Sitting at the bar the next night, Y/N took a sip of the soda Jungkook had given her. He wasn't the only bartender on duty—Max, the young man from the other night, was also there—and she could see why. She'd arrived at 5:15 on the nose to find Jungkook had saved her a seat—the same one she'd occupied the other night. 

There'd been a little sign in front of it that said, "Reserved," and as soon as she'd walked in the door, he caught her eye and gestured toward the stool. The place was already three-quarters full, with more people coming in every few minutes. 

The staff was bustling. According to Jungkook, since it was a Friday evening, every seat at the bar would be taken by six o'clock, with people stacked behind them, and there'd be at least a twenty-minute wait for tables.

Since she hadn't packed any clothes suitable for a date at a nice restaurant, Y/N had gone shopping at the mall after she'd left Home Depot. It took an hour and several stores to find a little black dress that fit her perfectly. It wasn't too formal or casual and could be dressed up or down with the right shoes and accessories. She'd also picked up a pair of black-and-silver heels for tonight.

Over her left shoulder, the pub's front door swung open again, and a tall, pretty, dark-haired woman in her mid-twenties rushed in. She was wearing black pants and a royal blue J' GRILL T-shirt. Her hair was damp and pulled up into a ponytail. 

Jungkook's attention immediately diverted from his customers to the younger woman, and Y/N didn't like the unwanted flash of jealousy that shot through her gut.

"Well?" he asked the brunette, who stopped abruptly between two men sitting on the long side of the bar. She bit her lip and hung her head, causing Jungkook to frown and put his hands on his hips while gaping at her. 

"Oh, crap, Kate, don't tell me you failed." His tone wasn't one of disappointment—it was more like despair.

Y/N saw the woman's smile before she lifted her head. It was obvious she'd been messing with him. "I passed!"

Jungkook punched a fist into the air. "Yes! I said you could do it!" Reaching back, he grabbed and yanked on the rope hanging from a brass bell attached to the bar's frame. The loud ding-ding had everyone in the pub eyeing him. "Ladies and gents, let's hear it for one of Seoul's future police officers, Kim Katherine! She passed her fitness test!"

Shouts of "congratulations" and applause came from the patrons and staff as Kate ran behind the bar to where Jungkook stood near Y/N and hugged him. "I can't thank you enough for introducing me to Minho and Seoyeon. If it wasn't for them training me, I don't think I would've passed the push-ups and the run. In fact, I ran my best time ever for the test!"

He squeezed her, then let go and stepped back. "All I did was hook you up with two friends on the force—you did all the work. I'm proud of you. Although, we'll miss you here. What comes next?"

Kate grinned from ear to ear. "Well, it's not official yet, but from what I was told, they're hiring four recruits to send to the academy to replace officers who are retiring this year. Seoyeon said my name was on the list as long as I passed the fitness test and my physical and psychological exams, which I did. I think the academy starts the third week in June, so I'll graduate right before Thanksgiving."

"So that gives me about six or seven weeks to find a replacement and have you train them."

"Yup. But don't jinx me. Like I said, nothing's official yet." She held up her purse and a small duffel bag. "Let me put my stuff in the office, and then I'll take over for you. Thanks again for filling in for me, Jungkook—I wasn't sure how long it would take, and then I had to run home to shower."

"No worries. Take your time. Everything's good."

As Kate hurried to the back of the pub, Y/N couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face as Jungkook eyed the drink status of everyone at his end of the bar before his gaze stopped on her face. He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

She shrugged and tried to remind herself she was not supposed to fall for the man's charms. He might be nice now, but he'd also been nice in school before he suddenly wasn't. She was just going to enjoy herself and have some great conversation and sex before she moved on.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

"You seem very invested in your employees' lives."

"I am." He leaned against the bar. "I'm proud to admit we have a low employee turnover rate here. Most of the staff have been with J' GRILL for a long time. Heck, when I bought the place, my assistant manager, chef, sous chef, and two daytime servers had been working here for a few years already and stayed on. It's like an extended family—and not just with the employees. I bet I know more about some of my regulars than their own friends and family do. It's like being a priest or therapist, without the celibacy or insurance paperwork."

"It's your outgoing personality," she said, which was true. The man had been friendly and popular in high school, but now, the words she would use to describe him were gregarious and boisterous. It was where everyone knew your name, and the type of place J' GRILL appeared to be.

Before he could respond, Kate returned from the office, tugging her ponytail to ensure it was tight. Smiling, she greeted several customers before turning to Jungkook. "Okay, boss, give me the lowdown and then get lost."

He grinned and shook his head. "I gotta stop hiring brats."