Average height, dark hair, dark eyes. He spoke perfect English but with a Spanish accent. I didn’t have the nerve to ask where he’d come from.
He was older, obviously, than Beth and me. Maybe twenty-five. Objectively handsome. And by the way he greeted me with a large smile, it was evident he had no idea how much I loathed him.
“Scotch and soda. For my dad,” I said when he hesitated for second. Of course he knew my dad. The planet knew my dad. Most would jump to fill his every request. Javier was no exception.
“Can I ask you a question?”
He nodded even as he poured the Scotch.
“Do you know Beth Bennet?”
“Yes. She works here at the Club.”
Do you have sex with her in closets?
“Are you two friends?” I asked.
“I’m sorry?”
Do you fuck her?
“You know, acquaintances?”
“Uh, sure,” he said, sliding the glass toward me. “Do you know Beth?”
“We go to school together. She mentioned…”
“Fitz! What are you doing?”
I smiled at the sound of her voice and slowly turned. This was going to be delicious. She dropped a tray of clean glasses on the bar and Javier scooped them up and started placing them in some order under the bar.
“I’m having a conversation with Javier,” I said. “Obviously.”
“He’s working. The only conversation you should be having with him is regarding your drink order, which it looks like you already have in your hand.”
I smiled gleefully. “I don’t understand, Beth. Why don’t you want me to talk to your friend, Javier? We were just having a chat about you.”
She placed herself between me and the bar effectively cutting me off from the bartender.
“I don’t have time for this. I can’t be seen talking with the customers. You need to take your drink back to daddy and stay out of my business.”
“Why are you really working here, Beth?” My dad’s words spinning through my head. “Is your family in some kind of trouble?”
“You know my sisters are in trouble. Remember?”
“Not that. Something else. When is your father coming back?”
“Soon. Next week I think.”
“Is that true?” Because it sounded as if she’d just made that up.
“Yes, now will you go back to your table?”
I leaned into her so that only she could hear me. Something I knew was becoming a habit. “If you need help…”
“I don’t,” she said through gritted teeth.
“But if you did,” I said tightly. “I would help you.”
