“Yes,” she says. “I’m just confused about how you know that.”
“I pay attention,” I say, winking.
She takes the cocktail from me and rolls her eyes. “Thanks,” she mutters under her breath.
The look I’m used to her making when she sees me appears. It’s official. She hates me. Why did I have to wink like a fucking dumbass?
Pull yourself together.
“I’ll be right back,” I blurt out, turning and heading back toward the bar to get the rest of the beers.
I gather the three remaining drinks and am about to turn around when Frank stops me.
“Hey, T. You gotta minute?” he asks.
“Yeah, what’s up dude?”
“Jerry’s here and wants to talk to you.” He nods to the other side of the bar to where the owner of The Local, Jerry, stands. The T-shirt he’s wearing is worn, and I can tell the screenprint of The Local’s logo is starting to peel. He’s a good dude, but despite being the owner, he doesn’t come around much, unless required. Jerry lifts his chin in my direction.
My mind jumps to the conversation he and I had a month ago. The one where I asked if he’d ever consider selling The Local, and he said he’d think about it. I haven’t seen him since, and if he’s wanting to talk, maybe that means he’s considering my offer.
“Yeah, let me just bring these beers to my friends, and I’llbe right back.” I grab the bottles, run back to the table, and leave again without a word.
I make my way around the bar to where Jerry is standing.
“How’s it going?” I ask.
He glances around. “It’s always a good night when we’re busy. You got a minute to chat in my office?”
“Definitely. It’s not like you to be here. Everything good?” We move out of the bar and through a door into a small room. Papers are scattered around a small desk, and a couple kegs sit in the corner.
“Oh, yeah, yeah,” he begins, sitting in the folding chair behind the desk. “I guess I should just come out and say it. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you and I talked about, and if you're still interested, I’d be interested in selling this place.”
I stare at him, surprised. “Oh, wow.” I run my hand through my hair.
“Sorry for the blunt delivery, but I don’t know how else to say it.”
“I’ll be honest. When I brought it up, I didn’t realize you were so close to selling.”
He nods. “This place means a lot to me, and if I’m going to sell, then I want it to go to someone who will love it as much as I do, and I have no doubt that’s you.” His dark brown skin creases at the corners of his eyes as he chuckles. “You are one of my best customers, and I’m not getting any younger.”
My mind whirls with ideas of where I could take this place. I could finally have a project that was all mine—a project where I could really let my creativity run wild. And, the best part would be that I’d get to run it all by myself. No more answering to my dad or brother. No more getting left out of meetings or trying to prove myself to people who are impossible to impress.
Fuck it sounds nice. It sounds freeing.
A conversation I had with my grandfather interrupts mythoughts, and I wish my life was simpler. I wish I didn’t feel obligated to stay despite how they treat me. I wish I didn’t want their approval so badly, and owning a bar would never make them proud.
“I don’t need an answer tonight, but just promise me you’ll think it over.” He puts out his hand to shake mine. “When you’re ready to talk about it, let me know, and we can meet and discuss the fine print.”
I take a long drag from my beer. “I will.”
“Good. Let’s keep this between you and me for now?”
“For sure.”
I follow him out of his office, still a little stunned. Turning, I walk back to my friends and find all of them staring at me. My heart skips a beat when I spot Wren, and I decide to focus on her. I can think about possibly becoming a bar owner tomorrow.
“What?” I ask, approaching the table.
