anyone,” Jasper argues, but stops when Jameson holds up his hand.
“I’m here, but I don’t feel like I contribute as much as you guys do. Isaac practically runs the entire back end of the business, working seven days a week. Jasper, you take care of the restaurant, also working seven days a week, and Walker has this side. I know I help keep order on the weekends and play some music, but I really think I can do this. No, I want to do this. I need to do it.”
Isaac sits back and takes in our friend. “Well, if you want to oversee the setup and day-to-day of the brewery, I don’t have a problem with it.” I can physically see Jameson relax at those words. “And for the record, I don’t work seven days a week. I was off Saturday night,” he counters, clearing his throat and shuffling his papers.
“That’s right. Babysitting duty,” Jasper teases with a laugh.
“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” Isaac quickly replies, cutting a glance my way, an unspoken message written in his eyes.
“And I’d like to add no one here feels like you don’t contribute or pull your weight. You do just as much as the rest of us, but your duties are pulled in all sorts of directions. I may focus on the bar, but you’re a big part of that. Not only do you help me, but you help Jasper and Isaac. Cut yourself some slack, Jame. You do more than you realize.”
“Agreed. I have a meeting scheduled for four,” Isaac adds, glancing across to Jameson. “It’s with the realtor. Wanna go with me to check out the property?”
“Hell yeah,” he replies, a wide grin over his scruffy face.
“Good.” Isaac moves on to talk about a few more issues before wrapping up today’s meeting.
Jameson and Jasper head off to the kitchen, and when Isaac gets ready to take off to his office, I reach out and grab his forearm. “Hey, got a quick second?”
“Sure.”
“It’s about the babysitting duty,” I say.
He instantly smiles. “Not a problem. It was fun. She’s a great kid,” he replies.
“She is,” I agree, shoving my hands into my pockets and rocking back on my heels. “I was kinda hoping you wouldn’t mind doing it again.”
Isaac arches and eyebrow in question.
“Tomorrow night.”
Isaac blows out a breath. “Tomorrow? Yeah, I guess I could help out. What’s up?”
Nerves flutter in my stomach, which is something that’s never happened before. “I want to take her out on a real date, and tomorrow’s my night off.”
“Okay, sounds good. Just shoot me a text on what time.”
“Thanks, man. I owe ya.”
Isaac glances over my shoulder and smiles. “I’ll let you pick me as best man for the wedding.”
I turn around and find Mallory there, waiting on a table, yet stealing glances my way. “I’m not so sure about that,” I tell him, but even I know I’m full of shit.
“If you say so,” he teases, slapping me on the shoulder and retreating to his office.
Before I can make a break for my own office, Jameson joins me in the middle of the bar. “You wanna head over with us at four? Jasper’s in.”
My eyes seek her out once more, all on their own. She’s laughing at something the group of women says, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail with a few escaped locks hanging around her ears. “Count me in, as long as Jillian can stay a little longer.”
Jameson chuckles, pulling my attention. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What day?” I ask, preparing myself for what I know is coming.
“The day the almighty Walker Meyer falls in love.”
I open my mouth to argue, but I can’t. It’s futile. “I’ve only known her a couple of weeks, man,” I argue, even though there’s no punch behind my words.
Jameson shrugs. “When you know, you know.”
I glance back at Mal, who’s turning and heading toward the server stand. She spies us standing there and gives me a little wave and smile.
Am I in love with her?
Possibly.
I know I like spending time with her and making her laugh. I enjoy kissing her lips, now that I know what that feels like. I want to see her smile and hold her hand and wake up next to her. I want to snuggle with both of them before bed and make sure they get enough to eat at dinner. All that doesn’t mean love, but it sure makes a damn convincing argument.
“I like her, Jame.