Knocked Up by my Bestie's Brother: A Small Town Enemies to Lovers Romance by Brandon Bella

Author:Brandon, Bella
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

JAY

Iglance up at the TV mounted on the wall of The Rusty Oak and catch the tail end of a severe weather warning. A severe storm is heading our way, expected to make landfall by evening.

I frown. I pull my phone out of my pocket and google the warning so I can get more information.

Apparently, from seven p.m. to ten p.m. will be the most severe.

The usually calm town of Maplewood isn’t prepared for this kind of weather, and I can’t help feeling a little worried. The Rusty Oak is more than just a business to me; it’s my second home.

As the news turns to a feel-good story about dogs being adopted from shelters, I turn down the volume and look around. It’s been a while since I prepped The Rusty Oak for a big storm, but I know what needs to be done.

I head to the back room to see if the wooden boards I used to cover the windows last time are still there. I find most of what I need in the storeroom and decide to get started.

As I begin hammering wood over the windows, I wonder if I should go ahead and close the bar for tonight or if I should stay open. People might come and end up sheltering in place during the worst of the storm.

I imagine selling double my usual number of drinks for a Wednesday night, and I decide to leave it open. Besides, my employees are counting on the income, and the storm might not even be that bad.

I’ve been working on the building for a good hour when I hear my name from the parking lot.

I turn around and see Fiona, one of my waitresses. She’s standing in the parking lot, a few feet away from the bottom of my ladder. She crosses her arms and cranes her neck to look up at me. “Did you hear about the storm?”

“Yeah, I just saw the warning.” I climb down the ladder, being careful. The last thing I need is a broken ankle so I can’t finish securing the bar.

“So, am I still working tonight? I wasn’t sure, and you weren’t answering your phone. I was downtown anyway, so I just decided to stop by and see.”

“I’m still planning on being open. After I go through this storm prep list, The Rusty Oak might be a safer place than a lot of the homes here. Do you mind starting your shift now?”

“Now? It’s only two. We don’t open until four.”

“I know, but we need to start securing everything. I don’t want to take any chances. I’ll pay you time and a half to help me get this place ready for the storm.”

Fiona doesn’t take long to think it over, and I’m grateful for someone to help me. I want the preparation done by the time the bar is supposed to open so I can focus on the customers who do come.

“What do you need me to do?”

“I’m almost done with this window.

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