A Risk Worth Taking (Book 1)

by Aleks Mitchell

Hayden shook her head as she hugged her father. As Hayden pulled away David held onto her tighter.

  “Just a few more seconds,” David said, holding his daughter tightly.

  Hayden smiled softly. She had always been a major daddy’s girl growing up. According to her mother, her father was overjoyed when he found out they were having a daughter. Ever since then he’d made it his mission to keep her happy and protected. It was hard for him having his baby girl in New York by herself.

  “Alright you two, let’s eat before the food gets cold,” Julia said.

  The family of five sat down at the kitchen table, finally full again.

  “How is New York?” Rachel asked excitedly. “Do you meet a lot of cool people there? What are they like?”

  “Jeez,” Gabe admonished, stuffing half of a pancake into his mouth. “You’re asking way too many questions for this early in the morning.”

  Rachel stuck her tongue out at the man and turned back to her sister.

  “New York is great, busy, but great. I do meet some cool people, but a lot of them have a serious attitude problem.”

  “Probably because of how crowded it is,” Gabe said. “It’s like being in the mall during Christmas season. I can’t stand it.”

  “You’d fit right in Gabe,” Hayden grinned. She turned her attention to her dad who was smiling at her from across the table. “How’s everything at the bar?”

  “Everything is great,” David responded. “I did some remodeling.”

  “And when he says remodeling, he means he changed the entire place,” Gabe added.

  “Really?” Hayden asked in surprise. “But you said you’d never change it. No matter what.”

  David had inherited the bar from his father before Hayden was even born. He kept it the way he had originally had it since it was in the town for so long. It felt like a piece of the town’s history, not to mention a piece of their family heritage. It had an old school vibe to it, but a lot of people liked that about the place.

  “I know, but I felt like it was time for a change,” David shrugged. “The customers seem to really like it. It’s brought in a lot of the younger crowd too.”

  “As long as you don’t change the music, I’m fine with a little change in décor,” Hayden said.

  “I’d never get rid of the Jazz music, Hayden,” David smiled.

  “Hey, we’re headed there after breakfast,” Gabe said. “You should come with and check it out.”

  “Okay,” Hayden quickly agreed.

  “Oh and you can meet our new bar tender,” David added. “She’s great!”

  “Hmm, really?” Hayden asked with a smirk.

  “Yeah, I think you’ll think so too,” Gabe said, winking at his sister. “She’s totally your type.”

  “Shut up,” Hayden admonished, blushing. She knew her parents knew she was a free spirit when it came to the dating department, but that didn’t mean she liked discussing her sex life in front of them. She couldn’t even watch a sex scene in a movie in the same room as them. She always felt incredibly awkward.

  “No, I think he’s right,” David said seriously. “You’d definitely like her.”

  “Dad,” Hayden blushed.

  “I’m just messing with you,” David laughed. “But she has been a great new addition to Kove. She’s great with the customers.”

  Gabe looked at Hayden and winked at her, wiggling his eyebrows. Gabe always loved teasing Hayden. Her reactions were always priceless.

  Hayden had to admit, she was intrigued about this new bartender now. Though, at the moment she only had one woman on her mind. Kate.

  Chapter 4

  Hayden rode with her father and brother to the bar. As soon as they got to Kove, Hayden looked around the place in awe. So much had changed since she’d been back. Her father wasn’t kidding when he said he’d changed the look. It was going to take some getting used to.

  “Wow, Dad, you really weren’t kidding huh?” Hayden asked.

  “I told you,” David said. “I’m trying to stay with the times. Sometimes you have to conform a little if you want to compete.”

  “Yeah but your bar has a loyal customer base,” Hayden reasoned. “You don’t have to change the place completely.”

  “I didn’t change the place completely,” David defended. “The menus are still the same.”

  Hayden rolled her eyes as she followed David and Gabe to behind the bar. Hayden looked around, hoping to spot this new bartender that her father and brother seemed to love so much.

  “So, where’s this famous bartender at?” Hayden questioned.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” Gabe teased.

  Hayden smiled, but quickly turned serious when she saw the woman coming from the kitchen area behind the bar. She’d know that woman anywhere. She knew every part of the woman, intimately.

  What is she doing here? Wait, she came from the kitchen. She can’t work here, can she? No, there is no way she works here.

  “Here she is now,” Gabe smiled.

  NO! You have got to be kidding me right now! This is not happening. This cannot happen! She cannot work here!

  “What?” Hayden questioned, surprise evident on her face. “That’s the new bartender?”

  Gabe looked at Hayden in question before turning back to the slowly approaching brunette.

  “Hayden, I’d like you to meet one of the best bartenders we’ve ever had,” David smiled. “Hayden, this is Kate. Kate, this is my daughter, Hayden.”

  The look of surprise on Kate’s face mirrored Hayden’s expression. Both women didn’t know how to react. Not only had the two already met, but they had spent an amazing night together. They knew the most intimate things about each other. To say this was a surprise would be putting it lightly.

  “Um, nice to meet you, Hayden,” Kate smiled, extending her hand to the blonde. It was obvious to her that the blonde needed help.

