Page 2 of Lucky Break
Celeste’s face—a photo captured from a moment when we were happy—lights up the screen. “I should take this.”
“Yeah.” Tess steps away, her lips pressed together as if she’s holding back from saying more. She probably thinks I’m a fool. I probably am.
“I won’t be too long.”
“I’ll run interference.” She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Before I can ask what’s wrong, she turns her back and walks through the storage room toward the front of the bar. My heart squeezes, missing the calm that surrounds me whenever Tess and I hang out. But the incessant ringing of my phone rattles that peace. Inhaling a fortifying breath, I brace myself before connecting the call and facing what’s sure to be another emotionally exhausting conversation.
2
TESS
Jealously,thick and suffocating, fills my lungs as I turn and leave Callum to answer his phone. But it’s soon replaced with guilt, and if I’m being honest, a little shame too. I have no business feeling anything other than friendship toward Callum. But the thing is… I can’t help how I feel. I’ve tried to ignore it. Fight it. Deny the fact his very presence makes my day automatically better. So, yeah. I’m in love with my best friend. And he can never know. No one can. Because while I can’t stop the feelings I have, I don’t have to act on them.
Not while he’s with her.
And they’re never breaking up. No. They might argue and fight, but they always make up because once Callum O’Neill decides he wants something, nothing gets in his way. It’s why he got on a plane and left his home in Ireland almost a decade ago with nothing more than a hundred bucks and a Gibson to his name. He’s the most loyal, beautiful, talented, and kind man I’ve ever known, and I’m lucky to call him my friend. If that’s all I ever am to him, it’s enough. It’s more than enough. It’s everything.
I head out to the bar and check in with Parker. We don’t always work together, but when we do, the shift goes by quickly and the tips are good. He’s a massive flirt, and we both carry our weight when it comes to the work load. It’s a decent crowd, but in another hour we won’t have a second to breathe.
“Oh no.” Parker shakes his head as I walk behind the bar. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Have you told your face?”
“I don’t smile, Parker. It’s my thing.”
“Scary Spice. Yeah, I know. But you don’t look angry.” He narrows his stare. “Are you sad?” His eyebrows shoot up and he points at me. “Youaresad! Fuck. Are you going to cry? Oh my god, let me get my phone so I can document this momentous occasion!”
“You’re an idiot.” I roll my eyes, then catch a few of our regulars watching our banter as if we’re the entertainment for tonight. Which I hate. Dude, Callum needs to get his ass on stage, and now. I pick up a glass to dry off and put away.
“But I’m not wrong, am I?” Parker comes close. “Wanna talk about it?”
“If I wanted to, it would not be to you, Mr. Chatty Cathy.” I bat my eyes.
He presses a hand to his chest. “I’m practically a licensed professional.”
“You took one psychology class.”
“But my psychic told me I was destined to be a therapist. And I bartend, which is basically the same thing.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I try not to smile, but it’s impossible.
“That’s better.” He grins back and thankfully leaves it at that. “I think we need another bottle of gin before things pick up and we’re almost out of limes. I hate it when the day shift skimps on the prep work.”
“I’ve got it.” I turn around and head back the way I came. I don’t mind, and also I need to see if Lars is still in his office. Maybe I’ll run into Callum. Hopefully he’s not still on the phone.
I step into the walk-in fridge, my skin prickling with goose bumps at the temperature. My push up bra, Twisted Goat black tank, shorts, and fishnets doing nothing to protect against the cold. Collecting the limes in a clear plastic container, I exit before I become a human popsicle.
“There you are!” Lars calls from across the room. Beads of sweat gather at his temple and his cheeks are flushed. He throws his hands in the air, stomping closer. “Where have you been?”
I open my mouth to answer.
“Never mind.” He rushes forward to take the limes from my hands. “I need you on the floor with Ava. You have the section with the booths. Ava can cover high tops.”
“But I’m behind the bar tonight.” There’s no way I’m getting screwed out of tips by waiting tables tonight. The bar gets way better action.
