Free Keeping the Beat: An Adrenaline Novel by Morgan O'Hara

Kenzie."
                  “I know.” I tried to give her a confident look. “It’s going to be fine.”
                  Emma pulled her hair over her shoulder and frowned at me with her hands on her hips. “What’s up, Kenzie?” Her eyes narrowed on me as if she were daring me to lie to her.
                  I gave a small shrug and started to move around her, grabbing the two bottles she was holding from her hands. “Are you going to test my knowledge before letting me loose on your customers?” Smiling, I waited for Emma’s response. She continued to glare at me for a moment before letting out a frustrated sigh.
                  “I guess I should.”
                  Emma gave me a few drink orders which I immediately went about making without looking at the menu. Jared was right, I had memorized it before. There were a lot of good things that came from having a photographic memory. I’d have to add bartending to the list.
                  After ordering five different drinks Emma let out a contagious laugh that had a few heads turning in our direction. She had always had a great laugh, one that immediately made you want in on the joke.
                  “Alright, you pass the test.” Just as she finished speaking Jared rounded the corner and joined us behind the bar. He glanced at Emma’s impressed expression once before turning his attention to me.
                  “Do I even need to work back here tonight?”
                  “Yes,” Emma and I answered in unison.
                  Jared looked pained as he leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “Fine, but only because you’re both so pretty.” I rolled my eyes while Emma smacked him hard on the shoulder. When I glanced away, I saw that the current bartender was headed over to us with a grim look on his face.
                  “I’m out,” he said tilting his head towards the employee’s break room. “Heads up the lady at the end of the bar doesn't tip and she’s going to need a cab home by the time she’s done here.” The man looked over at me and gave a smile before extending his hand for me to shake. “Hi, I’m Conner.”
                  “Kenzie,” I introduced myself returning his handshake. I felt his fingers tighten on mine as his grin grew and I tugged my hand away feeling slightly uncomfortable. His warm brown eyes twinkled at me as if he knew what I had done. Not wanting to offend my new coworker I forced myself to return his smile.
                  “Thanks for the heads up,” Jared’s voice lost it’s friendliness making Conner frown as he turned towards his boss. I glanced over and saw that Jared’s usually easy going grin was gone replaced with a stern frown. Emma was biting her lip, looking as though she was trying not to laugh. “We’ll see you later, Conner.”
                  Clearly getting the hint Conner turned and walked into the break room without another word. Emma gave up and started giggling as she watched Jared’s features relax.
                  “Do you not like him?” I asked, mystified as to what had just happened. Jared was usually nice to everyone. I wondered what would make him dislike someone enough to be so abrupt with them.
                  “He’s a nice enough guy,” Jared shrugged his broad shoulders as his eyes followed Conner’s progress to the break room.
                  “Then why were you so short with him?”
                  “Because he’s not good enough for you and I recognized the look in his eye. I’m totally on board with your plan, but Conner isn't the kind of person you’re looking to meet.”
                  “What plan?” Emma looked back and forth between Jared and I as I continued to stare at him, my heartbeat quickening