That starts the conversation, everyone reminiscing about the game. A few of the players stop by the table to give Barry a fist bump, and he’s all smiles. Once the waitress takes our order, the parents are already on to their own conversations, so Barry changes ours.
“So, what’s up, man?” he asks Zane. “Feels like forever since I’ve seen you.”
“Don’t I know it. Was working construction for a while. You know how it is: long days when you can get them in, trying to beat the weather. I actually just quit though,” he says, taking a drink of his beer.
“New job?” Maggie asks.
“Yeah, you remember me talking about my friend Crew?” Barry smirks and Zane laughs. “Well, he came into some inheritance about a year ago. He’s been working on getting his own club up and running, and he brought me on to help get staff hired. I’ll be the head of security.”
“That seems like a big change for you,” Maggie says.
“Yeah, but a good one. I have no doubt that Crew will make this place a success. He’s determined, that one.”
“You’ll have to let us know when it opens. We’ll stop by,” Maggie says.
“Sounds like fun,” I add.
“You got it. I’ll make sure to hook you up with VIP.”
“Nice.” Barry holds his fist out and they bump.
Our food comes and we spend the rest of the night listening to Zane and Barry talk about their antics with this guy Crew. Maggie assures me that I’ve met him, but I don’t recall.
“He’s gorgeous, Berklee. You would remember, trust me.”
I laugh at her. “We pretty much stopped following this guy around like a puppy once high school hit.” I point to Barry. “Sounds like I missed out.”
“Oh you did, B. You so did.” Maggie laughs.
LOOKING AT THE clock on the microwave, I see I have thirty minutes until I have to meet Zane at the club. I gulp back the rest of my coffee, place the cup in the sink and gather my stuff. It took me all damn weekend, but I finally finished the packet for the liquor license. I’m sure someone with a business background could have done it faster, but I found myself consulting Google more often than not. I’ve been putting in countless hours of research but it’s worth it. I want Club Titan to be a success.
First order of business for Zane today is for us to find a manager or administrator or whatever we decide to call it. As owner, I want to do just that—own the club. See it thrive. I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.
I’m almost to the club when Coffee House comes into view. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m parked in front of the building and climbing out of my car. The bell jingles when I open the door, announcing my presence. My eyes lock on the counter and there she is, the blue-eyed, autumn-haired girl from last week. I flash her a smile and make my way to the counter.
“Good morning,” she says.
“Morning,” I reply, never taking my eyes off hers. Their color reminds me of the sky on a clear summer day.
“Coffee, black, biggest we have.” She smiles.
That smile. She’s fucking gorgeous. I remind myself that I have to focus on the club. I can’t let myself get distracted. Keep my eye on the prize and all that. As far as mental pep talks go, it’s a good one, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve already had three cups of coffee at home today and yet here I am.
Looking for her.
“You memorize all your customer’s orders?” I ask.
“It’s been a slow week,” she says, turning to grab a cup.
It’s a hit to my ego, but the sting is long forgotten as I stare at her ass in those tight little pants as she pours my coffee. All too soon she’s turning around, and I curse the fact that I don’t add all that other shit to my drink. Surely that would take her longer than to just pour my cup of black.
When she slides the cup my way, I reach out and place my hand next to hers, feeling her skin. “Thanks.” I bring the cup to my lips for a drink. Her eyes follow my every move. Setting the cup on the counter, I pull a twenty out of my wallet and hold it out for her. She doesn’t notice at first, her gaze locked on mine. I motion toward my hand and she blushes.
Damn.
“Keep the change, Berklee.” My voice is husky even to my own ears.
“I can’t. I don’t even know your name.”
“You can.” I lean in and rest my forearms on the counter. “If you know my name there’s no more mystery. You’ll forget my order with all the others,” I say with a smirk. “See you around.” I stand, grab my coffee and turn to leave. Once I make it back to my car, I make a conscious effort to not look back at Coffee House. Her pull is too strong. She has no idea what she does to me. It’s unlike me to feel this kind of attraction with just casual conversation. It has to be the fact that I’ve put myself on a hiatus from dating, from women in general. I’m not exactly much of a dater. I need to stay focused and a girl like Berklee, she can make a man lose more than just his focus with a simple look.
Pulling into the lot of the club, I see Zane sitting on the bench outside the front door, talking to the contractor. Beckett Construction came highly recommended, and Ridge has proven that he and his team know their stuff. I almost hired Zane’s company, but I knew I wanted him to work for me, and that would have been all kinds of uncomfortable. Besides, Beckett Construction has one hell of a reputation. I wanted the best.
“Write it down.” Zane grins. “I never beat you. You feeling all right, my man?” he chides.
I hold up my cup. “Had to stop for coffee.”
He laughs. “I see how you are. Didn’t bother to bring me one.”
Honestly, I should have, but Berklee kept me from thinking of anything but her. “Sorry, man.” I almost volunteer to go get him one. It’s just around the corner and I could see her again; that would certainly throw her for a loop. No. Focus, Crew. “Next time,” I say instead.
“I’ve already had three cups, I was just giving you shit.”
Me too. “So, I finished the liquor license packet, the second one. I really need to get someone with a business background in here. I know enough to get by and most of it is common sense, but I need someone I can depend on for this kind of stuff.”
“Okay. So what are you thinking?”
“A business manager or administrator, Google suggested both.” I laugh.
Zane joins in. “All right, I’ll call a couple of agencies and maybe check in with the local college. You okay with a new grad?”
“Yeah, as long as they know their shit. Actually, I might prefer it. I can train them the way I want. I don’t want some know-it-all coming in here telling me how to run things. I just need someone with the business savvy to monitor the books, payroll, staffing, and this fucking paperwork,” I say.
“Got it. Our interviews start in an hour. I’ll make some phone calls.”
Taking a seat at the makeshift desk, I take out my laptop and pull up my e-mail. I’ve got an hour to put a dent in some of them.