Free On the Rocks (Pub Fiction Book 2) by Gillian Jones

to mention the fact that I haven’t actually tasted her). Yet.
    Jesus, I sound like a stalker, thank fuck none of the guys can hear me. Shit, we worked well together, really fucking well. She is most definitely a fast learner and that sass of hers just about had my cock standing at attention all day. I can’t stop thinking about her laugh as she teased me over lunch that she was surprised that I didn’t build an apartment on top of Pub Fiction, seeing as I obviously loved it so much.
    I had never taken an employee out for lunch, especially during a training shift like that, but damn if I didn’t want some one-on-one time with her outside of the bar. I also failed to mention to Braunwyn that the coffee with Shelby was only because she was waiting on a tow truck, not because I wanted to get to know her. I wanted Braunwyn to relax and talk to me like would-be friends, not boss-to-employee talk. Luckily, I think it worked. She and I got along well—so well that I can’t seem to shake her off.
    “Yeah, I’m here, dude. Sorry, I was just thinking about my new hire. I had to train her today. It’s been a long time. I was sitting here hoping I didn’t miss anything major, you know? Just running over the checklist in my mind.”
    “Oh, yeah. She hot? Hey, better if you did forget shit, then you’ll have more opportunities to retrain her. Am I right?” he asks, raising his brows.
    I laugh at what an idiot he can be. He’s right, though; I’d like to work with her close like that again, that’s for damn sure. “Yeah, she’s very fucking hot actually. Beautiful. Seems sweet too. But something’s off. Not sure what, but there’s something. She seems guarded, a bit reluctant to be herself.” I think back on the way she paused when I asked about her having a boyfriend, the look of sadness that seemed to cloud those gorgeous eyes of hers. A look I never want to be responsible for putting there again.
    “Who cares about that shit? Not like you’ll stick around to find out, right? When you gonna tap that?”
    “Nah, man, she ain’t like that. I can tell she’s…different.” Fuck, as soon as the words fall from my lips, I know I’m done for.
    Clapping his hands together, Finn jiggles his knees up and down with excitement. “Whoo whoohoo. Well, well. I never thought I’d see the day. Levi Eddison is getting all serious about a girl. Ha, I love it. What next? You gonna follow in Ryk’s footsteps?” he teases.
    “What the fuck you saying about me now, Finn?” Ryker interjects. “You’re just jealous, ya bastard.”
    I laugh as Ryker, Matty and Phil walk into my backyard, a six-pack of Stella in each of their hands. I watch the exchange, silently thanking my little bro for the reprieve.
    “Nothing bad, man. Just asking Levi if he’s gonna get with this new girl he can’t seem to stop thinking about. He’s been telling me how she’s ‘different’.” Finn says. The bastard even air quotes my words.
    “Fuck this,” I mutter, heading to grab a few more chairs for the guys.
    Ryker gives me a look before laughing, “Oh, hell, brother. This is how it starts, believe me, and you’re done for now, buddy. How long’s it been since you’ve been thinking about her constantly? If you say since you met then you might as well call mom and give her the good news,” the dick says, laughing at his mom jab while fist-bumping Finn.
    “It’s not like that, dude. That’s not what I was saying, she’s just cool, is all. We’re friends.” I shrug. For now. “Just drop it, it’s not like she’s all I think about. This asshole’s exaggerating,” I thumb toward Finn.
    “Huh, I see,” Ryker says, rubbing his chin as if contemplating a real problem. I can only imagine what the fucker’s gonna say next. “Well, answer this: you know the times where you catch yourself smiling? Do you then realize it’s ’cause you were thinking about her?”
    I think about it, and the answer is a complete “fuck, yeah,” but