Chapter 4

FOUR

ANDY

“Y ou’re picking up the bread next time.” I was joking, of course.

“Uh oh, what now?” Julian walked out of his office and leaned against the prep table.

“Mack popped in to talk to Willow about decorating the downtown area.” I set the box with the stollen bread on the table. “And now I’m helping with decorating, too.” Julian burst out laughing. “I’m glad you find that amusing.”

“Mack stopped here last night and tried to rope me into the festivities.” Julian opened the lid of the box. “I told her I was too busy with our events at the bar.”

“What events?” I had no idea what he was talking about.

“You know…”

“So, you lied to her?” I was the one laughing now.

“Well, now that you say it that way.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Does that mean you might have some time available this weekend?” I winked and grabbed the box with the loaf to carry up front to the bar.

“Hey, you.” That voice was familiar. I set the stollen bread on a shelf and turned around. It was my ex’s best friend, Elise. “I was wondering if you were working today.”

“Elise. Hi.” I rested my hand on the bar. She was drinking a cocktail already. “Do you need a refill or anything?”

“Nope, just one for me.” She laughed and took a sip of the drink. “So, how are you?”

“Good.” This was awkward. “You?”

“In the ‘I hate men’ category right now.”

“Oh, and yet, you’re talking to me.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “You’re Andy. It’s different.”

“Um, okay.” I noticed someone at the other end of the bar waiting to order. “It was good to see you.” Now, here I was, the one lying. It sounded nice, though.

“You, too.” Her voice sounded slurred.

I started to walk away but stopped. “Elise, are you safe to drive home?”

“I’m walking home.” She smiled. “Thank you for asking.”

Julian stepped up behind me as I walked away and grabbed my elbow. “Is she driving home?”

“No, walking.”

“Good.” He patted my back.

I loved this town. You could love or hate someone; it didn’t matter, and people stayed neutral and offered help.

The guy at the end of the bar looked like he had one too many, too. He was struggling to stay on his chair and kept mumbling something incoherent. What was happening today? “Can I get you some coffee?”

The guy scowled. “Coffee? In a bar?”

“You might be surprised by how much we serve daily.” I grabbed a rag and some sanitizer, rung it out, and wiped the counter off. “How are you doing today?” The guy looked pissed, but when I asked the question, he paused for a few beats. “Everything okay?”

“You know, you’re the first person who asked me how I’m doing today.” He rested his hands on the wooden surface.

“That can’t be true.” I threw the towel back in the bucket and rested my elbow on the bar.

“It is.” He nodded. Then he just started unloading about his wife, kids, and money for the next several minutes.

This was the reason I liked my job—this random guy.

He walked in here ready to drink his sorrows away, and I came along and asked the right question.

Julian must’ve overheard me ask about coffee because I noticed him start a new pot.

Everyone who worked at Lakeside Pub knew the drill. Grab a mug of coffee if someone looked two sheets to the wind.

I grabbed a mug and filled it with fresh coffee. “Can you offer some to Elise down there?” I pointed to the woman trying to tap something on her phone. She kept tapping violently and then let out an exasperated sigh.

“On it.” Julian nodded.

The guy bent his head and rested his hands on his forehead. I slid the mug under his nose. “What the…” Then he smiled and pulled the coffee closer. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I walked over to where Julian was standing. “Two people right after we opened. Are the holidays already starting to affect people?”

“Yeah, I guess you could say that.” He leaned against the back counter. “I thought you should know.”

“Uh oh, this sounds serious.” I leaned against the counter next to him.

“I called Mack and apologized.”

“Oh, does that mean you’re helping us on Saturday and Sunday?”

“No, because you are.”

“You could get someone else to cover.” I winked. “Or did you create another lie?”

“Suck it.” He pushed off the bar and walked away.

I tried not to laugh, but it was way too much fun. Especially because I had a funny feeling he had a crush on Mackinac.

“Hey.” The guy at the end of the bar had his wallet in one hand and took a drink of his coffee.

“Yeah.” I took a few steps over to him. “You good?”

“I am.” He stood and reached out his hand for me to shake. “I live outside of Traverse City but wanted to go somewhere away from my hometown.”

“Oh, welcome to Crystal Shores.” I smiled.

“They say there are reasons why we choose to do things, and you’re my reason today.” He handed me a twenty-dollar bill. “I needed this cup of coffee.” He set the mug down in between us. “I called my wife, and she’s coming to pick me up.”

“That’s really good.” I grabbed the mug and watched him leave.

“I guess that’s why you didn’t want to leave this tiny town, huh?” Elise leaned her arms on the back of the chair occupied by the guy.

“Why’s that?” I was curious what her answer would be.

“You’re a good man with a big heart. I get it.” She smiled. “Look at how you just helped that guy.”

“Maybe. I hope.” Being a bartender was unique. It wasn’t always about serving alcohol.

“She was an idiot to leave you.” She waved as she left the pub. Her words took me by surprise. That was her best friend she was talking about.

I moved to Crystal Shores to get some distance from my family—not too much, but just enough. I knew it was the best decision I could make, and leaving was never an option.