Business as Usual (Off The Subject) by Denise Grover Swank Read Free Book Online Page B

he’ll help the boys in the program develop that same interest.
    I’m deep in thought when Rob sets my drink in front of me. “Lighten up, Lexi Pendergraft.”
    I snap out of my train of thought and turn to him. “What makes you say that? I’m here aren’t I?”
    “There’s here and then there’s here.” He taps my temple with the last word.
    He might have a point.
    “You need to let loose and have some fun,” Sylvia leans across the table with an intent look in her eyes. “No work tonight. No comments or suggestions about the fundraiser. I didn’t risk my neck with your brother so you could sit here and think about work or school.”
    “Okay, okay.” I lift my hands in surrender and pick up the glass and take a sip. “Better now?”
    “For the moment.” She smirks.
    The rest of our group joins us and I watch everyone, amazed that the locals from Hillsdale and the students from Southern have blended so well. Rob hits on one of the crew members, an education major who tutors at the charity’s after-school center. He sees me watching and winks.
    I grin and shake my head. He’s a hopeless flirt.
    I finish my drink and lean over to Sylvia. “I’m going to get another drink. Want something?”
    Her eyes light up as she turns from the crew guy she’s talking to and looks at me. “Yeah, another white wine.”
    I get up and walk toward the bar, passing a table of rowdy guys who watch me as I pass. An uneasiness spreads down my spine, but I try to ignore it. The men are harmless. I need to lighten up.
    Two bartenders are behind the bar—a woman who looks like she’s in her late twenties and a guy who’s slightly familiar although I can’t place him. The woman is closer, but she flashes me a smile and calls out something I can’t hear. The guy’s head lifts and she nods toward me.
    He pops the top off a beer bottle and hands it to a guy before making his way to my end of the bar. A grin spreads across his face when he stops in front of me. “What can I get you, darlin’?” he asks with a drawl.
    I stare at him, momentarily speechless. He’s impossibly good looking with short, dark hair and gorgeous green eyes. A day’s growth of stubble covers his lower face.
    His smile fades slightly as he leans closer and he asks again, “What can I get you?”
    I’m rarely affected by a guy’s looks, but he stops me in my tracks. I give myself a mental shake. “Uh…a lemon drop martini and a white wine.”
    “Coming right up.” But he hesitates for several seconds before grabbing a martini glass and starting to make my drink. “I haven’t seen your group in here before.”
    “We wrapped up the first night of our play down the block and we’re here to celebrate.”
    “So, are you an actress then?” he asks as he pours liquor into a martini shaker.
    “Me?” I can’t help but laugh. “No. I was in the play, but I’m no actress. It was more of an honorary part.”
    “What do you do, then?”
    It sounds like he’s just making polite conversation, but there’s a slight edge to his question that makes me wonder if it’s more than that. Still, I have nothing to hide and networking is part of the game of fundraising. “I work with the Middle Tennessee Children’s Charity.”
    “So the play was a fundraiser for their summer program.”
    “That’s right.” I’m surprised he knows this.
    He shakes the metal container then pours the contents into my glass. “I heard about how you’re adding the middle-school kids. It’s a great idea.” He sets my glass on the counter. “My brother goes to that summer program. He starts middle-school next year, so this would have been his last year otherwise.”
    This is my opportunity to get more information. I ignore the fact that I’m grateful for the chance to talk to him longer. “Does he like it?”
    He grins and leans his elbow on the counter. “What’s not to like? Romping in the park all day with games, swimming, and field trips—it’s a kid’s