“That makes so much sense,” he laughs.
I back away from the table and head around the bar to grab drinks for the table that’s just waved me down for another round. I’m having fun.Actualfun, which is saying something because on a normal day, I usually feel empty.
I don’t like to put too much stock into new things, but something about this feels… different.
I hate it and love it all at once.
I’m trying not to doomsday it too hard, trying to keep the intrusive thoughts out of my head telling me that I’ll never see him again after tonight or that it’s going to end in disaster anyway, so what’s the point?
Except the only thing that doesn’t have a point is living too scared of experiencing anything.
So, I’m forcing myself to enjoy this without thinking about tomorrow or next week.
The later it gets, the more the regulars begin to thin. We did have an incident outside when a couple of guys left. It was weird. They came back inside saying they fell in the parking lot on aslab of ice, and that they needed to borrow something to get the ice off their cars so they could leave, but when Danielle went outside, there was nothing more than a layer of dew on their cars.
It isn’t even cold enough for ice anyway.
We called them a cab to get home instead.
Jasmine and Danielle tapped out around ten-thirty, with Jasmine reminding me that I’m opening tomorrow instead of closing. I sighed at the reminder. Close-opens are tiring, but I’m actually excited to be off early for once.
I can’t wait to put on a bunch of movies and lay on the couch in my underwear tomorrow.
Around eleven, Chester comes out of the kitchen as he always does and puts two to-go plates on the bar top.
“One meal for you, and one for Miss Pack over here,” he says, tossing the dog a piece of bacon.
“Thanks, Ches,” I say, putting them in a plastic bag.
Chester’s eyes glance toward Nick in the corner. “You okay? Need me to stay?”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t,” I tell him.
Chester grins. “Noted,” he says as he grabs his coat off the hook. “Just remember to turn the cameras back on when you’re done. You don’t want anything scandalous on video like Jasmine and Danielle.”
He has a point.
“What—No. I’m not going to… I would never… I have to get something out of the office,” I say, ducking into the back before he can give me a harder time.
“See you tomorrow, Juni,” Chester says loudly.
I come out of the back less than thirty seconds later, leaving me with two tables finishing up, and Nick, who’s already moved to the bar. I smile at him before checking in on my remaining tables, letting them know it’s last call and I’ll be closing up soon.They happily order one last round and let me know they’ll be out of my hair soon. I know the group of friends. They come in once a week for Book Club, and they always leave fifteen minutes before closing.
After giving them their last round of drinks, I take out the cleaning spray and begin wiping things down, moving the napkin holders to behind the bar, and tossing any garnish that looks like trash.
“Do you need help?” Nick asks.
“I’m pretty quick at closing up when I want to be, actually.”
“And you want to be quick tonight?”
I nod, unable to stop the grin on my lips.
Nick laughs softly.
“Sorry, I am really embarrassing right now, and you only have yourself to blame,” I say.
“I think it’s fucking adorable,” he replies.
