A Taste of Trouble by Gina Gordon

watching intently. “I'm just going to put you on the wall of shame and then Mr. McLean will come after you. You don't want that, do you?”
    “I would rather pay him than you,” he grumbled.
    Anger rose up before she could contain it. “Just pay the bill, Burt!”
    “Is there a problem here?” Jake had joined the two of them. She didn't even notice him get up from his stool.
    “No problem. I've got it under control.”
    “Horrible. She's horrible. Look how she treats customers.” Burt was looking at Jake. “Why haven't they fired her yet?”
    “I don't think it's very nice of you to be talking about Liv that way,” Jake said.
    She appreciated his concern, but it fell on deaf ears. Burt wouldn't remember this tomorrow.
    “I will say whatever I want. She's a bitch!”
    Jake recoiled at Burt's comment. Liv took it in stride. This wasn't new, and was the perfect example of why she didn't go that extra mile to be nice to people.
    “Hey, now. That is uncalled for. I've seen her serve you all night and you barely had to ask.”
    He'd been watching her all night?
    “Leave it alone, Jake. I've got this.”
    “How can you let him talk to you like that?” Jake said to her.
    “He's drunk. Comes with the territory.” Liv walked around the bar to where Burt was sitting and helped him off his stool. “Your cab is probably here.”
    “Don't you touch me.” Burt's arms flailed about. For an old man, he had surprising strength. He knocked Liv away from him, throwing her against the bar. The edge rammed into her back.
    “Ow!”
    “That's it!” Jake grabbed Burt and dragged him to the door.
    By now, all of the other customers had noticed the disturbance and were watching as Jake pushed the old man out the door into the cold winter air.
    Chris rushed over. “You okay, Liv?”
    “Yeah. Just an accident.” She brushed her shirt down, trying to regain her composure. “I'm good.”
    Good? She was embarrassed as hell. When had she ever needed a man to take control of the situation? She'd handled drunken idiots hundreds of times before, and now, with everyone watching, he made her seem weak.
    Liv grabbed Burt's bill and pinned it behind the bar. Trying to calm herself, she cleaned away all the evidence of him. The circular swipe of the cloth against the bar settled her pulse and racing brain.
    Two minutes later, Jake waltzed back in. “I made sure he got in a cab. Are you hurt?”
    “Nope. I'm good.” She used a wet rag to scrub at the place where Burt had sat.
    Her eyes darted up, but only for a second. Jake looked concerned and he wore it well. Damn! He was too beautiful. His green eyes pierced right through her as if he knew every thought racing through her mind. If only that chaotic mess didn't happen and Jake hadn't made her feel two inches tall. Why couldn't it be twenty minutes ago, when the only thoughts plaguing her were dirty ones—Liv on top of the bar, Jake between her legs—
    “Does that happen often?” Jake asked. “He's a real ass.”
    Liv waved him off and returned to her duties. “He won't even remember tomorrow.”
    “Liv! I need drinks!” Meg called from the other end of the bar.
    Liv turned and held up one finger. She turned her attention back to Jake, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest and a stone cold expression on his face. She reached for two empty glasses on the bar to her right. “I've helped people out of here more times than I can count.”
    “It doesn't make you weak, you know. Asking for help.”
    She stopped abruptly, and raised her eyes to meet his. How did he know her so well? “I'm not weak.” No one ever took the time to get to know her, and in waltzed this man who thought he had her pegged after having one high school-style make out session. What did he want from her? A confession? An apology? Whatever it was, she couldn't give it to him. “I'm fine on my own. Always have been.”
    “Liv!” Meg called again.
    Jake let out a heavy breath and ran one hand