Betting the Bad Boy (Behind the Bar)

by Stefanie London

  That was until he screwed his life over by not being able to keep it in his pants. Then they’d transferred the saying to her. The good girl who wouldn’t make a mess of things like her brother had.

  “Did you get away unscathed?” Noah’s voice made her turn sharply, and she almost dropped her phone. “Sorry, didn’t mean to give you a fright.”

  He leaned against the wall next to her, his long legs crossed at the ankles like some goddamn model. His jeans were faded, thin around the parts of his legs that were packed with muscle. Worn and touchable. He wore a light blue T-shirt the same shade as his eyes, and the whole thing looked too darn perfect. But she was sure he hadn’t even given his appearance a second thought. When you looked that good naturally, who needed to think about fashion?

  “Sorry?” She shook her head, trying to recall what he’d asked her.

  “Did you get out unscathed?” he repeated. “I assume you were talking to your folks.”

  “Oh, yeah.” She bobbed her head. “Relatively unscathed. But I didn’t get much of a word in, so that probably had something to do with it.”

  She couldn’t seem to muster the energy to put on a brave face in front of Noah. Without the methodical distraction of making coffees to keep her mind off how shitty she felt after her interview earlier that morning, she couldn’t put on a brave face. Even if she got that job, it wouldn’t be in line with her plan. But what other options did she have?

  “Want to talk about it?” he asked.

  She brought her water bottle to her lips and took a long gulp. “No point talking about it. Besides, I assumed you wouldn’t be interested in hearing about my job-hunting woes since you looked at me like I had lipstick on my collar when I walked in this morning.”

  He chuckled. “What can I say, I’m a jealous boss. Good employees don’t grow on trees.”

  “I’m sorry I was late.” She stared down at her sneakers. “But if I don’t find a real job then I’ll have to go home with my tail between my legs.”

  As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she regretted them. Maybe he wouldn’t have picked up on that slip of the tongue…

  “A real job?” He quirked his brow. “Ouch.”

  No such luck. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “No, I get it. You have a big shiny degree and working an espresso machine isn’t going to cut it.” His expression was guarded.

  Okay, well, now she felt like a bitch. “Can I say sorry again, or are my constant apologies starting to lose their effectiveness?”

  His lip twitched. “I’m a guy, so it’s not often I’m on the receiving end of an apology. Carry on.” He motioned with his hands for her to continue.

  “Sorry for being careless with my words,” she said. “I didn’t mean to imply that your job isn’t a real job.”

  “You’re forgiven.” He shot her a sideways glance, and a hint of a smile danced on his lips. “But I really do get it. Why go through all those years of study if you’re going to do something that anyone could do?”

  “It’s not that.” She shook her head. “Getting an education and a fancy office job was my ticket out of town, you know? If I have the same job here that I could’ve had back home, how can I justify leaving my family?”

  Growing up, Paige had always gotten straight As. Sure, she might have been the class nerd, but she’d held her own on the sporting field as well. Adults had constantly told her that she could do anything she put her mind to so long as she “applied herself.”

  Read: be a good girl.

  Except now it felt like they’d lied to her. Or perhaps they hadn’t lied, but rather they didn’t understand what was required to succeed outside their happy little small-town bubble. She’d been a bigger fish in a tiny pond back home. But here, the vastness was wonderful…and terrifying.

  Could she really stand out when the competition was so much stronger?

  “Family is tricky like that,” Noah said.

  “It’s not that they’re actively trying to hold me back, but I feel like they don’t understand how tough it is here. If I tell them that I’ve failed, then they’ll want me to come home…and if I do that I might not ever leave again.” The words came tumbling out in a rush. “And then everything would have been a waste.”

  It dawned on her that she’d done a lot to maintain her position high up on the pedestal her family had set her on. She’s skipped parties and social engagements, studied for hours on end, and lived with the constant drone of dissatisfaction. No grade was ever high enough, no piece of work ever perfect enough. It wasn’t satisfactory to get full marks on a test; she also had to be the first one to finish.

