The Bartender (Seductive Sands Book 5)

  The Bartender

  Sammi Franks

  Contents

  Untitled

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Untitled

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Untitled

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Untitled

  Epilogue

  About Sammi Franks

  Untitled

  The Bartender

  * * *

  Seductive Sands: 5

  * * *

  By

  * * *

  Sammi Franks

  Copyright © 2018 by Sammi Franks

  1st Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever including Internet usage, without written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Cover by Opium House Creatives

  Formatting by: Love Kissed Books

  Created with Vellum

  1

  Bodhi

  * * *

  “Do you have the rings?” Max jabbed me in the side.

  I blinked a few times and then fumbled around in my inside jacket pocket. “Of course, dude. Chill,” I mumbled under my breath.

  His eyes flashed and I knew I’d hit a sore spot.

  Swallowing hard, I forced a smile. “Here, Max. Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility.”

  He clapped me on the back as I passed him the two rings I’d joined together with the first string I could find. Okay, it was surfer cord. I’d been so concerned about losing them and disappointing my big brother that I’d attached the leg cord to my wrist, fed it up my sleeve, and tucked them safely against my heart. No way would I lose them. Unfortunately, I quickly realized my mistake as he snatched them from my hand before he assessed the situation and nearly yanked me off my feet in his eagerness to pass them to the minister.

  When I stumbled as I tried to unhook the cord from my wrist, Max blew out a breath, shook his head and grumbled under his breath, “Bodhi…”

  Behind me, Isla snickered. I knew what she was thinking. Typical Bodhi, fucking up the wedding. I didn’t have to look to know she and Hawk were cuddled together behind me.

  Reluctantly, I glanced at Victoria, hoping I hadn’t pissed her off too. Instead, I found her laughing behind her bouquet. She recovered quickly enough and passed it to Beatrice. “Max, let me help,” she murmured smoothly. Then she reached out and untied the string like a master while Max eyed her with such adoration I had to look away.

  Except when I glanced to the other side, I found Alex taking pictures, recording my blunder for posterity. He grinned and I watched him catch Charlie’s eye as she sat in the second pew beside where he stood. My head hung. We were surrounded by our friends and family. I should be happy. Most of them accepted me for who I was, with my father, who had huffed to my back left, almost the only exception. Still, I struggled today. Usually pretty laid back and happy-go-lucky, I was dragging ass. I was in a funk and I wasn’t entirely sure why.

  After the ceremony ended and we’d finally managed to get into the back of the limo, with me and tater tot tucked in the corner, I stared out the window. We were on our way to the bar for the reception. This was my big chance to show off the place and possibly gain my father’s approval for the first time…maybe only time. And if that didn’t work, tomorrow, when everyone was finally gone and life was back to normal, I could go surfing.

  “A surfer’s cord, Bodhi,” Max groaned as he sank deeper into the seat and shifted to look at me.

  Taking a deep breath, I peeked over at him. “Well, since I haven’t had time to hit the waves lately, this seemed like one way to put my gear to good use. I’ve never lost a board and now I didn’t lose your rings.” I chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood. It worked on everyone but Max.

  “This was a wedding, Bodhi,” he began.

  Victoria reached out and patted my hand. “You did great, Bodhi. I thought it was adorable.”

  I nodded. Adorable. You know what sucks about being adorable? No one takes adorable guys seriously.

  “Seriously, it was a complete Bodhi move.” Isla laughed.

  I couldn’t tell how she meant it, but this whole “being myself” thing wasn’t really working out for me anymore. It was okay when I was satisfied being the single guy. And why wouldn’t I be? My brother was single. My sister was far from interested in any attachments. We were the Three Musketeers. Only now we weren’t. She had Hawk. They were so hot and heavy, I’m surprised they managed to show up at the wedding. They missed the rehearsal dinner last night, showing up an hour late.

  When I glanced at Hawk, he never met my gaze, mostly because he couldn’t take his eyes off my sister. Who could blame him? She was beautiful. I knew how guys saw her because I’d been hearing it for years. The minute puberty kicked in, Max and I were on full alert. Private school guys were dicks.

  Beside me, Max and Victoria were cuddled together, talking in low voices so none of us could hear them. Beatrice and Will were wrapped up in each other. Even tater tot had Thea. I sighed, a little louder than I planned. I stiffened, and glanced about, but the only one who seemed to notice was the driver, who gave me a knowing look.

  Finally, we pulled up in front of Rogers Bar & Brewery. This was the first official event, and the first time we were open. Tomorrow would signal the start of our normal hours. I should be excited, but instead I couldn’t muster any interest, any excitement, even for Max and Victoria, which made me feel like complete shit. That was why I lingered outside for a minute before entering the establishment I’d soon be tasked with running for my super uptight, incredibly judgmental older brother.

