“Not him,” I clarify before I’m fired or stabbed. “We met at the barbecue. I’m talking about the guy next to him.” Mentally, I slap my forehead and inhale a sharp breath.
Dear heavenly father, it’s me again. Please do not let that guy be one of the other girl’s boyfriends.
That’d be just my luck.
“Lincoln?” Silas asks, cocking his head to the side while staring at me. “Archer’s brother?”
My muscles relax, as a drink hasn’t been thrown in my face. “If that’s the man next to him, then yes. Is he single? Can I have him? What’s his favorite breakfast, so I can make it for him on our morning after?”
Everyone laughs while I do the same.
“Be careful, newbie.” Silas scratches his cheek. “We have a strict no relationship between employees rule around here. Too much drama.”
I glance at Georgia, raising a brow. “Aren’t you and Archer dating? They both work here.”
“They’re the exception,” Lola states matter-of-factly.
I smile, perking up. “Maybe I can be the exception too.”
Although I have no pull around here. Georgia has the advantage of dating the co-owner. Pretty sure they make the rules but don’t have to follow them. Maybe I can have the benefit of nepotism on my side, and Archer will allow his brother and me to fraternize.
Instead of replying, Georgia checks her watch and stands. “All right. Time to get this training party started.”
Georgia reminds me of myself. She’s quirky and a ball of energy, and everyone loves her.
I slide off my stool and am on her heels as she gives me a tour of the bar and introduces me to the employees I haven’t met.
Oh shit.
Here we go.
My heart freezes and then pounds when we stop at the bar. The new closeness provides me with a better look at Lincoln, a better look at every physical feature I find attractive.