2. Shane
914 Words
Shane
I was so tired of feeling stressed.
First there’d been the late nights and hard work that had gone into finishing up my Master’s Degree.
Now, I was worried about the fact that I had no job offers and my visa was about to expire.
I’d hoped to stay on in America, eventually meet a woman and fall in love, and work toward my citizenship so I could stay here forever. My friends were here, I loved the country, and, most importantly, there was nothing left for me in Australia.
I kept a pretty tight lid on my emotions, never letting on at work that I was freaking out over my future.
The Lewises were my mates and I didn’t want to burden them with my problems.
“Hey, Shane, how’s it going?”
I moved my gaze from the barroom floor to find Becs, one of the servers, and someone I considered a friend, smiling at me.
“Evenin’, Becs. I’m a bit stuffed, but I’ll get through. How ‘bout you?”
“Can’t complain,” she said, rocking back on her heels like she always did when she was excited. “The blind date I had last night was actually really nice. I think I’ll see him again.”
“You little ripper,” I said jokingly. Becs and I got through many shifts by teasing each other.
It was easy to shake off the worry when I was at work, surrounded by people like Becs and Annabeth, who was the owner and my mate, Gabe’s, mother. They were good people. The best.
I started behind the bar. Something had me looking up over toward the entrance, and I knew what it was when I saw Jazzy standing just inside the door.
I was drawn to her.
Had been since the weekend I’d come home with Gabe in college and he’d introduced me to his feisty red-haired cousin.
That was almost twenty years ago, but I’d never forgotten the way my normally wary heart had skipped a beat when my gaze had first landed on her face.
When I’d decided to move to Cherry Springs for my Masters, I can’t deny that Jasmine Lewis had popped up on the pro side of my pro and con list. When I’d found out she was still single, focused more on her job at Lewis Sporting Goods than men, I was rapt.
Unfortunately, she’d made it clear pretty early on that she had zero interest in me.
Turned out, the only woman I wanted, was the one woman I’d encountered in America who was immune to my charms … and my accent.
Still, I shot her a grin and kept walking until I was in my safe place, behind the bar.
I braced myself and waited for her to come up and grab a seat.
We were friends, or at least friendly. I was mates with her cousins, her brother, and their women, and had always got on with her. It wasn’t her fault that every time I saw her, I had a swelling in my heart and a stiffy in my pants.
She was gorgeous.
All that luscious fiery hair and green eyes would bring the devil himself to his knees.
Add to that she was funny, sarcastic as hell, could pull a mean prank, and was a smart businesswoman able to hold her own in a family full of entrepreneurs.
“What can I get ya, Jazzy?” I asked once she was seated.
“Hey, Shane. Can I get the nachos and a draft?”
“Sure thing,” I replied, moving to put in her order before pulling her beer.
“How’s everything going?” I asked.
Jasmine came in a few times a week at least, usually meeting a friend or family, but lately she’d been in alone. She never seemed upset about it, but that was my girl, independent and strong.
Not to say she didn’t have a temper. She did. But she’d run hot and quickly burn out. Quick with forgiveness and generous to a fault.
“Pretty good. It’s slowing down now that the expansion is underway, which is nice.”
“That’s good. And, Dillon and Laurel? I haven’t seen them in here in a while.”
“They’re good,” Jazzy said, giving me the first genuine smile since she’d entered. “Laurel is due in two months. Dillon keeps trying to get her to slow down, but business is picking up for her. She’s gonna give him gray hair.”
She laughed lightly, always happy to rib her twin, even if he wasn’t around.
“Next time you see them, tell ‘em hey from me, and let Laurel know I’m always available if she needs a back rub.”
Jazzy rolled her eyes, which I loved, and said, “Dillon will love that … so, I’ll definitely pass it along.”
I chuckled and moved to take another customer’s order. When I got to the other end of the bar, Becs was standing there waiting to pick up a drink order.
“What a ya need?” I asked her.
“Two drafts and a Crown and coke,” Becs said, before moving closer to me and adding in a whisper, “She’s the one missing out. You know that, right?”
I’d told Becs about my infatuation with Jazzy a couple months ago after too many shots of tequila.
“Thanks, sweet girl.”
I leaned down and bussed her cheek, then smacked her lightly on the ass and said, “Now get back to work.”
“Yes, sir,” Becs said smartly with a wink before taking her drinks and heading to deliver them to her customer.
I turned to see Jasmine’s eyes narrowed on me before she quickly lowered her gaze and picked up her beer.
Looked like I’d once again managed to fit the image she’d pigeonholed me into decades before … What else is new?
- Writer
