Thalia turns to face the mirrored shelf once again, and this time, I can see her looking back at me.There’s something between us; I know she can feel it, too.
She moves towards the bar in front of me, preparing my glass once again. Two shots of Bourbon slowly add to the mix. A few drops of the bitters splash on another large ice cube. She moves in closer, bending over just right, showing off her fantastic tits.Oh shit, Thalia. She moves her fixed look to my glass as she slides it in front of me like she did before.
“One last drink for the road,” she utters as she leans in, pushing the glass closer towards the edge of the bar in front of me.
“If it’s anything like what you made me tonight, I will be coming back for more.” Her pale arms break out in small goosebumps at my whispered promise.She needs to remember me, and I will make sure she does.
“Let me know if you need anything else.” Her eyes flash with something unreadable as she stands up and walks towards the front end of the bar.
“Don’t worry, Sweetheart. We will,” Lee calls out. He turns his head to watch her walk. “So, what the fuck was that about? Are you somehow Casanova now?”
“I have no clue what that was, but I’ll be honest, I loved every fucking minute of it.” Another smile covers my face, andI hold my refilled glass up to my lips, tilting it back to enjoy the burn of alcohol as it slips past my throat.
“Welcome to the dark side, my friend.” Lee moves his glass towards mine, hitting them together and making the ice clink against the sides.Cheers, my friend.
The night is hardly over. The time may only be ten or maybe eleven. If I were ten years younger, the night would still beyoung.The truth is, I am in my thirties, and other than staring at the beautiful bartender in front of me, I have no interest in being here. Really, in the city at all, for that matter.
“Are you good to go?” Lee asks, scrolling in his phone through his list of text messages. He’s probably texting the owner of another bar he supplies.
“Yeah, I probably better get home.” I check my phone. Still seeing nothing from the wife. No calls, no texts. I’m sure it will be just me for the night. No matter, some alone time will do me some good.
“You think Ashley will be there waiting?” He asks with a grin, continuing to look down at his phone.
“Probably not.” I tip my glass back, drinking the remainder of the liquor. The small napkin that has acted as a coaster for my whiskey glass is replaced with a hundred-dollar bill. Later, Thalia will notice the little message I carefully added to the napkin I laid on top of the bill. If our interaction wasn’t memorable,thiscertainly will be.
“You think she was worth a hundred-dollar tip?” Lee smirks.
“She was worth that and more.”One last look for the night.Like clockwork, I find her hazel eyes at the other end of the bar. She meets my gaze; however, her normal look of bartender charm changes to one of surprise. I can’t tell if it’s from curiosity or if she is enthralled by me like I am her. Maybe it’s a little bit of both.
She stares as I grab my black coat from the back of the bar stool. My eyes move towards the glass, making sure she knows I am leaving her something…special.I give her a knowing smile as I swing my coat around my shoulders, sliding my arms through the black sleeves. I reach for my leather gloves and slide them back over my large hands, all while not interrupting our gaze.
“You got everything?” Lee asks, thwarting our nonverbal conversation. He tips back his drink, ensuring there is nothing left in his glass. He slides on his leather jacket and zips it up halfway, still showing the collar of his shirt.
“Yeah.” I follow him towards the glass door. “Right behind you.”
“Hey, what did you say to Thalia? In your little note.” Lee asks as we wait for the cab at the curb in front of the bar.
“Oh, you saw that. It wasn’t much, just telling her how great she did tonight.”
“I see. So, no number?” Lee lets out a short laugh.
“I’m married,” I smirk as I turn my head to face the large windows of The Neon Rose. She picks up my glass, and I watch as she reads my note through the windows of the cab. She’ll know soon enough what it means.
Until next time, Listener.
“Until next time, Listener. What do you think that means?” I ask Jace as he stands next to me behind the bar. He leans in closer, resting his chin on my shoulder. He’s a few inches taller than I. We both read over the note as he looks over my shoulder.
“I think it means that you have a new regular. See where it says ‘next time’? I think that means next time he comes in for a drink.” He slides it towards Janice, all while laughing and swaying his hips. Jace doesn’t know hownot toput his whole body into his motions. I guess it’s what the kids call “extra” these days. “What do you think, Janice? You think we have a creep going after our dear Thalia here?”
“I think it looks like he was just flirting with you, and you're just not used to it. Normally, you push guys away before they even order,” Janice confirms as she hands the napkin back to me.
“You’re sure?” I ask in disbelief. “Until next time, Listener.” My attempt at his deep voice is almost comical. “This doesn’t give you any suspicious vibes? I mean, the guy straightened a damp napkin before he left. Who the fuck does that? Hell, why not just give me his number?”
“Maybe, bitch, someone who is trying to write someone a message. Have you ever tried writing on wet paper? Hell, it’d look damn near like Swiss cheese. Not to mention, you’re intimidating as hell.” His face turns into a smile as he turns to face me.Maybe Jace has a point. I’m probably just overthinking everything.
It’s true, I haven’t had that kind of interaction in a long time. I honestly don’t think I have ever had one quite like the one I had tonight.Whatever the fuck it was.He knows I’m a fan, so maybe he and Lee are just trying to fuck with me. I’m sure it will be in their next episode.
“Hey, Alan, you remember that broad that thought you were trying to hit on her?”Lee would say in his deep, smooth accent. The one I always dream about.
