If We Fall Again

Chapter 5

Elise arrived at the bar early, eager to make a good first impression. The place was quiet, with only a couple of staff milling around, prepping for the day ahead. Taylor was already there, organizing bottles behind the counter. She gave Elise a wide smile as she walked in.

“Look who’s early!” Taylor called out, teasing. “Eager beaver, huh?”

Elise laughed, walking over to the bar. “Well, I figure if I’m going to work at a bar, I better start off on the right foot. Or I’ll get fired before I even clock in.”

Taylor grinned. “Nah, you’ll be fine. Worst-case scenario, we get you slinging drinks, and you’ll charm the tips out of everyone. And if that doesn’t work, you can always take up bartending tricks.”

Elise chuckled, imagining herself awkwardly trying to juggle bottles. “Yeah, I’d probably break everything within five minutes.”

They both shared a laugh, and Taylor handed her a glass of water. “So, first day nerves?”

“A little,” Elise admitted. “But I’m mostly ready to get back to work. Sitting at home all day unpacking boxes can only go so far.”

Taylor leaned against the bar, playfully raising her eyebrows. “Well, this is a bar, so expect some colorful characters. Nothing too crazy, but the regulars are pretty entertaining.”

Elise smirked. “Sounds like I’ll fit right in.”

Just as they were settling into their work routine, the door to the office swung open, and Nate walked in. He didn’t even glance their way, heading straight to his office without so much as a greeting. Elise’s stomach tightened slightly at the sight of him, but she forced herself to focus on wiping down the bar.

Taylor noticed and nudged her. “Don’t take it personally. Nate’s... well, he’s always a little distant. Busy guy, owns a bunch of businesses around here. It’s rare to even see him here during the day.”

Elise raised an eyebrow. “A bunch of businesses?”

“Yeah, between him and his brother, they’ve got a lot of investments,” Taylor explained casually. “His brother used to run this place before he left town.”

Elise froze. “Wait... brother?”

Taylor gave her a curious look. “Yeah, didn’t you know? Nate’s got a brother. Well, had. The guy left town, and no one’s heard much about him since.”

Elise felt a wave of confusion wash over her. As far as she knew, Nate was an only child. Or at least, that’s what she had always believed.

Before she could ask more, Nate’s voice interrupted them from behind. “Elise. In my office. We need to talk.”

Elise glanced at Taylor, who gave her an encouraging nod. “Good luck,” she whispered, clearly amused.

Elise followed Nate into the office, where he closed the door behind them. He motioned for her to sit, and she obliged, already sensing the tension in the air.

“I wanted to go over a few things,” Nate began, his tone professional but clipped. “As manager, you’ll be handling the staff schedules, inventory, and general operations. I’ll drop by occasionally, but I trust you can manage without needing me around.”

Elise nodded, listening but finding his overly serious tone almost comical. “Got it boss,” she muttered under her breath.

Nate stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing as he caught her smirk. “Is something funny?”

Elise quickly shook her head, trying to suppress her smile. “No, no, it’s just... you’re very thorough. Very, um, intense.”

Nate’s annoyance flickered in his eyes. “I don’t take this business lightly, Elise. And neither should you. You may have had some fancy job in the city, but this is different.”