As an up-and-coming social media influencer, Sadie Dwyer has had enough of the expectations thrust upon her and is finally ready to start living life on her own terms. Goodbye cushy corporate finance job, goodbye Los Angeles, and hello fresh start...
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When I'd had the idea to name this pub after Dawson, never in my wildest dreams did I think we would get to a night like tonight. Call it low expectations or a lack of ability to visualize the future, but standing behind the bar as a line of people filed into the pub—all of whom were either veterans, accompanying one, or happy to donate and support a great cause—had me wonderstruck.
And it was all thanks to Sadie, who was currently checking tickets at the door.
First, she'd snagged onto the significance behind a throwaway thought I'd let out while chatting to her in the early stages of hiring her, and then she'd gone above and beyond to make it a reality. With her magic, tickets to tonight's event had sold like hotcakes and we'd had to set up a handful of long temporary tables throughout the pub to accommodate everyone. Then there were the small touches she'd knocked out of the park: tablecloths, coasters, an artfully designed banner with Veteran Appreciation Night scrawled across it, the bingo cards and dabbers, and the individual cards at every seat with a shortened history of the pub (and Dawson and I's friendship) and a QR code to donate additional funds to the night's festivities.
It was insanely impressive, because while Finn and I had tried to help and coordinate tonight as much as possible on the business side—having enough staff, beer, and food prepped—she'd done it all herself.
And tonight, she was dressed like the star she was; in tight gold pants that sculpted over her hips and legs, a simple white shirt, and dark green blazer that matched her heels. She was stunning, and too often since we'd opened our doors, I found my attention drifting her way.
As my gaze flitted her way once again while I wiped down a set of glasses, I couldn't help but admire the wide smile she greeted each and every guest with. A genuine one that never wavered. And as though she felt my eyes on her, she turned my way, softening her features ever so lightly that not many would be able to notice. I did, however, and I felt my own lips turn upwards in return.
Suddenly, drawing my attention away, a hand clapped me on the shoulder. "You good?" Finn asked with a raised brow. "Because I think that glass is dry enough."
Huffing out a laugh, I stacked the glass with the rest of the clean supply and threw the towel I'd been using over my shoulder. "I'm good, just zoned out for a second, you know, taking this all in." By the amused look that grew on his features, I knew without a doubt he'd caught me staring Sadie's way, so to skip over the inevitable ribbing, I jumped in before any teasing words could leave his lips. "How are the kitchen staff handling things? Any issues?"
He rolled his eyes at my obvious diversion, but answered nonetheless. "We're all good. Shortening the menu was an ingenious idea on Sadie's behalf, because dealing with only wings, pizza, burgers, and fries is a whole lot easier than prepping and juggling our full menu with this many guests."
"Great to hear," I replied. "Just let me know if you need any help."
"I should be telling you that, considering it's been a while since you've manned the bar."
