Autum's Lost (A letting go series) (26 page)

“Yeah. I think we’re all set. Orders are placed and should be here by the end of the week. I’ve already bought the station and booth to set up. The ones the city offers are shit. This one I had made is freaking pimp. The booth has mostly gray stones with a few turquoise stones for the base and a glass top. The base of it is similar to the one in here, but in reverse. Very classy, if I do say so myself.” I laugh.

“Fucking-A!” Kole laughs in return. “You’re station is always the best. Plus it’s just so much freaking fun. The whole staff coming together and having a great time. I can’t wait.”

“Me either. It’s one of my favorite times all year.” I smile at him, then watch as he hops off the counter and heads to the back to put his things away. He’s dressed in the outfit that all my bartenders wear. The dress code for the bartenders is black slacks, black shoes, black belt, and a black button up shirt. And
Kole wears it nicely. The wait staff wear black slacks as well, but with a white button up shirt. I’m the only one who usually wears color. And Nikko just wears what he wants which is usually a suit or all black, so it works.

Kole
is about 5’10” with a nice body. He’s lean, but muscular. Blonde styled hair a few inches long and nice blue eyes. He encapsulates the stereotypical California surfer boy.  I’ll admit I expect a certain “look” of my employees. It’s not that I want to surround myself with beautiful people, but I want my place to be somewhat stylish. And to achieve that, I believe, the staff should look a certain way.

I head to the bathroom as
Kole comes back out and check myself in the mirror to make sure I’m presentable. I smooth down my wide leg black slacks paired with my ice blue silk blouse. My shoes are always the seller of my outfits. I
love
shoes. Today I wore my Christian Louboutin glitter and spike pumps. My chestnut hair hangs in its usual loose curls more than halfway down my back. I’m about 5’5” with a decent body. I work out a lot and my body shows it. I look at my face to make sure my makeup is in place. Thick lashes- thank you Revlon- that make my green eyes stand out. I apply some more lip gloss to my full lips and head out.

I head back out and open the doors. I usually don’t employ a waitress until about four o’clock when we start to get busy. Until then the bartender, Nikko and I usually handle it. On Saturday’s I usually have a waitress all day.
Friday and Saturday nights there is usually a need for three waitresses and two bartenders. Weeknights I can usually get by with one bartender and two waitresses. But it’s always changing, depending on the season, and whether or not we’re busy.

***

It’s about four thirty and we’ve been pretty steady with business so far. In addition to booze we also serve the usual bar food: fries, chicken strips, grilled chicken sandwiches, onion rings, cheese balls, etcetera- basically anything that can be fried in the fryer in the back. So we get a good lunch crowd.

I’m wrapping up with putting away the receipts in my office and head out front to mingle until I head home. I walk over to the bar and ask Kole, “Got everything together okay?”

“Yep. Should be good until Rory comes in to take over. You need help with anything?”

My response is cut off when the doors open and in walks the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. My breath is literally gone. A man about 6’4” with a body to kill. He’s got shoulder length dark, blonde hair; unbelievably broad shoulders, small waist and long legs. His beautiful body is showcased in a gorgeous Gucci gray suit and pale blue silk tie. His face- sweet baby Jesus, his face! - is what stole my breath. It is absolutely striking; pulling your full attention to the point where everything else just fades away. He has high cheekbones, full pink lips, strong, straight jaw peppered with stubble, perfect brow and amazing-
amazing!
- blue eyes. He surveys the space then looks at the bar and makes eye contact with me.
Fuck. I believe I am screwed.
His eyes widen slightly, then he pulls those beautiful lips into a sexy smirk. He looks absolutely predatorial as he saunters up to the bar. A warning goes off in my head.
Alert! Evacuate!

He takes a seat at the bar all the while maintaining eye contact with me. “Hello. Can I get a scotch, neat?” My whole body tingles and I feel myself get wet at the sound of his deep voice. My groin starts to throb and my nipples pucker.
Fuck! Get a grip Harper!
Kole starts to make the Adonis’s drink. I finally manage to look away just as Bane comes over to me and sits at my feet. He’s been laying in the corner all day as he usually does; when five o’clock hits he begins to follow me around and stays glued to me as he knows it’s about time to leave.

“Shit, I didn’t know they allowed ponies in bars anymore.” My Adonis comments as he notices Bane and smiles so sexily I feel my legs get weak. Yes, I know.
My
Adonis.
Get a grip, Harper.

I reach down and rub Bane’s head. “That’s me: a rule breaker.” I smile in return.
Okay. Time to stop. You’re pulling out your flirty smile. This is a customer. Albeit an amazingly sexy one, but NO.
I enter back into professional mode. ”Have a good day. Kole, call if you need anything. C’mon Bane.” I snap my fingers to get Bane to follow.

“Wait.” Adonis says. I turn around and look at him. “I didn’t get your name or number.” He says expectantly. Wow. He really must never have to work at it.