  “And my friend is moving in with her boyfriend soon. Which means I lose a couch to sleep on.” She sighed. “That’s why I needed this job, to keep me afloat. But if I don’t find an accounting job soon…I’ll have failed.”

  She’d lived under the brother’s shadow for the first decade of her life, and the second that he’d stuffed up, she’d grabbed the opportunity to be the better child with both hands and hadn’t let go. What did that say about her?

  “You need to lighten up a little,” Noah said softly.

  “Yeah, no shit.” She let out a harsh laugh. “Thanks, Captain Obvious.”

  “It might seem obvious, but you’re still running around like every little thing is life-and-death. You’ll find a job, but it might take a while. I don’t know your parents, but I doubt they’d disown you for working here to pay the bills while you look for something better.”

  The slight bitterness as he said “something better” was like a jab to her stomach. He’d accepted her apology, but that didn’t take away how careless she’d been with her words.

  “Do you ever get the feeling you’re chasing stuff for the sake of it?” she asked, turning to look at him. The late-afternoon sunlight filtered down into the alley and bounced off the messy strands of his golden hair. “I’m always trying to do better or achieve more and sometimes I feel like the harder I try, the further away my goals seem.”

  He raked a hand through his hair, and Paige had to force herself not to watch his arm muscles flex. Even the most basic movements looked powerful on his body. Like mechanical perfection. “I don’t want the drama of running after the next shiny thing.”

  “But you’re filling in for your boss, aren’t you? Surely that’s a stepping-stone to the next thing?”

  “I’m happy where I am.” There was an edge to his words, a bare glimpse into something beyond his sexy, charming surface. “I don’t need more weight around my neck.”

  Something about his words didn’t ring true. But before she had a chance to push him for more details, Noah was headed back inside.

  “See you around, Paige.”

  She watched him go, curiosity bubbling in her mind and blanketing her worries. Despite her better judgment, she wanted to know why a guy like Noah—who seemed that he could have the world at his feet—viewed career advancement as a weight around his neck.

  Maybe uncovering some of his mysteries would be exactly what she needed to keep her mind off her own stresses. Which would be fine, so long as she remembered that she had a bet to win.

  Chapter Ten

  Balmy summer air brushed over Paige’s bare arms as she walked along Clarendon Street in South Melbourne. Sally’s apartment had gotten oppressively hot and Damon was being extra bitchy, so Paige had decided to go for a walk. Inexplicably, she found herself heading toward First.

  Must be one of those moth-to-a-flame things.

  Not that Noah would be working at night. From what she could tell, he only worked days, at least while he was covering for the owner. But that didn’t stop her stupid stomach from fluttering at the thought of seeing him again.

  Ever since their bungled conversation on Monday she hadn’t seen much of him. Though whether those two things were connected or not, Paige had no idea. He’d texted her once, but it was only to ask her to come in early for a shift. There had been no more playf
ul bet-related messages, either.

  Light filtered out of First’s large windows, luring her closer. Was it totally pathetic that she was heading back to her workplace on her night off? Maybe. But it’d hit Paige in the last twenty-four hours that she was a little lonely. Sally was at Travis’s place, again, and was moving some of her stuff over, which left Paige wondering how the hell to fill her time. If she spent another hour looking at job websites she may throw the laptop out a window…and that wouldn’t be good for anyone.

  Her collection of rejection letters continued to pile up in her in-box. Most of the time, she didn’t even get a look-in for an interview.

  “Fancy seeing you here.” A voice caught Paige’s attention, and she turned to see Libby walking toward her. “I didn’t think you were working tonight.”

  Libby was with her friend Nina, and they both looked every bit the glammed-up city girls. Libby’s fair skin gleamed against a strappy sunflower-yellow dress, and Nina wore all black in contrast with her edgy blue hair. They were totally different, and yet somehow they equally managed to make Paige feel dowdy.

  “I’m not working,” she replied. “But I got a little bored sitting at home.”

