“Open door,” she says without missing a beat.
I can feel a few recommendations floating to the top inside of me, so I try to think of some unique ways of singling each one out.“And are you someone who enjoys watching men lasso animals, or are you more of a late-night professor/student girlie?”
Her eyes go wide as she contemplates my words, then slaps her hand on the bar.“Professor/student!”
“And what about second chance vibes?Yay or nay?”
“Total yay.”
“Are we more fans of straightlaced sexy times, or do we like a little bit of hide and seek and spanking?”
Her eyes go wide.“That last part.”
I nod, already knowing the bookandthe drink.“I’ve got the book rec and theperfectdrink to go with it.”
“Oh my god, give me both!”she says, bouncing excitedly.“I love this—a book and a brew.”
“And on the bay, no less,” I add.Ryan is coming closer, and I can feel his attention on me as I say, “I’ll make your drink while you look up Off The Clock by Roni Loren.That’s your official Brews on the Bay book recommendation.”
“I want to go next!”The blonde of the group raises her hand, wiggling on her stool.
I do this for the other two girls in the group, guiding them through a series of questions that end with a flourish in a book recommendation and a mystery drink that I prepare on the fly.By the time all three are served, they are squealing with delight.
“You’re like the book rec bartender,” the girl named Abby says.She’s damn near halfway finished with her cosmopolitan, which I suggested she read alongsideConfessions of a Shopaholic.“You should get a T-shirt that says that.”
I like the sound of that.In fact, it’s kind of my dream job.Officially serving up book recommendations?Yes, please.If only I could make a living doing it.
“Ooooh, you should start one of those accounts,” the redhead, Helena, says.“Like the book reviewers on TikTok.Have you ever seen any of those?”
I tilt my head as I consider her words.I don’t know how much to admit—that I did, once upon a time, try my hand at book reviewing, only for it to be shut down by Jake as frivolous and a waste of time?I still have the TikTok account, which I called Casey’s Corner, but I didn’t get more than three videos posted because I shamefully closed that chapter of my self-expression.
I told myself then it was better to stay away from social media in general because I had to use itso muchin my corporate life.But right now, in the middle of Brews, the return to that world seems so perfect.What have I got to lose?
“Yeah.I’ve seen them,” I say with a laugh.“You might be onto something.”
Ryan calls me over after I serve the girls another round.They are contented and buzzing about the book recommendations.When I step over to chat with him, he’s got a big smile on his face.
“Casey, that thing you do with the book recommendations is awesome.I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“Oh, it’s nothing special.I’m just a huge book nerd so it makes sense.”
Ryan shakes his head.“I’d say it’s something special.I’ve been watching you do this with as many customers as you can, and it’s paying off.Your sales are off the charts already, just two weeks in.Keep it up, okay?”His grin is nearly ear to ear as he heads toward the kitchen and a cook who called for him.My head is spinning.
Daryl wasn’t exaggerating.I’m actually doing well at the new job.
And I sure needed the ego boost.I try to savor the good vibes as I grab a rag and start cleaning up a corner of the bar that needs some TLC.I’m the bartender with the highest salesandpeople like my book recommendations.Could this night get any better?
The front door opens and soon after, there are some low hoots.
“Keegannnn.”
I inhale sharply, twisting to look toward the front door.Apparently this nightcanget better.Griffin has just sauntered into the building with his model-grade grin, pumping his fists in the air for the fans who have started chanting “Crush-ers!Crush-ers!”
I drift back toward the girls, who are all ogling Griffin.
“Oh my god.Who ishe?”Abby tilts her head down, her mouth parting slightly.
“He’s the local famous athlete,” I say, watching as Griffin slowly makes his way toward the bar, stopping by tables for a quick word to the fans.“Hockey, to be precise.”