Kiss Me Goodnight

Read Kiss Me Goodnight for Free Online Page B

Book: Read Kiss Me Goodnight for Free Online
Authors: Michele Zurlo
motioned toward the opening. “It’s your five minutes.”
    I surveyed the setup and mentally compared it with what I’d seen on television. “First, you need to display your goods. Customers want to be able to see the liquor. You want your most expensive ones on the top tier. It’s subliminal. Short men and those with self-esteem issues will gravitate toward them, if only to make the bartender pull them down to their level.”
    He had shelving, but he had other supplies on it. Bottles of liquor were lined up on the counter. The napkins, stir sticks, and umbrellas should go elsewhere. I rearranged a few things.
    “We used to have it like that, but some of the female bartenders complained they couldn’t reach it.” He came around the counter and surveyed my handiwork. Then he pitched in and helped me move things around.
    I let him do the majority of the work; otherwise he would’ve realized I had no freaking idea what I was doing. “Invest in a few stepstools, sir. They won’t complain once they start making more in tips.”
    “I need to get more business in here. Last year or so hasn’t been great for us.”
    Guitar sounds twanged over the speakers, and I glanced at the stage. Dylan stood near one of the amplifiers, tuning his strings. Guys in bands are hot. No matter what instruments they play, they generally have strong hands. If they’re used in the right ways, I’m a huge fan of strong hands.
    “I get mostly local bands playing here. Sometimes I get a smaller tour through.”
    I nodded thoughtfully. “Are they any good?”
    He shrugged. “Sometimes.”
    “Sir—”
    He cut me off. “Call me Mike. That ‘sir’ stuff makes me feel old.”
    I lowered my eyes and tried to blush. I might not have been successful, but sometimes the right posture is all you need. “Sorry. I meant it respectfully.” And I hadn’t known his name.
    He touched my wrist gently. It wasn’t a flirtatious gesture, just one that let me know he liked me. “I know, Ms. Hallem.”
    Looking up, I gave him another brilliant smile. It’s a good one. Both my mom and John agree that it’s one of my best—and worst—assets. “Mike, when I hear a crappy band, I leave a bar. I can see that you envision The Majestic as a place that promotes great local bands and excellent drinks. Hanover can help with that. They offer a variety of liquors, and they also can provide staff training on how to upsell the beverages.”
    Mike scratched his chin and regarded me thoughtfully. Then he went back to rearranging his bar. “I like you, Ms. Hallem,” he concluded after a while.
    “Lacey, please.”
    “Lacey, then. I think Hanover finally got it right, sending you over. Talk to me about prices.”
    Over the next few minutes, Mike and I proceeded to talk about several things other than liquor. I won’t put them down here because I didn’t want to hear about how his divorce drained his finances and his son couldn’t figure out what college to attend, so I’m sure you don’t either. Believe me when I say I did my best to come across as sympathetic, and I think I was successful. I also did work cost information into the conversation.
    A man cleared his throat behind us. Loudly. He had to in order to be heard over the guitars and drums doing their sound check. Dylan’s voice came over the speakers. I couldn’t tell if he could sing from the way he said, “Check, check.”
    A strange man sat at the bar, and Craig stood just behind him, beta-male style. Wrinkles of confusion made lines between his brows, and he also frowned, making premature lines on the rest of his face. Because I hadn’t forgiven him for his asshole handshake, I was tempted to comment on his wrinkle-making habits. But I didn’t. Mike thought I was a nice girl, and I was playing up that angle.
    I am a nice girl, but I know how to be a bitch too.
    The man with him studied me. He was older, silver-haired, and suave. His dark blue suit jacket was cut great and emphasized the

Similar Books

Blinding Light

Paul Theroux

Shatter My Rock

Greta Nelsen

House Rules

Chloe Neill

Eating Stone

Ellen Meloy

More Than Friends

Jessica Jayne

The Boyfriend List

E. Lockhart

The Golden Queen

David Farland