Glass Hearts (11 page)

I walk into the bar trying to adjust to the darkness. They keep the lights dim to showcase the bright, colorful strobes around the room, but it’s a harsh contradiction to the bright sun outside. I nervously twist my watch on my wrist as I glance around the room. The manager never told me where to meet him, so I walk over to the bar to say hi to Jay and Dane, hoping they can point me in the right direction.

Dane stops talking when he sees me walking toward him, his lips turning up at the sides. He wastes no time before walking around the bar towards me, looking delicious in his tight black Loft 10 t-shirt and blue jeans, which he paired with black chucks. In fact, looking at him now, I’m not so sure why he’s so concerned about me working here; I’m the one who should be concerned.

My body tingles all over when he stops in front of me, wrapping both arms around my neck. “Did you miss me, baby?” he asks before softly kissing my forehead. He pulls back and stares at my lips like he can’t wait to taste them.

“Behave, I’m here for my interview,” I reply, pulling back slightly. I don’t need his boss, my potential boss, to walk in on our love fest. I would love to stay warm and snug in his arms all night, but I need this job. The more I think about it, the more I want it. I never thought the prospect of having a job would excite me this much, but it does. I’m going to be one of those crazy people who frame their first dollar and hang it on the wall…okay, probably not, but I’m really that excited.

“So, there’s nothing I can do to change your mind?” he scowls, moving his strong hands to my hips. He’s been trying to talk me out of working here since I applied a few days ago, but it’s not working. He’s been supporting both of us, but now he’s helping foot the bill for Nolan’s rehab, and I can’t let him support me too. I need to prove to myself that I can be on my own.

“Dane Wright, I’m here for a job interview. Now, where’s the manager?” I ask, throwing him a warning look. He wiggles his eyebrows, trying to shorten the distance between our bodies again. I quickly cross my arms over my chest and take a step back.

He starts to laugh at my attempt to put him in his place and keep him at arms length as a very tall, very attractive man with short dark hair walks out of the back room. I notice his eyes first. They’re blue but very dark: almost black. His facial expression screams, “Don’t fuck with me” as he walks in our direction, focusing his eyes on me. He’s not classically handsome, but he has a rough, dark look that makes it hard to keep your eyes off him. The way he stands and walks commands the attention of everyone in the room. His expensive Armani suit is doing great things for him, but he has nothing on Dane. I’ve never met a guy who can stand next to Dane and draw a woman’s attention away.

“Dane, are you harassing this lady?” the mystery man asks, keeping his eyes glued to me. He’s making me feel like the queen on a chessboard the way his dark eyes remain on me, unblinking.

Dane grimaces, turning immediately to face the guy in the suit. “No, this is my girlfriend, Alex. She’s here for an interview.”

“So you’re my interview. I don’t usually do them myself, but my manager is out sick today. I’m Reid Murphy, I own the place,” he says, offering his hand to me. I catch a glimpse of Dane out of the corner of my eye. His jaw is clenched, and his eyes are focused on the lights above. He’s not amused, and I bet if he knew he could get away with it, he’d put me over his shoulder and carry me right out of here.

“Nice to meet you.” I reach my hand to meet Reid’s. I don’t know who I was expecting, but the guy standing before me definitely isn’t it. He’s so young and screams money.

“Follow me,” he says, motioning toward the office door he just came out of. The somersaults that ended in my stomach while I had Dane’s comforting body against mine are back again and, this time, they are working overtime. I nod and follow him, not taking a second glance back at Dane, but I can feel his eyes on my back.

Reid’s office is decorated differently than the rest of the bar. It’s sleek and contemporary with dark mahogany furniture and light grey walls adorned with colorful paintings. I can usually tell a lot about a person by the art they choose to display. His art is very bold and unique. Memorable, to say the least. I take him as a man who likes to be noticed; he definitely likes attention.

The floors are covered in hard woods, but a large white shag rug sits in the center of the room under two black leather chairs. “Don’t be shy. Have a seat,” he says, motioning toward them. I don’t feel comfortable in what I’m wearing anymore. He’s wearing freaking Armani in a college bar for god sakes.

