The bar is crazy busy, and though I’m happy for the fat stack of tips currently building up in my apron, I was mostly hoping for a calm night. The holiday season is in full swing, at both the bar and Bridge and Blooms. I’ve had multiple deliveries to make every day this week, and I’ve got a full morning of running around Brooklyn ahead of me tomorrow. My feet are already aching. Jack better have been serious about that bath, because I’m going to need it.

I’ve got an hour left on the shift countdown clock when I see a short head of straight dark hair pushing its way through the crowd.

Gem elbows her way onto the one open bar stool, giving me a tight smile that doesn’t come close to touching her eyes.

I pour her a glass of wine and head down to her end of the bar. Setting down the glass, I lean over and give her a quick hug. “I didn’t know you were coming in tonight.”

She takes a long sip of her wine. “I didn’t either. But Harley and Nick are at the apartment and I just needed a break, you know?”

Nodding, I rest both elbows on the bar in front of her, taking some of the weight off my feet in the process.

She eyes me warily. “Jack isn’t showing up here anytime soon, is he?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Good. I can only handle so much adorableness in one night.” After another swig, her glass is almost empty.

I reach for an empty glass and fill it with water, pushing it over to her. “What’s going on, Gem?”

“Uh-oh, have you turned into one of those bartender-slash-therapists?” Her words are cutting, but I’ve known her long enough to know I shouldn’t take it personally.

“Nope. I don’t give a shit about other people’s problems unless those other people happen to be my best friends. Then I want to know why she looks like I just told her Top Chef was canceled.” I nudge the water glass closer to her, and once she takes a begrudging sip, I refill her wine.

“Don’t even speak those words into the universe,” she mutters. “I don’t really want to sit here and complain about how my job sucks and I hate it and how I’m super miserable while all of my best friends are pairing up with their perfect partners and living happily ever after.” She runs both hands through her hair, letting it fall in front of her face like a curtain.