  “Are you meeting friends?” Libby smiled, the question no doubt innocent despite the fact that it made Paige feel even worse.

  Why don’t you tape a big yellow L to your head?

  “Ahh no, I’m flying solo.” She toyed with the edge of her tank top. “My roommate is out with her boyfriend.”

  “Do you want to join us?” Libby glanced at Nina, who nodded with a friendly smile. “We’re going to be talking wedding stuff, but if you’re okay with such boring subject matter, you’re more than welcome to sit with us.”

  “I don’t want to intrude…”

  “You said that to me once before.” Libby slipped her arm through Paige’s and tugged her toward First. “If I didn’t like you I wouldn’t extend the invite.”

  Nina laughed. “That’s true. She might look sweet as pie, but she’s not big on doing things out of obligation.”

  “Too many years spent trying to please people instead of following my own path.” Libby smiled in a way that told Paige there was more to that story. “Come on, we’ve got a wedding to discuss.”

  “Ugh, she said the W word.” Nina winked at Paige as they walked into First. “I guess that means bridezilla’s about to show up.”

  “Hey!” Libby frowned. “I’m no bridezilla. And I helped out with your wedding, missy. This is payback.”

  “It’s times like this I wish I had a penis,” Nina retorted.

  “Charming.” Libby gave her friend a playful shove.

  They headed straight to a booth in the back corner, which had a little gold “reserved” plate sitting on top of it. Paige slid in first, at Libby’s request, and found her eyes drifting to the bar. The area with the espresso machine looked empty, though it probably wasn’t late enough for people to be ordering post-dinner coffees yet. Most of the seating area was full, and several people dotted the bar.

  “Nina only had a wedding because her parents begged her,” Libby explained as they settled into the booth. “She thinks they’re a waste of time and money.”

  “Damn straight.” Nina adjusted an oversize silver hoop earring. “I wanted to elope.”

  “But, because she’s a good friend, she has still agreed to be my bridesmaid.” Libby grinned when Nina muttered something under her breath.

  As the two women traded friendly jabs with each other, Paige found her eyes drifting back to the bar.

  He’s not going to be here. So why don’t you stop being pathetic and let it go?

  Except Noah was there. He stepped out of the office and ran a hand along his stubble-coated jaw, looking every bit like he’d been dropped out of a superhero movie and into civilian life. Sans the skintight costume, unfortunately.

  He stopped at one of the patrons sitting at the bar and appeared to be taking an order. Sure enough, he grabbed a pint glass and held it up to one of the beer taps.

  “So maybe you can help us settle something, Paige,” Libby said, drawing her attention back to the booth. “I’m trying to figure out which of these bridesmaid dresses to choose. We can’t seem to agree.”

  “That’s because two out of three bridesmaids are preggers,” Nina said. When Paige raised a brow, she shook her head vigorously. “Not me. I love my little man, but I need to forget how much I hated being pregnant before I try again.”

  “You haven’t met Gracie yet, but she’s married to Paul’s brother, Des,” Libby said. “And she’ll be near full-term by the time of the wedding. My other friend, Lisa, is also pregnant.”

  “So now we’re looking at ugly-ass maternity wear,” Nina said. “Which is why I said I was more than happy to be the emcee instead of a bridesmaid. That way you can focus on dressing the other two.”

  “Don’t make me go all bridezilla on you,” Libby said with a grin. “You said yes and now I’m holding you to it. Don’t worry, we’ll find something nice.”

  “Nice,” Nina huffed. “Do I ever look nice?”

  Paige stifled a laugh. Nina was gorgeous, but she had a point. “Nice” was the last word she would have selected to describe her appearance. Edgy came to mind. Monochromatic. Gorgeously intimidating.

  But not nice.

  Libby ignored the question. “I’m currently looking at these three dresses. They’re a wrap shape, which should help the other two out because we can adjust the waist. I’m leaning toward the teal, but maybe the shell pink might look better.”