“So, Alex, tell me a little bit about yourself.” He sits back in his chair, crossing one of his feet over his knee. The intensity in his eyes throws me off center, and I have to work to regain my composure.

I take a deep breath and clear my throat. “Well, I grew up in Connecticut. I’m currently a student at NYU, studying Art and consider myself to be a hard worker.” Crap. I’m blabbering.

“What part of Connecticut did you grow up in?” he asks, twirling a pen in his hand.

“Greenwich,” I say, softly. Here comes the part where he asks what the hell I’m doing here. He squints his eyes at me, and I swallow hard. Maybe I should just leave and tell him I don’t think this is the right place for me. I’d rather walk away than listen to him go over all the reasons I won’t be getting this job; I’ve heard those enough already.

“Really, I knew someone from there once,” he says, throwing his pen on his desk. I stare at him, not sure what I’m supposed to say to that. I don’t want to go through a whole list of people he knows, and who I’m more than likely trying to forget. “Anyway, tell me a little bit about your experience.”

“Well, I’ve never worked in a bar before, but I’m a quick learner, and I’ve helped at charity fundraisers, so I know a thing or two about service.” He stares at me, but doesn’t say anything; the silence is making me extremely uneasy. “I won’t let you down,” I add, trying to ease the tension in the room.

“What did you say your last name was again?” he asks, leaning forward with his elbows on his desk.

“I didn’t,” I reply, fidgeting with my hands.

“What is it? I don’t have your application in front of me.” “It’s Riley, Alexandra Riley,” I say. His face turns an ashen shade and he looks away from me. For a second, I wonder if he’s met my mother. Anyone who’s met her, but doesn’t need to keep up appearances, would probably have this same reaction.

He stands, walking toward the window. “When can you start?”

“You’re hiring me?” I ask. I’m almost shocked right out of my seat. I was bracing for the worst after the reaction I just got.

“I guess I am. You can start tomorrow night. It’s a Saturday and the place will be packed. I’ll make sure David has a shirt for you.” He keeps his focus out the window, not looking in my direction once.

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I say, getting up from my seat. A part of me wants to run out of here as fast as I can, but the way he reacted when I told him my last name has me curious. Placing my hand on the doorknob, I look back to see his forehead resting on the glass. “Is everything okay?” I ask.

He startles. “Why are you still here? I said you have the job.”

“It’s just…you don’t look so good, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

He turns around, running his hands over his face. “I’m sorry, you remind me of someone, that’s all,” he sighs. From the light of the window, I can see that he looks even younger than I originally thought. He can’t be older than thirty, but he has frown marks around his mouth that hint he’s been through a lot. “Are you going to go, or are you just going to stare at me all day?”

“Sorry.” I exit the office and quickly walk toward the bar before Reid changes his mind and calls me back. It seemed too easy, but I, Alexandra Riley, have my first job. I have no idea what I’m getting paid, or exactly how many hours I’ll be working, but I have a job.

It’s still early, so the place is empty with the exception of two guys sitting at the bar and a few staff mulling around. Jay’s behind the bar, but Dane is nowhere to be found. “Hey Jay, where’s Dane?”

“He’s in the back getting some more glasses. How was your interview?” he asks, showing off his dimples.

“Interesting,” I say, jumping up onto a barstool.

“How about I make you a drink and you can tell me all about it?”

“No, thanks. I’ll take a water though.” He quirks an eyebrow up at me as he grabs a glass and starts filling it with ice. “I’m not pregnant, Jay. Don’t even go there.”

I feel big strong arms wrap around me from behind. “Why are you telling Jay you’re not pregnant?” Dane whispers in my ear.

I wrap my fingers around his tattooed forearms, pulling him closer to me. “Mr. Nosy over there is drawing conclusions because I ordered a water.”

Dane laughs. “Good, I’m not quite ready for that yet. Let’s try to get out of college first. How did your interview go?” He turns my stool around so that I’m facing him and steps between my parted legs. The smell of his cologne combined with his proximity to my body makes it hard to concentrate. “Earth to Alex.”

“Yeah, um, sorry. It went really well. I start tomorrow night,” I smile.

He leans forward, resting his hands on either side of me on the bar. “I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to like it. It’s a job, and it’s the only one I can get right now. Plus, I’ll be working with you,” I wink. He doesn’t look amused.