  “Yeah, you too, Kate,” Hayden replied sheepishly.

  Thanks for the save Kate! She really is amazing. I really wish I didn’t have such a huge fear of commitment.

  Gabe looked at Hayden with a quirked eyebrow. He could tell something was going on, he just wasn’t sure what.

  “Kate can make any kind of drink you could imagine,” David commented. “And from what I hear she’s a pretty amazing chef as well.”

  Well, the French toast was definitely amazing. So was every other part of her.

  “Really?” Hayden asked enthusiastically. Maybe a bit too enthusiastically because both her father and brother looked at Hayden with confused expressions.

  “Yeah, I make a pretty mean French toast,” Kate smiled sarcastically.

  Hayden dropped her mouth open and searched for some type of words, but nothing came out. Suddenly Kate made Hayden feel like a nervous wreck. She didn’t know what to say to the woman or how to react.

  “So, how’s the morning been?” David asked Kate.

  “Great! We had a decent crowd this morning. One problem though, the shipment for this morning got delayed. It should be here by noon though.”

  “That’s okay, as long as it gets delivered today no harm done. I’m going to give them a call to make sure everything is still being included in the delivery. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the office.”

  “Alright, we’ll hold the fort down for you,” Gabe smiled. Gabe was a natural at running the bar. He was already ready for his dad to hand him full reigns. Though he knew his dad was far from ready to retire.

  Kate made eye contact with Hayden, a smirk slowly spreading across her lips. Hayden looked back and blushed as she forced herself to look away awkwardly.

  Kate was definitely enjoying watching the blonde act so frazzled. It was kind of cute. She liked seeing this side of Hayden. It was a stark contrast from the confident woman she slept with last night.

  “Our dad wouldn’t shut up about you,” Gabe laughed as soon as David left the area. “I’m pretty sure he’s in love with you.”

  “I have
that effect on people,” Kate joked, stealing a side glance at Hayden.

  You certainly do.

  Hayden sighed as she looked around at the practically empty bar. She wished more than anything that a rush of people would come flying through the doors. But it was way too early for the lunch rush so she knew that she was stuck in this incredibly awkward situation.

  This is so AWKWARD.

  “I was just about to fill up the salt shakers,” Kate started. “They’re running a little low. I’m just going to go grab the salt from the back.”

  “I’ll help you!” Hayden exclaimed quickly and abruptly.

  “With the salt?” Gabe asked, dumbfounded at his sister’s behavior.

  “Yeah,” Hayden shrugged. “Salt can be heavy.”

  “I’m pretty sure Kate can handle carrying some salt, Hayden.”

  “I’ll help her anyway!”

  Hayden followed after the woman who had already started heading toward the back room. As soon as Hayden entered the back room, Kate pulled her behind the door and closed it slightly.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you work here?” Hayden asked in a hushed voice.

  “How was I supposed to know that I work at the bar that your dad owns?”

  “I told you my last name was Kovacs! David Kovacs, bar owner. Hayden Kovacs, daughter of bar owner. You didn’t put two and two together?”

  “Honestly, that was the last thing on my mind last night,” Kate smiled slyly. “Besides, I had a few. I wasn’t exactly in the right state of mind at the moment, Hayden.”

  “I cannot believe this is happening,” Hayden sighed, putting her hands over her face.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” Kate tried to comfort the woman. She was enjoying seeing the girl so frazzled, but she could tell that the blonde was starting to get worked up. “This doesn’t have to be a big deal.”

  “It is a big deal, Kate. You and I have seen each other, naked. My dad like loves you and he’s going to be pissed at me if I do anything to ruin you working here.”

  “There’s no reason that has to happen. You and I slept together when we had no idea about any of this. We can keep that between us. It’ll be our little secret. No big deal.”

  “I don’t know. My dad has ways of finding things out. I can never hide anything from him.”

  It didn’t help that the entire town was full of gossips. Everyone knew everyone’s business in Staunton, especially if it was the least bit scandalous. It was one of the reasons Hayden was so happy to have moved out of the town.

  “Look, from what you told me, you won’t be in town long anyway, right?”

  “Right,” Hayden nodded.

  “So, I’m sure we can act professional for two weeks or so.”

  “Of course,” Hayden answered obviously.

  “Well, I mean I know I can,” Kate joked. “I’m not so sure about you though.”

  “Hey, I can act professional!”

  “I’m not so sure. Were you out there just now when I had to save you from your impending awkwardness?”

  “I was not that awkward,” Hayden responded.

  “Yeah, okay, sure,” Kate said condescendingly.

  Is she seriously making fun of me right now? She’s amused by this, I can tell. Doesn’t she know that this can end very badly?

  “Oh whatever. So, you’re sure this isn’t going to be a problem?”

  “I promise that for the next two weeks I will act like I never saw you naked,” Kate said seriously, hoping to get a rise from the woman.

  Hayden sighed as she glared at the woman seriously. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”

  “A little bit,” Kate answered honestly.

  The next two weeks were sure going to be interesting.

  Chapter 5

  The next day, Hayden managed to get out of going to the bar for the day time shift. She was really hoping that Kate only worked the day time shift. Gabe had mentioned going to the bar later on that night to grab a drink and Hayden was trying desperately not to run into the brunette. She had tried to convince him to go to Vince’s instead, but so far he hadn’t let up.

