Love after loss

Chapter 1 - The meet

It was a few days after my 21st birthday that I walked into the Roadhouse bar in response to the ad I had seen taped to one of the windows. 

‘Wanted full time bar person with board’

Perfect, I had been in a motel for a week now because as soon as my visa was approved I hoped on a plane from London to Maine without much of a plan.

This seemed like fate may be on my side after all.

I walked up to the bar where a man was putting away clean glasses with his back to me.

“Excuse me, I’m here about the job”

He turned around as if I had startled him. But recovered quickly with a bright smile. He was easily one of the most handsome men I’d ever seen. He must have been late 20s/ early 30s, he was tall about 6ft with thick almost black hair and dark eyes that you couldn’t help but get lost in.

“What’s your name”

“Elle montague” I smiled back shyly

“Do you have experience”

I nodded “I worked in a bar for 3 years while I was in university”

His brows knitted together 

“How old are you”

“21 but I’m from London. Drinking laws are different there”

He nodded returning that billion dollar smile back to his face.

“Okay, you’re hired”

I just stared blankly at him for the briefest of moments

“...that’s it?”

“That’s it”

“No reference checks? no interview? Don’t you even have to check with the manager or something?” 

He chucked. “Elle I’m starting to think you don’t want the job..”

“No I do” I interrupted a little embarrassed 

“Good, my name is Derek Miller, the owner of this fine establishment however if you really want me to check with the manager”

He poked his head through the door that led to the back area

“Hey Garret”

A tall handsome man with dark brown coloured hair and green eyes, about the same age as Derek appeared a moment later

“Garret, this is Elle. Elle, Garret my bar manager”

He turned to Garret with a smirk on his face.

“Hey Garret, Elle wants me to check if it’s okay to hire to her for the job opening”

Garret, clearly confused looked from me to Derek and back again.

I was embarrassed but growing up surrounded by brothers I wasn’t used to holding my tongue.

“You’ve made your point, when do I start”

Garret chuckled softly “You want the room too?”

I nodded and he gestured for me to follow him.

Derek opened the bar hatch for me and as I stepped past him he leaned down so his mouth was close enough that I could feel his breath tickle my ear.

“Welcome to the team Elle”