Shopping was a whirlwind with those two. They were definitely experts. Every time Nicole got on her kick to buy entire stores for Lauren, Lauren did her best to hunt down some sale racks, though they were few and far between.
“Would you stop worrying about that!” Nicole pleaded. “I don’t have anyone to spoil right now. Derek and I are both the only ones left from our families, and we don’t have a little one of our own yet. Kate has banned me from getting her daughter any more presents until her birthday. Please! This makes me happy.”
Reluctantly Lauren answered with a slight roll of her eyes. “Okay, but only a few things. I have to get all of this back to Chicago. Oh Lord, and find somewhere to put it.” She hadn’t thought about her living situation for the past few hours. It was nice to escape from it, but it was also a serious reality that she couldn’t ignore. Maybe she’d jump on an apartment locating site when they got back to the hotel.
“We can put you up in one of the rooms at Derek’s property while you look. It’s where we live while we’re in Chicago. You know the Aqua Hotel on the river, right?”
“HE OWNS THE AQUA HOTEL?” Lauren practically yelled without meaning to. “Sorry.” Looking around, she lowered her voice.
“No, he doesn’t own it. His company has a small percentage. Don’t worry, a room is no big deal,” Nicole explained.
“This is unreal!” Lauren smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t stay there forever, but it was nice to know she wouldn’t go home on Sunday and be homeless.
…
“Zane, buddy… Do me a favor and let me know if that cute blonde comes in again,” Rich requested as he sauntered up to the bar.
Buddy, my ass. Zane thought to himself.
“Oh, and Jennifer called out tonight. Looks like it’s just you,” Rich added. He liked the fact that if that cute thing did come back in, Zane would be too busy covering the bar alone to talk to her.
“Shit, again? Rich, you’ve got to hire more help. This is getting ridiculous.” This was his third double shift in a row, and a Friday night alone was going to kill him. The tips would be nice, if he could stay afloat enough to keep the guests happy. Lauren came to his mind as well. Would they get any time together?
“You’ll do just fine,” Rich said with a yawn. He tapped the bar twice as a goodbye and walked slowly back toward the lobby.
What did Rich know about being tired, Zane thought as he saw him yawn. He wandered around the hotel most of the day. Zane was sure he did things behind the scenes that he wasn’t aware of, but for the most part he was never in a hurry to do anything.
Zane pulled out his phone and looked through his contacts. Maybe another bartender would be willing to come fill in with him tonight. Hoping for the best, he began calling.
…
Loaded up with bags, Lauren felt like she was in that Pretty Woman movie. The women stopped for a late lunch at a swanky restaurant in the middle of a department store. They sat outside on a gorgeous balcony while they sipped wine and laughed together. Yep, Lauren thought, I could definitely get used to this. With that thought, her phone rang. Finally, Cam was returning her call. Smiling at his name on the screen of her phone, she excused herself from the table.
“I’m so glad we brought her,” Nicole smiled to Kate. “She’s one of those people that can really use a break.”
“And I honestly like her, too,” Kate replied.
“I do, too. We should invite her on another trip.”
“Maybe she’ll be more willing if we go to one of your properties. Knowing it’s free might make her worry less,” Kate added.
“Very true. It’s a good quality about her. I like that she’s not comfortable taking advantage of someone,” Nicole said, just as Lauren was walking back over to the table.
“What did your brother say?” Kate asked.
“He was shocked that I was here and especially that I came in a private jet!” Lauren had no idea how much she missed him until she heard his voice.
“Can he come hang out with us?” Nicole asked and truly hoped that he could. Lauren needed the support of her family right now. Nic was willing to do what she could for her, but there’s nothing like family when you need them.
“Did I tell you he’s a cop?” Lauren was pretty sure she had forgotten to mention that.
“Very cool!” Nicole’s eyes lit up.
“He was inspired by New Yorkers during 9/11. That’s what made him choose this city and to become an officer. I was too young when he left to really understand his decision. I just knew my big brother left, and we grew apart.” The thought saddened her. They had barely talked as adults. That needed to change. Maybe this trip would make that happen.
“When do we get to meet this guy?” Kate asked.
“He’s working all weekend, of course, but he’s going to try to get his shift covered tomorrow. He said not to hold my breath though. He can still meet in the morning before his shift starts at noon,” Lauren explained. “I’m so excited to see him again. Can you stand another ‘thank you’?”
“Maybe just one,” Nicole said with a wink.
“More shopping?” Kate asked.
“I’ve got plenty. Can I treat you two to a drink at the lobby bar at the hotel as a thank you?” Lauren hoped it wasn’t obvious that she was scheming to see Zane.
“Would this have something to do with sexy bartender Zane?” Nicole laughed.
Burying her head in hands, Lauren laughed. “It just might.”