  Though going to Vince’s wouldn’t be a good idea either. She already knew that Kate was a regular at the establishment. There was a high chance she’d run into the woman there as well. Actually, there was a high chance she’d run into the woman anywhere she went considering how small the town was.

  What had Hayden even more on edge was the fact that a part of her wanted to run into the woman. She couldn’t stop thinking about the other night. Kate was truly one of a kind. If it wasn’t for her rule, she would have taken Kate working at her father’s bar as a sign. A sign that she and Kate could be more than just a onetime thing. After all, the two of them worked great together. And not just because they had amazing sex together. They could talk to each other like they’d known each other for years. That kind of bond seemed hard to come by these days.

  But, she couldn’t break her rule. Not after she was this close to having the career she had hoped for. She was so close to living the life she wanted. She had a plan. She’d get the job and then maybe a little bit down the line she’d finally settle down with the right person.

  But what if Kate is that right person and I’m just letting her get away?

  Perhaps Lauren was right. The rule did seem to be holding her back. She could potentially have something great with Kate. But she’d have to let her plan fall apart in order to see if that could happen. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to let that happen yet.

  After dinner that night, Hayden stayed behind to help her parents clean up the kitchen. Hayden’s parents couldn’t help but notice how quiet she had been during dinner. It was apparent to them that something was bothering their daughter. Little did they know that there were a few things bothering the woman.

  “Is everything okay honey?” Julia asked.

  “Yeah,” Hayden nodded. “Why?”

  “I don’t know, you seemed a little quiet at dinner tonight.”

  “Plus, you have that look on your face,” David added.

  Ever since Hayden was a little girl she had the most telling facial expressions. She was never able to hide her emotions, even if she tried.

  “I don’t have a look,” Hayden defended herself, passing a dried dish to her father.

  “Unfortunately sweetheart, you do,” Julia disagreed.

  Hayden sighed as she started drying the next dish. Aside from her situation with Kate, she was also dealing with telling her parents that she was moving to New York permanently. She knew that they were hoping it would just be for college, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to return to Staunton permanently. Staunton would always be her home, but she still needed to see what was out there.

  “I have to tell you guys something,” Hayden said cautiously.

  “That sounds serious,” David commented.

  “It’s not really all that serious.”

  “Well, whatever it is, you can tell us anything Hayden,” Julia smiled.

  “I interviewed for a job in New York,” Hayden revealed.

  Julia and David stayed quiet at the revelation. They already knew where Hayden was going with the conversation. They’d even seen it coming. They knew Hayden was really enjoying living in New York. It only made sense that she would try to find a job there and stay permanently.

  “It’s at this marketing firm. Anyway, if I get it it’ll mean staying in New York, permanently.”

  David cleared his throat, looking down from his daughter. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed that his daughter wouldn’t be joining him and Gabe at the bar. Not only did he want his daughter closer to home, but she was also really great at the bar. She had a knack for running the bar. He knew she’d be an excellent manager one day.

  “Is this job going to make you happy?” Julia asked.

  Hayden thought about that for a moment. She thought it would make her happy. But, she wasn’t completely certain yet. “I think so,” H
ayden answered, somewhat surely.

  “Then, that’s all that matters,” Julia said.

  “Your mother is right, Hayden,” David agreed. “It’s important that you love what you do. You spend a lot of your life working. It should be something that makes you happy. If this job is what is going to make you happy, I say go for it.”

  “You guys don’t have to lie about how you feel to save my feelings,” Hayden said.

  “We’re not,” David laughed. “We’re really proud of you sweetie.”

  Hayden grinned. She loved that she made her parents proud. Deep down that was a huge motivation for her. But, she’d never let them know that. It’d get in the way of her rebel without a care attitude.

  “Thanks,” Hayden said.

  It felt like a huge weight was lifted off of Hayden’s chest. But, something still felt off about the whole thing. Hayden had told her parents and they didn’t react badly. So why was the thought of getting this job making Hayden get a bad feeling in her stomach? This was what she wanted, right?

  “I’m not taking no for an answer,” Gabe said, throwing a pillow he was holding at his sister.

  “Why do you want to go to the bar so badly?” Hayden asked. “You work there, remember?”

  “Exactly! It’s always nice going there and being a customer, rather than a boss.”

  Hayden started cracking up at Gabe’s statement, earning an incredulous look from Gabe.

  “What?” Gabe asked.

  “Nothing,” Hayden laughed.

  “No, seriously! What?”

  “It’s just you referring to yourself as a boss.”

  “I am a boss!”

  “You’re hardly a boss, Gabe. Dad still tells you what to do and he always will. He’ll probably still tell you what to do even when you are the main owner of the bar.”

  “Say what you will,” Gabe said. “But I am a boss!”

  “Okay, Gabe,” Hayden smiled. “You’re the boss.”

  Gabe rolled his eyes at his sister. He could tell that she was being sarcastic. He was pretty sure there wasn’t a serious bone in the woman’s body. “You can be so annoying sometimes.”