  She handed her phone over to Paige, which had a picture of three dresses side by side. “Uhhh, they’re all lovely.”

  “Lovely. Nice.” Nina groaned. “You’re trying to turn me into a Stepford wife.”

  “Oh shush,” Libby said. “It’s one day. You won’t turn to stone if you have to wear something girlie. You managed to get through my launch party in pink, if I remember correctly.”

  “And I felt like a goddamn cupcake the whole time,” Nina muttered.

  Paige stared at the picture, trying to think of the right thing to say, when her skin prickled. She had the feeling of being watched, the kind of intuitive sense of having another person’s gaze sweeping over you in a way that was more than a passing glance. She looked up and caught Noah’s eyes. They were wide and intense. Almost burning.

  “What drinks can I get for you lovely ladies?” he asked smoothly. “It’s on the house.”

  Libby shook her head. “You know a free drink isn’t exciting when it’s my product, right?”

  “It’s exciting for me. Vodka soda, please. I’ll try the orange basil one.” Nina grinned. “Don’t suppose you come with the drink?”

  The words hit Paige’s stomach with force. Her fingernails bit into the plush seat of the booth as she forced herself not to outwardly react.

  Holy jealousy freak-out, Batman! How about we keep those hormones in check?

  Laughing, Noah waited for the rest of the table to order their drinks. Paige opted for one of Libby’s vodkas as well, since she wanted to be supportive.

  “So Paul’s come down with man flu, has he?” Noah braced one arm against the high side of the booth. It made his biceps bulge beneath the thin cotton of his white-and-blue-checked shirt. He’d rolled the sleeves up to his elbows, and Paige wasn’t sure how she’d never before noticed that shirts were sexy as hell.

  “He’s got some kind of stomach bug. Poor thing.” Libby frowned. “Nina and I had scheduled a girls’ night and he didn’t want me to miss out. He said to say thanks for covering his shift.”

  “No worries. Why did you come here, though?” Noah raised a brow. “Surely you don’t want to hang around work on your night off.”

  “Why not? At least I know the drinks are good.” Libby winked. “Besides, we have secret wedding business to discuss and it’s quiet enough here to have a conversation.”

  “Oh yeah, the wedding. Paul hasn’t mentioned it.” He laughed an
d ducked out of the way of Libby’s swatting hand. “I’ll take that as my cue. Drinks are coming right up. I’ll get one of the guys to bring out some food for you.”

  He sauntered off, and Paige found herself licking her lips as Noah’s ass slowly disappeared from her field of vision.

  “Damn, that man is hot as a jalapeño.” Nina shook her head and made an appreciative sound in the back of her throat.

  “You two looked like you were getting pretty intimate at the mixology class,” Libby said to Paige with a sly side glance.

  “Oh, sorry.” Nina clamped her hand over her mouth. “I didn’t know there was something going on between you. I was only teasing him, by the way. I’m very happily married.”

  “It’s fine, nothing is going on.” Paige waved her hands back and forth. “Nope. Nothing going on at all. Not even a little bit.”

  “Want to say ‘no’ one more time so it’s clear?” Libby teased.

  “Now I feel bad.” Nina reached out and patted Paige’s hand. “No more comments from me, I promise. Sistas before mistas and all that jazz.”

  “Sistas before mistas?” Libby slapped a palm down on the table. “That’s hilarious.”

  “Yeah, I like it better than chicks before dicks. Or Venus before penis.” Nina grinned. “Or besties before testes.”

  “So gross.” Libby shook her head, but she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

  “We used to say mates before dates back home, but that feels so boring now,” Paige said.

  “Don’t be taking any language cues from Nina.” Libby wrinkled her nose. “She’s got a mouth like a sailor.”

  At that point Noah returned with their drinks. He set them down, remembering exactly who’d ordered what. All three versions of the vodka sodas were identical save for the garnish that indicated the infusion blend. Orange for the orange and basil, a rose petal for the rose and marshmallow, and a mint leaf for the blueberry mint.