  I stretched a few times before turning to the sound of the music wafting from the café next door. It was a nice place. Max had bought us sandwiches from there last week. Mostly, I’d barely noticed the place because I was so freaking eager to please my brother, I’d been coming and going like I had blinders on. Inside, there was a tiny woman gliding around the place. She had long black hair gathered in a low ponytail at the back of her neck, beautiful cheekbones, and remarkably pale skin for someone who seemed to be of Indian descent.

  She caught me staring and came out to greet me. “I’m just closing up,” she announced with a warm smile. “I’m Norah.” She tucked her cloth into her apron and held out a hand.

  When I took it, I was amazed at how soft her skin felt next to mine and how slender her fingers seemed by comparison. “Bodhi,” I managed to blurt out. “I’ll be running the place next door.” I jerked a thumb over my shoulder.

  Norah laughed and it sounded like little tinkling wind chimes. I blinked a few times, convinced this was so strange dream. “Nice to meet you, Bodhi. So, you’re an event venue? That will be fun.”

  I frowned. “Well, tonight’s event is my brother’s reception. Tomorrow, we’ll be a bar.” I shrugged and watched her face fall. “Sorry.”

  “Yeah. I’m sorry too,” she responded crisply as she backed away. “Well, it’s closing time. I have to go.”

  She disappeared in
side the café, leaving me wondering what I’d done to offend her and what it would take to make it right.

  2

  Norah

  * * *

  A bar. Just what I needed.

  I went back into the café, sweeping my long hair over my shoulder and heading into the storage room. The machines had all been washed, the floors swept, the tables scrubbed, the chairs stacked. The registers were cashed out and the windows wiped. All that was left for me to do was inventory. Every Friday, I scheduled inventory. I ordered Chinese food and prepared for a long night of counting and basic math. It was tedious but necessary.

  My parents ran this café before they both retired and moved back to India to take care of my ailing grandmother. Without really asking, they left me to run the place in their absence. I had just graduated college, majoring in literature. My goal was to become a professor and write on the side, not become a small business owner. I didn’t have any idea what I was doing, I didn’t even have employees. This was all on me.

  So, I rolled up my sleeves and figured it all out, thanks to Google, YouTube, and my friends here. I even increased profit by three percent after six months of taking control of the café.

  The building next door had always been vacant. I had been here a year now, and I had seen three businesses come and go - a boutique, an ice cream parlor, and a family restaurant, but never had there been a bar.

  I wasn’t entirely sure why this concerned me. Beer and coffee were two different drinks. Typically, people drank both. However, that did not mean I wasn’t worried about the sort of clientele a bar would attract. Westport was a quiet beach town with a couple of beach bums and some high school kids who sometimes get rowdy during football season. Other than that, our crime rate was low, our town was quiet, and that was the way I liked it.

  A bar, on the other hand... I sighed.

  Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. I knelt down and began my count of the inventory, trying not to let the thoughts in my head mess up my numbers.

  It took me three hours and one Styrofoam carry out box of Chinese food before I finished. By that time, my feet were bare and my hair was pulled up in a quick knot - anything to get it out of my face and away from my neck.

  By the time midnight rolled around and my back screamed from all of the hunching I was doing, it was time for me to go. I threw away my trash, grabbed my purse, and walked out the door, making sure to lock up.

  “Fancy seeing you again.”

  I turned and saw the man from before. Instinctively, I clutched my purse tighter under my arm and turned my body away from him in case I needed to run. I hated that I had to protect myself this way. This could be the nicest man ever, but at midnight, being alone, and having him just hanging outside his bar was weird. And I always adhered to the philosophy of better safe than sorry.

  “Hello.” I made sure to keep my eyes on him. I probably came off as standoffish, perhaps a bit calculating. I didn’t care. I would rather come across like a bitch than a victim.

  “Nice night.”

  I pressed my lips together and nodded my head. I pocketed my keys in my magenta trench coat and turned away from him. Probably not the smartest thing to do if he was going to attack me, but I didn’t want to linger longer than I had to. Although, judging from the loud chatter and laughter coming from the bar, at least I had witnesses.

  “I’m sorry.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, his long dark hair falling in his face. He reeked of surfer. “I’m just trying…”

  “What are you doing?” I asked. I shook my head. “Look, I’m not trying to be abrasive. It’s midnight and I’m trying to go home. I’ve had a long day.” My eyes flitted over to the bar. “I’m sure you understand.”

  He nodded. The wind ruffled his hair and I found myself staring as the dark locks swayed against his skin. “You had no problem talking to me before,” he said. His voice wasn’t accusing, exactly, but it was tight. “When you found out I ran this bar, you got distant. Why?”

