“Oh, yeah? Why? I’m here. Where are you?”
“My car won’t start.”
I feel deflated. “What? Why?”
“No, idea. I know nothing about cars. I’ve already called the garage and they’re going to send someone up to take a look, but it won’t be until tomorrow since it’s already past closing time.”
“Awe, that sucks. Want me to come get you?”
“No, I don’t want you driving up this mountain late at night to bring me back home, not after a night of drinking.”
“Well, you can stay at my place. We’ll walk home.”
“I’m sorry, sis. Maybe next time.”
“Alight. Bye,” I say, disappointed. I lean my head against the head rest trying to figure out what I’m going to do. I don’t want to go in there and eat alone, but I’m not in the mood to go home and cook either. It’s been a horrible week and I deserve a treat.
Screw it. I climb out and walk into the bar. Instead of opting for a table, I make myself comfy at the bar.
“Hey, Des. What’s got you out tonight?” Lilly asks from behind the bar.
I shrug. “It’s been a long week. I was supposed to be meeting my sister here for a wild night out, but her car broke down. So, it’s just me.”
“That sucks. Well, at least we’ll be miserable together,” she jokes with a big smile as she tosses her black hair over her shoulder. “What can I get ya started with?”
“I’ll just have a beer.”
She nods and goes off to grab my drink.
While I wait, I look over the menu, even though I’ve eaten here a million times and have the whole thing memorized. I usually try to eat healthy, but I’m celebrating one week of working with Mr. Billings. I survived one week. I can survive a steak.
I put my food order in when Lilly brings back my beer and I take a long drink from the bottle.
“Thirsty, huh?” a man asks.
I look and Mr. Billings is sitting in the empty barstool to my right. I roll my eyes and let out a long breath. “What are you still doing in town? I thought you would’ve left after reaming me a new one.”
He laughs and I think it’s the first time I’ve actually seen him smile. “Oh, come on. No shop talk. We’re off the clock. I’ll buy you a drink.”
“I can buy my own drinks, thank you.”
“Come on, Destiny,” he says, leaning closer. “You can’t hate me that badly that you won’t even let me get you drunk.”
“Who says I’m trying to get drunk?”
“Well, you’ve worked with me all week. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.”
I can’t help but laugh at that. “You do have a point.”
He lifts a brow like a silentI told you sobefore waving down the bartender. “She’ll have another one of those and I’ll take a scotch on the rocks. The best you have, please.” Lilly nods and goes off to fetch our drinks.
Mr. Billings looks back at me. “So, is this what you do for fun?”
I snort. “There’s no such thing in this town. All you can do is break up the monotony. But, no, I don’t get drunk often, so don’t worry about your employee being drunk on the job.”
He rolls his eyes. “That’s not what I was getting at. What have I done to make you angry at me?”
My eyes nearly bug out of my skull, but I sit up straight and turn to face him. “Okay, picture this. You’re in your office, eating your bon-bons or whatever it is you do.”