“He is cute,” Nicole added.
…
The gods shined down on Zane. It wasn’t busy when Lauren walked in with her two friends. Nicole and Kate, I think? he pondered to himself. Shopping looked good on her; she looked like a million bucks. Any drop of stress he had seen in her eyes was gone. If possible, her smile was brighter, and her eyes looked truly happy. He hadn’t exactly noticed the stress before, until he saw her so completely at peace. What was causing her life tension? He hoped he could help with it. Maybe just listen. That’s what women usually wanted, right?
She was still dressed casually, but this time her look was more tailored. Her fitted dark blue pants and her oversized cream sweater somehow still managed to hug her small curves perfectly. She wore a gorgeous necklace, though usually Zane didn’t notice that type of thing. She looked so put together, and he wanted to slowly peel the outfit off of her. He’d kiss every part of her body during the experience. He shook his head quickly to erase the thought from his mind before his body betrayed him.
Zane smiled as they sat down in the same three bar stools as earlier. Just as he came over to greet them, a large group of people walked into the bar. A bartender herself, Lauren knew exactly what he must have been thinking. Oh shit! He was tending the bar alone, and there had to be almost twenty of them.
As Zane smiled at her with a look of dread behind his eyes, Lauren spoke without thinking. “Did I mention I’m a bartender?”
“You didn’t. Really?”
“If Mr. Manager isn’t around, I’d be happy to jump back there and help you get them all settled,” she smiled.
Zane looked around. Half of the group was walking towards him at the bar, and half began filling up the tables.
“No, it’s really okay.” Zane appreciated the thought, more than she knew.
“Please, I know just how this feels. It’ll make me feel better for calling in to my bar on short notice for this trip. Plus we’ll get to work together.” She gave him a wink.
Nicole spoke up. “Come on, don’t let her see you crash and burn,” she joked. “And I wanna see her in action.”
Hesitantly, he handed her an order sheet and pen. “Grab their orders at the tables; I’ll talk to these guys, and I’ll meet you back here.” What the hell was he thinking? If Rich walked in, he’d be in for it.
Lauren giggled, grabbed her supplies, and was off to talk to the tables. Nicole and Kate were in awe, watching the scene unfold. It wasn’t that often that a guest offered to jump behind the bar. They were both impressed. With every fact they learned about this girl, they liked her more.
Within minutes, Lauren was at home behind the bar. She couldn’t believe how in sync she and Zane were. They both knew the universal bar lingo to help each other. Calling for glasses to be filled with ice and bottles to be pulled from shelves. Zane was surprised how she seemed to know exactly where everything was. When they passed each other in the narrow space, he enjoyed the feeling of their bodies touching slightly. There was something incredibly erotic about them working together. She piled drinks on a tray and chatted with her friends, but didn’t leave out the other guests. In her element, she was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. Her friends’ expressions didn’t go unnoticed by him. They had smirks on their faces and pride in their eyes. Lauren made the three of them another round in the midst of making the other guests’ drinks.
“This is perfect,” Kate said as she sipped her martini. “There’s a bar in the room; we’re going to put you to work in there, too.”
“Please do,” Lauren replied, winking.
After dropping off the drinks, she set the tray on the bar and sat back down next to her friends, handing Zane the order sheet. “Here’s the list, so you can put it in the computer. I told them it all needed to be on one tab. That’ll make it easier.”
“I can’t thank you enough, sweetheart.” There was that electric shock between them as he touched her hand to take the paper.
“Where’s your relief? Someone else has to be coming in on a Friday night,” she asked, concerned.
“Called out again. Don’t you worry about me. Enjoy yourself.”
“It’s only going to get busier.” Lauren stated what she realized Zane already knew.
“I got this, baby.” Zane gave her that crooked smile with wicked thoughts behind it.
“Any chance I could help you out while it’s crazy?” she asked.
“What?” Kate cut in.
“Really, only while it’s super busy. Maybe two hours. I’ll help him with the predinner rush.”
The idea had him a bit out of his element. Zane was not used to the damsel in distress concept, at least not for himself. He was used to being the strong one in the relationship. He helped women; they didn’t help him. Still, it meant time with Lauren.
“Ummm…” Zane interrupted them. “You know Rich will never allow this.”
“How often does he come in while it’s busy?” Lauren raised an eyebrow. “He seems like the type that would avoid working hard.”
“Good point.” Zane twisted his sexy mouth in thought, and Lauren wanted to climb over the bar and kiss him deeply. She wanted to taste his lips. Everyone in the bar needed to disappear except for him. He was all she wanted and needed.
“Have fun, sweetie.” Nicole tugged at Kate’s shoulder. “We’ll go relax before dinner.”
Lauren could tell that Nicole understood. She wanted to be with Zane, even if that meant helping tend bar with him on her vacation.