Rascal (Rascals Book 1)(34)

No one would have ever known that twelve hours previously we had no clean glasses, dust-covered chairs, and a front door that wouldn’t stop squeaking. Thankfully, with the help and ingenuity of a great group of friends, it looked like everything was going to work out.

“There’s a line around the block,” Chase told us, coming into the bar.

It wasn’t enough to completely dissolve my nervousness, but it sure helped.

“We did it.” I looked around at my four best friends, overflowing with pride.

It was actually happening. The thing that we had worked so hard on for so long was finally coming to fruition. We had done what we said we would do, and we did it together. None of us could stop smiling—even Dante wore a rare grin as we stood in our empty bar, ready to open it to the public for the first time.

“This calls for a drink,” Liam said, pulling out a bottle of very expensive whiskey that he had apparently hidden behind the bar.

“Nice!” Chase—ever the booze snob—took the bottle from Liam and nearly poured us each a glass.

“To Rascals.” I raised my glass.

“To Rascals,” the guys echoed.

We clinked glasses and drank.

“What are we waiting for?” Chase asked, gathering our empty glasses. “Let’s get this night started!”



Two hours later, the bar was filled to capacity and there were still a line of people waiting to get in. Our wait staff was on fire, keeping everyone’s drink filled and clearing tables within seconds. Chase was behind the bar, flirting up a storm and making more drinks than I ever thought possible. The other bartenders were keeping up, but Chase was obviously in his element. I had never seen him happier.

The other guys were also doing what they did best. Sawyer was talking to a reporter about the construction of the bar—probably nerding out over all the little details that no one else had noticed. Liam was holding court in the middle of the room, charming our female guests. And Dante. Well, Dante was in the corner drinking whiskey. But he was still smiling.

All of us were. It was a good night, for sure.

“Take a break,” Chase told me when I headed to the bar to check on him for the fourth time. “Everything is fine. Have some fun. We’ll come get you if we need you.”

I knew he was right. Everything was running smoothly, and I wasn’t being helpful by hovering around our employees. So I got a pint of Chase’s latest IPA and began weaving through the crowd, eavesdropping on conversations about the bar, and hearing only good things.

Then I spotted a familiar face in the sea of strangers. Hayley.

“You came!” I greeted my sister with a big hug.

“Of course I came.” She smacked me on the arm. “Did you think I’d miss this? Your big night!” She looked around. “Also, I knew there would be tons of hot guys here. And I was right.”

I made a face at her.

“What?” She put her hands on her hips. “You and your friends might think I’m just a little kid, but I’m a fully grown woman with needs of her own.”

“Stop it!” I put my hand over her mouth. “I refuse to listen to this. You’re ten years old and will always be ten years old in my mind.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Hayley laughed.

But my attention had been drawn elsewhere.

Alex had just entered the bar.

And she looked drop-dead gorgeous.

It was the same little black dress she had worn for her work party, but there were none of the stuffy, law office trappings tonight. Her beautiful hair was down, cascading in soft, shimmering curls around her shoulders. Hair I wanted to get my hands in and run my fingers through as I kissed her.

She wasn’t wearing much jewelry, save for a pair of sparkly earrings to go with the knockout heels she had on, but she didn’t need it. Just looking at her shapely legs in those killer shoes made me hard. And I couldn’t help but notice that the dress seemed to be one of those wrap-type dresses, which meant that all that stood between me and her almost naked body was a single bow tied at her waist. My fingers itched to undo it.

But that would have to wait.

“Stop staring and go talk to her.” My sister’s voice pulled me out of my explicit daydreams.

“That obvious?” I asked sheepishly.

Hayley grinned and reached up, pretending to wipe my chin. “You’re drooling.”

I batted her hand away as

Alex glanced over and saw me. Her smile practically lit up the room.

I wanted her. I wanted her bad.

Unable to stay away, I crossed the room towards her. When I reached her, she grabbed my hand, and without a word, pulled me behind the bar and into the hallway, where it was quieter.

“I just wanted to congratulate you in private,” Alex told me. “Everything looks amazing. You should be proud.”

I felt suddenly bashful. My family had never been big on praise, so I was unused to receiving it. And hearing it from Alex meant more than I could have ever expected.

“Thank you,” I told her, ducking my head to kiss her.

I had to be careful to keep it light and sweet, because I knew from experience if I didn’t, things would escalate very quickly. And while I hoped that tonight would be the night, I knew it wasn’t time. Not yet.

“Is it everything you ever expected?” Alex asked, looking back to the party.