“I told you, I can take care of you for a little while. You can keep looking until something else comes along,” he whispers between us.

“Dane, please. I need to do this for myself.”

“Just be careful, and if anyone gives you a hard time, you come to me,” he says, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

“It will be great having my own personal bodyguard at work. By the way, what’s up with your boss? He got really weird during my interview.” I’ve never seen someone’s mood fluctuate as much in a ten minute time period as Reid Murphy’s did.

“What do you mean?” he asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

“He asked where I was from and when I told him my last name, he pretty much ended the interview and said I had the job,” I reply, wiggling back and forth on my barstool.

“Maybe he knows your mom,” he smiles.

I smack him on the arm. “That’s not funny, but the thought did cross my mind.”

“The good news is he’s not here very often. The bad news is, when he is here, he’s pretty moody. It’s best to ignore the crazy fuck. He probably just wants to get in the pants of the most beautiful woman in New York City,” he says, whispering the last part so only I can hear it. I reach up to give him a quick kiss on the lips, but he grabs my face in his hands and begins to work his lips over mine. I completely forget where we are when I fist his shirt and press as close to him as I can. Our mouths move like they were meant for this…meant for each other.

“Wright, get your ass to work right now!” I hear someone yell from the corner of the room. I look up to see Reid staring at us. His suit jacket is off, and his shirt is partially unbuttoned, but my eyes quickly lock on an ice pack wrapped around his hand.

“Are you okay?” I ask, pointing to his hand.

“What?” he asks, looking down at his injured hand. “Oh, that. It’s nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow night, Ms. Riley, and Mr. Wright, you’re on the clock. Act like it.” He walks out of the room, slamming his office door behind him.

“Asshole,” Dane curses under his breath. “I better get back to work, baby. I’ll see you when I get home.”

“Okay, see you later.”

“Be careful. I want you in one piece under my sheets when I get home,” he says, quickly brushing his lips over mine. I finish my water and walk out of the bar a huge smile on my face. I’m employed, and I still get to spend my evenings with Dane.

The sun is just starting to set as I step outside. The suits and briefcases have disappeared, replaced by casually dressed people ready for a night on the town. Horns honk almost constantly as cars try to weave in and out of traffic and a mixture of music fills the otherwise quiet night. I love the city sounds, but after our trip to the country last week I realize I enjoy some calm and quiet too. Maybe we can take a weekend trip to the city sometime soon, I think as I approach our apartment building. But then I remember who we are, we’re broke college students who work in a bar. I think back to all the trips I took with my parents and realize I would rather live every day with Dane in our small, cramped apartment in the city than travel the world.

By the time I reach the apartment, my clothes are clinging to my body from the warm, humid summer air. I jump in the shower quick and throw on some cotton shorts and a camisole top before sitting on the couch with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. It would be nice if Dane could join the party too, but someone has to pay the rent.

I turn on Pretty Woman, and I’m three bites into my ice cream when my phone starts to ring. I’m tempted to let it go to voicemail, but then I think of Jade and how many times I call her for random things late at night.

“Hello,” I say, setting my ice cream on the coffee table.

“Hi, Alex. I hope it’s not too late, but I’ve been working late at the hospital, and this seems to be the only time I can call anyone.” Gwen. I haven’t seen her since the art show, but we talk at least once a week. She doesn’t mention my parents, and I don’t ask about them. I’m sure they don’t ask about me, either.

“Hey, how are you?” I ask, curling myself up in the corner of the couch.

“I’m okay, I guess.” I can hear her voice trembling. Something is wrong.

I sit up straight. “Hey, what’s the matter?” I ask, pulling the receiver closer to my ear.

“I think Phillip’s cheating on me,” she cries into the phone. My heart breaks for her. They’ve only been married for a few months and her fairy tale is already crumbling. I think she went into it expecting the perfect life. Instead, they’re just two people who are trying to live the perfect life, but don’t feel connected to each other. Expectations can’t bind two people together forever.

If I had to guess, I’d say Phillip was cheating before they got married. It’s what men in his family do. His mom has put up with it for years, but I don’t think Gwen is looking to fall into those footsteps. I know she’s stronger than that.