“This is Jane. How can I help you this afternoon?”
My mind clamps up along with my mouth. It’s weird. I’m not usually the guy who is lost for words or temporarily paralyzed from the brain down. But there’s something... It’s like when a hypnotist implants a cue in the mind of a patient. Only I’m the patient and I have no idea why anyone would implant a cue that turns me into a bumbling idiot. I shift in my seat and rub at the prickling sensation at the base of my neck. “Where’s Pete?”
“Pete Hastings,” she clarifies, as if there’s any other Pete who has managed our business for the past four years. “He resigned. A month ago.”
“Really?” I didn’t see that coming. Pete’s been our rep with Brewed Nation for as long as we’ve been in business. He wouldn’t leave without telling us, would he? And who am I supposed to bitch at about our order now? Who am I supposed to joke with? Pete was more than our rep. He was practically one of the gang, and I didn’t even get a goodbye. It breaks my freaking heart. “How come?”
“I believe there were personal reasons,” she says, her voice modulating to express a level of professionalism that sounds a little snooty. Or maybe it’s an accent. “Is there anything I can help you with...?”
“Hudson,” I respond. “Hudson Kelly.”
I hear a sharp intake of air on the other end of the line before she starts to cough. The sound grows muffled for a moment and then she comes back. “Is there anything else I can help you with... Hudson?”
“Uh, yeah, that would be great,” I say as I scrub a hand over my head and slump back in the leather office chair. “I need to chat with whoever has been taking care of the Line ‘Em Up account for the past month.”
“That would be me now,” she says. “I’m replacing Pete as your rep here at Brewed Nation for the time being, so if you have any issues, or anything I can help you with you can call me. I’ll give you my personal extension.”
I write down the number she tells me.
“And is there anything else I can do for you today?”
Christ. I nearly forgot the whole reason I called. I was too overcome with the news about Pete.
“Actually, Jane, we have a big problem.” I turn my charm on her, because damn it, she sounds cute. And Pete used to love when I flirted with him. “I’m really going to need your help to fix it.”
“If you could fill me in on the details I can address the problem,” she says with complete professionalism. Only the pause before she speaks suggests that she’s ignoring my playful tone instead of being oblivious to it.
“We’re missing a few items.” I pick up the printed sheet so I can read the items out. “Since it’s the third time this month you can see why the two of us need to fix the issue before our bosses get involved. Brewed Nation has always been good to us, but with business growing so much...”
I let the words hang in the air. It isn’t this girl’s fault that our orders haven’t been correct recently. If anything it’s probably Pete’s. But it is a problem and I do need her to prioritize it.
“Okay,” she says. I can hear the click clack of her keyboard through the phone line as she types something into her laptop. “I don’t know why there’s been a mistake, but I promise I am going to fix this. Let me confirm I have all the details and I’ll I get the missing items out to you as soon as possible. It might take me a couple days to chase everything down though.”
“Thank you, Jane, that’s really going to help,” I purr into the phone as I rest my heels on the edge of the ugly, flat pack desk. “But is there any chance we could get today’s items this afternoon? If you could help me out I’ll be eternally grateful.”
“Okay.” A click clack sound fills the silence. “Why don’t you go ahead and tell me what you’re missing?”
“The IPA and the Stout.”
She hums as she checks the list on her end. “Okay. I see. I can get both of those out to you this afternoon.”
“Are you guaranteeing delivery?” I ask. Her voice makes me think of sunny days and riding around in my Pop’s car with the top down when I first got my license. Cola flavored lollipops. Spun sugar and vanilla. Salt water. And heartbreak. It’s pretty damn visceral, like a distant memory. Like a wish locked in a jar until it’s forgotten. Like every time the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” comes on my playlist, and suddenly I’m prancing around my living room like Scary Spice and rocking a pretend microphone. And like “Wannabe” I want to keep listening to it.
“I am.”
“Personally?” Because I want to see the woman on the other end of the line.
“Yes,” she says. “Your items will be delivered to the bar by the end of the business day.”
“Thank you, Jane. You’re making my day right now.”
She laughs softly. “Well, I’m glad I could help you.”
“Damn, girl, you’re like the perfect woman. Brains and efficiency. I bet you’re stunning too, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know about that,” she titters self-consciously. “Do you flirt with all your suppliers?”
“Every single one.” I wink even though she can’t see it.
“Even Pete?”
“Absolutely. But he wasn’t as sweet as you. Nor as helpful.” He was a great guy, but same day service was not part of his vocabulary. “I’m glad you’re our new rep.”
“Well, let me go and sort this out. And if you need anything else...”
“I’ve got your digits.”
***
I grab the bottle of Patron off the shelf, spin it around with one hand while I line up six shot glasses in front of a group of cotton candy themed women in their twenties. Their gazes follow my movements as I fill the glasses without wasting a drop. “What are we celebrating tonight?”
“Maybelline is getting married,” the tall blonde leading the pack yells.
Her words are followed by loud cheers from the rest of the group as they push a cute brunette in a white sash with bride to be on it toward me.
“You must be Maybelline.” My lips twitch. If I was ever to have kids I’d name them something that hasn’t been turned into a catch phrase.
“I am.” Her lips curve from ear to ear. She’s so excited she’s vibrating.
“Well, come on then, show us the ring, sweetheart.” I top each glass with a wedge of lemon and withhold the saltshaker. “I wanna see the rock.”
Her eyes widen and light up as she lifts the back of her left hand in front of her chest and wiggles her ring finger.
“Good Lord,” I gush, stretching my hand out and waiting for her to take it so I can have a closer look. “That is one hell of a diamond.”
“Isn’t it?” She bounces on the balls of her feet.
“He’s a lucky man.” I wink at her as I ignore her friend who is holding money out for me. A burning sensation starts in my chest, and I suck in a breath as I let go of Maybelline’s hand. “And this round is on me.”
“Thank you.” She grins widely.
One after the other they reach for their shots before toasting their compatriot as I move on.