flies by, and before I know it, the clock reads midnight. Last call was ten minutes ago, and now it’s Jameson’s job to start pushing the patrons toward the front door. The brunette from earlier makes eye contact, a well-manicured eyebrow arching in invitation. I wave her away, having no intention of going anywhere with her, and set out to clean up.
“What can I do?” Mallory asks, glancing around.
“Not a damn thing, Mal. You’ve already worked your shift tonight,” I tell her, closing out the registers.
“I want to help,” she says, watching as Jameson starts picking up pub stools and placing them on the tabletops. Before I can say anything, she goes off to the opposite side of the room and helps, though it’s a little harder for her shorter frame.
“I’ll grab some cases. What do you need?” Jasper asks, glancing at the coolers behind me.
I point to four beers that are very low, and he takes off to the walk-in cooler to start pulling product. Just as I pull the drawers and set them on the counter, Mallory appears beside me. “Can I wash those?” she asks, pointing to the trays of dirty glasses ready to be washed.
“If you insist, though I’d be fine with you sitting down and relaxing.”
“I’ve been sitting for the last couple of hours, Walker. I need something to do or I’ll fall asleep.”
I snort. “Not used to staying up so late?”
“Not in the last year or two.”
I watch as she refills the sink with hot, soapy water and uses the stationary glass scrubber to start cleaning the glasses. “Just set them on that mat, and they’ll get put away tomorrow when we open,” I tell her.
With Mallory’s help, we’re able to close down the bar within thirty minutes. Everything is cleaned and restocked and ready for Sunday. “Thanks, Kal,” I say, waving, as the young woman clocks out on the iPad.
“See you next week,” she hollers, heading out the back door with Jameson on her heels.
“Ready?” I ask Mallory, who giggles when she yawns.
“Ready.”
Jasper confirms all the doors are secured and sets the alarm as we all head for our vehicles. “Later, guys,” Jasper says, approaching his fancy sports car. “Mallory, great to see you again this evening.”
“You too, Jasper,” she says, tossing him a little wave as she reaches her Escape.
“I’ll follow you home,” I state, unlocking my Jeep.
“That’s not necessary,” she insists, pushing hair behind her ear.
“It is necessary, Mal,” I tell her, helping her with that erratic strand of hair blowing in the wind.
“Later,” Jameson calls, jumping on his Harley.
“Won’t he get cold?” Mallory asks, watching him take off in nothing but a sleeveless T-shirt and jeans.
“He’s used to it.” My fingers graze over her forehead, the slightest touch causing my cock to jump in my pants. “After you,” I add, waiting while she climbs into her vehicle. Only when it’s running do I jump into my CJ and back out.
I follow her through the familiar streets as she heads for home, the sounds of Stevie Nicks floating through the air. When she pulls into the lot, I do the same, parking beside her car. I hop out and meet her at the back of her Escape. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I tell her, “I’ll escort you up.”
“You don’t have to,” she says, but must realize it’s a losing battle. No way am I letting her go up by herself this late at night. I don’t think anything would happen, but I’m not taking the chance. Not here. “I texted Isaac to tell him I’m home so he can remove the chain,” she adds, as we open the front door of the building and head for the stairs.
“I wish this place had security. Even just a lock on the doors that tenants have keys to,” I observe, making a mental note to find out who owns this dump.
Mallory doesn’t reply, just walks up the two flights of stairs to the third floor and uses her key in the door. When she pushes it open and enters her apartment, I move inside, closing it tightly behind me.
“How’d it go?” she asks Isaac, who has his bag of work shit gathered up.
“She was perfect. We made pigs in a blanket with hotdogs and crescent rolls,” he boasts.
“I’m glad she wasn’t too much trouble.”
“Are you kidding? She’s fucking awesome. Anytime you need a sitter, Mallory, just call.”
Mal smiles and it looks like tears fill her eyes. I don’t think she has much