Lifting the bottle, he pours a few drops of water into the shot of whiskey before holding the glass up to the light.The water droplets spiral around the golden liquid like thin, smoky rivulets.
“The water helps open up the spirit’s flavors while reducing the burn.”Holding the glass towards me, his eyes connect with mine over the counter.“Take a sip.”
I hardly ever drink.And drinking with customers is definitely not part of my job description.
Here I am, sipping expensive whiskey out of Theron Rabane’s shot glass.His eyes remind me of the whiskey, golden and mellow with an attractive twinkle.No, wait, let me amend that.It’s more like an alluring glow.
This man is the whole package.If only he would take off those leather gloves so I can check his hand for a wedding ring.I have a rule never to flirt with married men.
And he’s right.The whiskey does taste better with water.
“Hey!I’ve been trying to catch your attention for over five minutes!I want a refill here!”
Belt Buckle has bypassed cheerful and gone straight to surly as far as drinking moods are concerned.
Smiling, I serve him a third double tot in double quick time.Ker-ching.That’s a three hundred dollar tab he’s just racked up.I hope he tips me in cash.“Anything else I can get you, sir?”
Immediately, Belt Buckle is all smiles.“How about a phone number?I’m parked in front.Y’see that big ol’ luxury recreational vehicle there?That’s mine.I’m not gonna lie, babe, touring alone gets kinda lonely.”
Ugh.No.Thank.You.Damn my brokeness.
“It’s company policy for servers to keep their contact details private, sir.”Company policy my ass, but it’s my go-to excuse for most things.
Darting my eyes over to Theron, I have to bite back a wail of regret when I see his spot is empty.The tot glass is untouched with what looks like a fifty- and a twenty-dollar bill trapped underneath.Did he leave the whiskey for me to finish?
“Excuse me.”Not sticking around to give Belt Buckle another chance to pester me, I lift the swing counter door and duck out into the saloon.
Pool tables, drinking tables, and the dance floor are semi-busy, but no one milling around is tall enough or jacked enough to catch my eye.No one with the same tousled tawny hair.
I know I’m not meant to do it, but I go outside anyway.His motorbike might be behind this monstrous motorhome that’s in my way.The night air feels refreshing as it bites my skin.But even after walking all the way around the RV, I don’t see any motorcycles—just pickup trucks, articulated vehicles, and some old model sedans.
For a moment, I struggle to contain my disappointment.
How did he manage to get me feeling like this?I’m no pushover.I’m not that girl who falls for a handsome face.And yet it’s not the night breeze that’s making my nipples erect.It’s my body reacting to Theron's memory.
I stand there in the middle of the dimly lit parking lot, softly touching my breasts.Throwing my head back, I stare at the moon as the delicate strokes stoke the pounding passion inside me.
Come back.
“Well, well, well.Did you change your mind?”
Belt Buckle’s sneaky approach makes me jump.
“Just needed some air.Gotta go back inside now?—”
I try to back away with my hands held out in front of me to ward off his unwelcome advances, but something blocks my way.
The motorhome bars my escape.Fuck my fickle fate.No tip is worth this!
“Get…away!”I scream, but the music inside is too loud.He's got my wrists in a vice-like grip.I try to break free, but he’s pinned me to his chest while pulling the motorhome door open.
This can’t be happening to me.This only happens to other people, not me…
And then he’s gone.I wait for someone to step out of the forest to yell “April Fools!”but the only sound is the steadythump-thumpof music.Belt Buckle has disappeared like a puff of smoke, leaving only a whiff of whiskey fumes behind.
Flexing my aching wrists, I dare to look around.After checking under the motorhome, I shout into the darkness.“You better run, you dirty fucker!”
The only reply I get is the rustle of scattered notes as they flap in the breeze while rolling slowly towards me.
