Calm Like Home by Kaisa Clark Read Free Book Online Page A

the Indigo Lounge bathroom at ten o’clock. Can you believe that? Most people aren’t even at the bar yet and he was already passed out on a nasty ass bathroom floor.”
    “That’s disgusting, Adam,” I reply chuckling. “What kind of friend lets their buddy crash on a bathroom floor?”
    He breaks into that deep laughter, his eyes flashing to mine alight with amusement. “It really couldn’t be avoided. Everyone kept feeding him shots. Anyway, we took him to his mom’s, left him on the couch, and went back to the bar.”
    “You didn’t! You left him on his birthday?”
    “I told you we did it big. What were we supposed to do, just sit around his living room with his mom and watch him sleep? Nah, we had an obligation to that bottle of Stoli at the bar, and we held up our end. But freaking Damien kept me out until five in the morning knowing full well we both had to be here to open.” He exhales sharply and leans his upper body against the counter for support. “I can’t tell if I’m more tired or hungover.”
    “You’ve got to learn to say no to peer pressure, Adam.” I smile sweetly up at him, finding his distress all kinds of adorable.
    “Who can say no when there are shots involved?” he asks, peeking over at me with a pained look.
    “Espresso break later?” I ask him. “I have a feeling you’re going to need it.”
     
    Thirty minutes later his dark eyes lock on mine as he gestures towards the espresso station. I meet him and set to work brewing our shots. Adam leans against the counter at my side, watching me with intent eyes. When the shots are ready we clink the little, white mugs together and tip them back. He slams his down on the counter like it’s a shot glass and exclaims, “Where’s the chaser?”
    “Just what you need,” I tease, collecting our mugs to take to the back.
    Adam and I meet twice more for espresso shots during our shift and by the end we’re both jittery and wide-awake. I’m headed to start my side duty when I spot him rolling silverware on a long steel table in the kitchen. I instantly abandon my cleaning plans and walk back to start rolling my own basket of silverware at his side. He’s pulled off his tie and rolled the sleeves of his white button down up to the elbow. The sight of his tan skin brings back memories of the pool, of his body sliding against mine, of his arm around my waist. I force myself to focus on the silverware in front of me for fear he’ll see it written on my face that I only ever want to be that close to him.
    As I roll the next set of silverware into the napkin, I bow my elbows way out to the side to get in his way. He playfully pokes my ribcage with one of his silverware rolls and a warm smile spreads over his face. After nestling the silverware roll in the basket, I slide a step closer to him. I carefully place the next knife and fork on my cloth napkin and begin rolling again with elbows wide, intentionally colliding with his stomach.
    “This is my technique, Adam. I can’t help it if you’re in the way.”
    He bursts out laughing as he watches me and my heart soars. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and get us some more knives? We’re about out.”
    I retrieve the supplies, but when I return, I see he’s taken all the silverware I rolled out of my basket and placed it in his. I make an animated show of peering into the two baskets.
    “Looks like someone snatched your silverware, Lex. What a shame.” His whole face is lit up, even his eyes are grinning. “I guess you’ll have plenty of time to practice that sweet technique of yours.”
    I twist up the top napkin from my stack and playfully snap it at him.
    “You don’t fool me, Westbrook. I’m onto your game.”
    He feigns innocence and places the last of the silverware rolls in his now full basket. He starts to leave but turns back to me. “Thanks for the pick-me-ups today. You got me through the day.”
    I’m inwardly cringing, waiting for that damned word again, the