Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I mean, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea, but I had to think outside the box, consider all my options to be with him. Thankfully, he squashed that idea in favor of moving here.”
I try to tame my astonishment. “You were going to walk away from Jack of All Trades?”
“I hadn’t been happy there for a long time. Obviously,” he emphasizes, referring to his decision to hand over the keys to Frank. “Was only hanging on for Mom and Dad.”
“I suppose the difference is I love owning this bar in this town. I stayed with Micah in LA early on, trying to think of a way I could move my life there and have what I do here. Something meaningful that makes me feel fulfilled outside of my love for him.”
“And?” Jack asks.
“No way I could recreate the same in LA.”
June frowns. “True. Your rent alone would be exorbitant.”
“Exactly. Even with Uncle Chuck’s or Aaron’s real estate expertise, I couldn’t swing it. You think I haven’t thought of a hundred different scenarios to be with him without one of us being miserable?”
Jack looks away. “Sorry, dude.”
“It’s fine. In the meantime, Micah’s grandfather passed away, so please be civil and gracious.”
“Of course,” June says. “I love Micah, just want to kick his ass sometimes.”
“Yours too,” Jack adds.
“Mutual,” I lob back just as the door swings open and the sexy devil himself steps inside. With his new best friend, apparently. He and Aaron are chattering away like old friends.
“Hey, babe.” Aaron lands a sloppy kiss on Jack’s mouth.
“Get a room,” I tease as they continue their nauseating PDA.
Jack flips me the bird as my gaze travels to June and Micah’s warm greeting. She’s right. My family has always loved him and treated him as one of our own.
“How’s it going at the house?” I ask to distract myself from that cozy thought.
“There’s a lot to be done, but I’m excited,” Aaron replies, plopping down in a seat next to my brother while Micah finds one on the other side of June.
“And I’m gonna help wherever I can,” Micah adds. “The sooner we get it done, the better.”
“Better for whom?” Jack asks pointedly, and an awkward silence descends.
Just as Micah opens his mouth to respond, a group of rowdy men from Parks and Recreation enter the bar. I immediately recognize Isabel’s new friend, Gordon, and he gives us a toothy wave. He and Aaron’s mom started dating shortly after she moved here with her son. She seems to love it as much as Aaron does.
“What’s the occasion?” Aaron shouts to him.
“Boss’s birthday, the big six-oh.”
I give them the thumbs-up, and before I know it, the bar is busier than usual, either because people are nosy about Micah or because it’s a pleasantly cooler spring day. I’m having trouble keeping up with orders, and I curse that today, of all days, Seth called off. Likely to go camping in the mountains as he’s known to do. But if he wants a shot at a solo shift, he better not make it a habit. Ross, though, the other bartender I finally hired from over in Sunrise Bay, has been pretty reliable.
Just as I feel guilty for thinking ill of Seth, Micah is there behind the bar.
“What the hell are you doing?” I mutter as I pour another draft.
“Helping. I know how bars and restaurants work and what’s required of staff. What the hell do you think I’ve been doing between auditions?”
I feel a pang of frustration as well as sadness. He has a whole other existence I know nothing about. Not that I’m unaware he works in the service industry, only that I haven’t had a good snapshot of his life in a long time.
I want to beg off, but I could sure use the help. “I know you do. Thanks.”
10
MICAH
I don’t know why I’m doing it, other than I still care deeply about John, and given his flustered expression, he needs the help. I’m stocking supplies behind the bar and running food, and it feels good to keep moving instead of being scrutinized by everyone around me.
Beth smiles from her perch at the bar. “You two look natural together. Always have.”
I glance over my shoulder, but John is occupied at the other end. “That’s because we’re friends first and foremost. We like and respect each other.”
“Or…”
“Please don’t go there.”
She holds up her hands. “I’m just happy to see you getting along. It’s great that two people separated by circumstances still love each other.”
“I do love him, always will. Other than that, I think that ship has sailed.”
“Or maybe it’s only pulling into port.” She winks as she carries her wine to an empty booth.
Time seems to fly as I help John all night. Jack and June keep giving me these quizzical looks, and I understand why. John is one of the best men I’ve ever known. I love his siblings, and I upset them too by leaving. That’s hard to face, and it’s another reason to make a clean break. So he’s no longer tied to someone as disappointing as me.