  “A woman isn’t allowed to change her mind?” I asked, shifting my weight. “Instead of worrying about me and what I think of you, perhaps you should go back inside with your family. I’m sure they’ll wonder where you’ve run off to.”

  Bodhi snorted. “Then you don’t know my family,” he said, picking his eyes up and locking them with mine.

  “Are you out here sulking?” I shouldn’t have asked. Quite frankly, it was none of my business and I didn’t particularly care. I just could not tolerate poor rich kids feeling sorry for themselves as a way to attract a woman. Granted, I could be reading the situation wrong, but I didn’t think so. “You have your friends and family here at your bar celebrating something as joyous as a wedding and yet, you’re out here, talking to a stranger. I just finished a very long day. You’re a business owner, I’m sure you’ll understand sometime soon.”

  “Did I do something to offend you?” he asked me.

  I sighed. I really didn’t have time for this. I glanced over at my lonely car on the vacant street. It was calling to me, begging me to start it up so we could go home. “Honestly, no,” I told him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Look. I’m sorry. I’ve had a stressful day and that’s not your fault. Good luck with your bar and…” I glanced back at the bar, still bustling with activity. “That.”

  There was a pause and then I felt it was safe to turn and make my way to my car.

  “I’ll see you around then,” he called after me.

  I didn’t turn around. I didn’t agree. I kept my mouth shut and slid into my car. I buckled up, turned on the car, and sped off without looking back.

  3

  Bodhi

  * * *

  I watched Norah rush off. Leaning up against the building, I stared up at the sky. For the last half hour, I’d been out here, trying to get away from all the happiness, the love, and the noise. This wasn’t for me. Lately, that kind of thing really bothered me. Then I’d seen Norah working. She was eating Chinese food while doing paperwork. I’d seen the little piece of Lo Mein slap her in the chin while she took a bite. I stared in fascination at how she’d set down her fork and her pen to dab at her face with the napkin. She was a lady. I liked that. I’d been surrounded by ladies my whole life. There were pros and cons though.

  For example, they tended to be sweet and demure. Pro. Ah, but the pro was also the con because I liked my beach chicks too. I loved watching them ride the waves, loved their relaxed personalities, basked in their mellow vibe. After a lifetime of living in a mansion and dealing with so many dark, tense people, the beach had become my chosen home. I could finally become the guy I wanted to be, not some stiff in a suit. No wonder they all seemed so unhappy. And thanks to Max, I could indulge in my hobby while making a decent living…as long as the bar didn’t tank.

  Too tired to continue pretending, I called for a cab. Since it was the same guy I’d seen multiple times I finally asked. “Are you the only cabby around here?”

  He smirked. “You picked right up on that. Yeah. Although sometimes my brother steps in if I go on vacation or something.”

  “Cool, man.” I nodded as I leaned back in the seat.

  “You give up surfing for business?” he asked as he gestured to my suit.

  I shook my head. “Wedding. I plan to hit the waves again soon.”

  “Huh.” He nodded a few times.

  With a frown, I wondered what he was thinking. Now that we’d broken the ice, I didn’t have to wait long.

  “Oh, I thought you quit. You no longer smell like a day at the beach” He turned into my condo complex and as he stopped, I passed him some money.

  “Keep the change.” I stepped out of the cab, but I couldn’t help but think about what he’d said ten minutes later as I stripped down to my boxers and flopped on the couch.

  Glancing around the room, I realized that the place was actually clean, evidence of how little time I’d spent here lately. I’d been eating out so the kitchen was practically immaculate. I thought abo
ut the rest of the condo. All my dirty clothes were in my hamper. The bed was made…since I usually passed out on the couch. The bathroom could use some attention, but what bathroom couldn’t? I was practically an adult. Then my eyes flitted over to my board, leaning up against the wall near the door, like it was just waiting for me to decide to take it for a ride.

  I sighed. Maybe that was just what I needed: a break from adulting. Then I set the alarm on my phone so I’d wake up early and catch the morning waves.

  By eight the next day, the sun was moving up the sky, while I was paddling away from the shore. Instantly, I felt more like myself. Around eleven, I decided to go back to my place to clean up and get over to the bar to get ready for our first night. This was less like me, but I was determined to make it work.

  I’d bought a small truck about a week ago. Nothing fancy, but I needed something to get me back and forth to the best surf spots, the condo, and the bar. I parked it behind the bar, walked around to the front and paused.

  Norah was outside sweeping and cursing under her breath. There were piles of rice everywhere.

  “Wow, did you drop a bag or something?” I frowned as I came closer.