The three of us looked at Ruby like she’d started speaking a different language.
Ruby rolled her eyes. “Paradise Love. The reality dating showeveryoneonline has been talking about.” She paused, waiting for our reactions. “Really, nothing?”
Even Louise, who had her eyes and ears everywhere for gossip in our small town, was at a loss. Usually news of tourists didn’t phase the locals, except for when there was someone new and they were staying for longer than a couple of weeks. And, apparently, if they were also on some dating show.
“I think you got the wrong crowd here, Ruby,” Cooper said with a laugh. He turned to me. “You think Lily would know something?”
My jaw clenched, and I let out a deep sigh. Yeah, I had a feeling Lily knew. My sister had rented our cabin to a reality TV star, for fuck’s sake. I knew nothing about the show, but Juliette had to love attention and be a damn good liar if she was willing to fake being in love for the cameras. People didn’t go on those shows for love—they went on for fame.
“The last thing this town needs is someone chasing their fifteen minutes of fame,” I clipped.
The three of them stared at me in silence before Ruby spoke up. “Well, I’m glad she’s here. This town could use a little bit of fun and a little bit less whatever attitude you have going on right now.” She waved her finger in a circle in my direction.
Cooper nearly burst into laughter and moved his hand over his mouth to cover his smile. “She’s got a point,” he said under his breath, and Louise nodded in agreement.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.” With a flick of her hair, Ruby strutted off.
I ran a hand over my face. “Here, grab a towel and help me dry off the bar counter while I finish stacking these glasses,” I grumbled, tossing a towel to Cooper. He caught it with ease and stood from the stool.
The start of the summer always reminded me I could use extra help. Louise and Ruby were part of my small, dedicated staff, but on busy summer nights, we could use more help to serve drinks and food. Especially if I was serious about expanding the food menu.
Ruby was the only one of my seasonal staff who had returned to Golden Falls this summer. So, I had to figure something out, and soon. Because summer was here and Golden Falls was already bustling with activity.
I needed to focus solely on Lake Ridge. I couldn’t afford any distractions if I wanted the business to grow. If I wanted things to work out.
Not again.
6
WESLEY
The universe was testing me—orpunishing me—because I couldn’t remember the last time the bar had been as swamped as tonight. It was a Friday night, so I expected it to be busy, but we were already drawing a bigger crowd than we had at last year’s peak—and summer had only just started.
Most customers tonight were understanding of the longer wait to get a table or be served drinks, but I’d told my staff to offer a free drink or basket of fries if people got impatient.
I had to figure something out and fast.
Tonight, I didn’t mind having to help with running food and making drinks, but I knew it wasn’t sustainable if we wanted to continue to grow. Normally, I helped set up before we opened and then spent the evenings in the back office catching up on paperwork and payroll.
Since that hadn’t been the case today, I knew I was in for an even longer day tomorrow.
“See you tomorrow, Louise.” I gave her a nod as I left through the back door.
“Nice work today, boss,” she called back from the bar as she finished closing up for the night. I still wasn’t used to being called “boss,” especially not from Louise.
My dad hired her as a bartender back when he still owned the place, and she’d been working here for the last fifteen years. The best bartender in town. Hell, the best bartender in the state.
I was grateful for my staff, especially Louise, who I’d learned a lot from over the years. I was nervous to add someone new to the mix, because I didn’t want to ruin the current group’s dynamic.
I got into the driver’s side of my new black Ford pickup truck, continuing to think through who in town might be looking for a bartending gig. I was thrilled to upgrade my truck to an all-electric model earlier this year, and that new car excitement still hadn’t worn off. As I started to pull out of the parking lot, my phone rang through the truck’s Bluetooth system. Mom was calling.
“Hey, Ma. You’re up late.” I shouldn’t have been surprised she was still up. Ever since my sisters and I moved out, Mom became a night owl, often staying up late watching crime documentaries or reading romance books. Something about how she had “so much energy” because we weren’t stressing her out anymore. I knew that wasn’t quite true—she still worried about us.
She laughed. “I couldn’t put my book down. Had to finish it before going to bed. Plus, I was hoping to catch you before bed but knew you’d be busy at the bar. How’d everything go tonight?”
“Busier than I anticipated but…overall fine. I know if this keeps up, I’m in trouble, though. I want to hire a couple more people this summer. Just thinking through the logistics. Know anyone who might be looking for some extra work?”
“Well,” Mom said, “Lily mentioned Eliza was looking for some extra work here and there when she gets back from her trip to Madison. She’s a fast learner and was a bartender in college. I bet she’d be a good addition. She knows the staff and regulars already, too.”