“Okay.” I say like I’m confused by what he was insinuating and turn and walk towards the door where Nikko is waiting. He comes running over towards me and stands in my path towering over me. God, he smells amazing. Clean and fresh like his soap and a hint of his Armani cologne.

“So, may I have them?” he asks.

I look up at him and reply simply with a small twitch of my lip, “No.” I walk around him and out the door.

Nikko is smirking at me as we get in the car. “Don’t even, mister,” I warn him.

“I wasn’t gonna say a thing, Harper.” He replies smiling from ear to ear. He saw me checking out the Adonis and knows I was completely taken with him.

“Jackass.” I mumble.

He busts out laughing.

To my Hubby, thank you for taking care of my wonky leg, thank you for cooking, mowing the yard, cleaning the cat boxes, being my cheerleader for my crazy dream, listening to my rants that are about nothing, cuddling, being a great papa, arguing with me, letting me cry, keeping your cool while I am in the bat cave every night.

But mostly for never giving up on us. I love you.

To my Daughter, you are our little miracle pumpkin. You have your Dad’s sense of humor and my laug
h
I have watched you grow into a beautiful young lady with a huge heart. When you love something it’s with all your heart and unfortunately it breaks just as hard. Remember to always stand up for yourself and what you believe in, never let anyone put you down. Tweet, Tweet baby girl.

Mom & Dad, I know I am your problem child, but I am grateful for everything you have done for me throughout my life. You give everything to your children and more. The fact that you have raised four kids without killing any of us should be on a poster somewhere. I love you guys the
mostest, even more than fried lam
b


To my La
La’s, you make inspiration happen every day. With the no holds bar topics of discussion and very inspiring pictures. Waking up to 57+ status updates makes my mornings.

Bevy &
Nasamtha, the friendship and love that you have shown me goes beyond the sea. To say you have inspired me to do this is an understatement. I am very lucky to have both of you in my life. I love you both like sisters.

Jessica, I have loved you forever and a day. I have watched you grow and it has been a blessing. Your success has just started my dear and watching it from the front row is amazing.

P.J, you read my shit and make it better. You get my crap typing skills and weirdness. You make me look good on video and give me Jell-Olog
s
Love you!

Ami, seriously where did you come from? I wish I had you as a teacher in high school. But you probably would have failed me I was there for the social aspect not the learning. Looking at my hot mess manuscript and not laughing your ass off I don’t know how you did it! But you did, and I am grateful for it. Thanks a million!!

Tina, you have been through the shit with me and still put up with my bitchiness every day. You should throat punch me but you don’t and I appreciate that. We are and will be the old cat ladies that people don’t mess with because they are afraid too (for good reason). I love you and your kids and its’ never a dull moment when we are together. Love you girly!

Heather & Jodie, I have known you both for over 20 years!! Holy shit I feel old now. I love the fact that no matter how long we have been apart only talking a few minutes with you makes it feel like yesterday. We have kids, jobs, bills but our friendship has remained. I will love you both forever.

C.J the fact that you gave me a shot at this still amazes me. Hopefully people buy the book and you won’t have to hide your head in shame. Thank you for taking a chance on me.

Mel, Kia-Lin, Sally and Deana thank you for reading my book unedited. I’m sure you were cringing but you survived and I love you guys for that. Hopefully you will be ready for book two in a few months.

Derik, Amber,
Allicia, Quinn, Josh, Larry, Hayley, Jesse Lee. You guys have my heart and I love all of you. The crazy jokes, being pissed at each other and kidding around is what makes us have each other’s back.

La
Famiglia

Chris, Jerry, Robyn, Jerry Wayne, Olin, Linnea, Chad, Meg, Ellie & Josie. Having this second family is amazing and the love you share goes beyond words. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

This book exists because I was sick of feeling like I’m good enough for ‘A’ but don’t even think that you are for ‘B’. I would go with the flow just so someone wouldn’t get pissed. I was always the funny girl but never the hot girl. This is for all the women that are never up to status’s quo, either it be their weight, hair, clothes, cars, homes. From the bottom of my heart I love you! Be yourself and stand up for what you believe in. If you keep thinking that you are beneath someone you are wrong, take a deep breath and say fuck you! I got this shit handled.

Further Acknowledgements:

Music: Sara Evans, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, The Lumineers, One Direction, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Adel, Toby Keith, Conway Twitty

Cars: Cadillac, Acura, Toyota, Mercedes Benz

Beer: New Glarus Spotted Cow

Motorcycles: Harley Davidson

Food: Doritos

Electronics: iPhone, iPod

Clothing: Armani, Under Armour

Leia is from Iowa where she resides with her Husband of 16 years and beautiful 11 year old daughter. She has a spoiled yellow lab and 2 old grouchy cats. She loves to swim and ride bikes, both of the motor and pedal version. She is an avid fisherwoman and gardener.

If you would like to get ahold of Leia here is her email.
[email protected]

She is also on Facebook,
Goodreads and Twitter.

www.facebook.com/leiamadison

www.goodreads.com/leiamadison

Twitter: @
madison_leia