Page 2 of Merry Me Bartender
So, why in the world is he still looking our way? Is he searching for a problem?
With the cold season upon us, the bar is basically empty. Outside of the four regulars cradling their glasses, this place is a ghost town. The best thing we can do to keep busy is do some extra cleaning.
Isthatwhy he wants us to decorate? Maybe it’ll pull over new customers and we’ll get more business. That’s a smart boss move.
By the time I have the courage to look back over at Kade, I’m relieved to see his attention has moved back to the jukebox. He’s cursing under his breath and looking like he’s ready to tear up the manual. The older man really isn’t the best when it comes to technology.
Should I offer to help? It’ll be like setting up the POS system all over again.
Clean, Joyce. If he wanted your help, he’d ask.
Tossing my towel down, my face sours as I move to sweep. So much salt residue stains the wooden floor and I can’t wait to give it all one good mop. No matter how many customers stroll inside, I’m forced to take in the trail of white.
As I sweep, I find myself moving closer and closer to Kade. Each brush of the broom is one step closer. Eventually, I can breathe in his faded cologne and hear his frustrated grumbles more clearly.
“Putting in some holiday tunes?” Attempting to act casual, I keep my eyes to myself while making sure to sweep around him to look busy. “This’ll be great.”
Looking my way, his manual droops in his hands. He doesn’t look as excited as I feel. Those brows of his are all bunched, his jaw set. If Santa Claus came in to spread some cheer, I have no doubt this man would deck his halls right out of the bar.
When the thought makes me smile, he lifts a brow. Shoot. The last thing I need is for him to think I’m making fun of his struggles.
“If I can get it to work.” His agitation rumbles out as he straightens up. Hunched over for so long, his back cracks and my gaze lifts with his body.
Sometimes, I forget that Kade is a bear. Huge in all ways possible, he towers over everyone he meets and every time he looks down at me, well, I feel like a tiny animal in comparison.
Sometimes, the way his eyes rest down at me, it feels like he could eat me right up too.
“Do you need help?” I ask, the words coming out before I can stop them. Gripping the broom handle in hand, I wait for any form of rejection. Or, even better, an invitation to do more work.
Unless he yells at me, I’m not going to be able to stop drifting toward this man. Kade has never yelled at me, not once. Not in the two years I’ve been around.
Before I can react, he’s thrusting the manual in my direction. Clearly frustrated with the device, he scowls down at it.
Resting the broom against the wall, I accept his book and take a look at the thickness. From the way the pages are curled and yellowed, I imagine this instruction manual is as old as the man in front of me.
Brushing my finger along each page, I try to understand the words I’m reading. So far, I feel like I’m reading a foreign language here. No wonder he’s all frustrated.
“Might be time to upgrade and get a stereo system. Play music off our phones and whatnot.” Scratching the stubble on his cheek, I can’t stop my smile this time around.
“I like this jukebox. Gives the bar more charm. Even if we can’t get it to work again, maybe we can keep it around for decoration.” Departing if he’d even care, my mouth twists up.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand again and I don’t have to look this time to confirm he’s staring. No, this bear man is hovering behind me, pointing at a certain part in the book with his thick finger. For a moment, I lose myself in counting the hairs on his knuckle before snapping out of it.
“Okay, yeah, none of this makes sense. Maybe it is time to upgrade and take advantage of some deals,” I agree with a nod. Giving up rather quickly, he chuckles and fills my stomach with butterflies. “But, how about we close it back up and pretend you didn’t break it?”
I shouldn’t be trying to joke with this man, yet, I’m on a streak here. If he chuckles again, I might as well be a champion when it comes to making Kade laugh.
After working on the jukebox for so long, he looks all but relieved to call it quits. “Haven’t opened that thing in half a decade. Never going to open it up again after this.”
While he’s cleaning up any extra screws he finds laying about, I’m grabbing the broom again and thinking more out than in.
“You should let me make a playlist,” I suggest before adding quickly, “if we’re going to play music off our phones. It’ll be easier if there is a set handful of songs, you know?”
Lifting one of those thick brows, he considers my question for all of two seconds before nodding his head in agreement. Less work for him and he won’t have to struggle with technology.
I have to fight to keep my feet on the ground. Don’t need to look childish by jumping up in the air. We’re both winners with this decision to upgrade.
“You won’t regret this,” I tell him with a grin, already thinking of what songs I’ll want to listen to for the next couple of weeks.