Kira raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking in amusement. “And when’s the last time you picked up a magazine?”
I smothered a laugh behind the foam of the pint glass.That’s my girl.
But the man wasn’t deterred. He leaned in closer. “What’s a beautiful woman like you doing sitting here all alone?”
“Oh, I’m not alone.” Kira gestured toward me. “I’m waiting for him.”
The guy glanced over his shoulder at me. I gave him a tight smile. One that I hoped he understood for what it was: a get-the-fuck-out-of-my-bar smile.
“Really?” The guy scoffed, turning back to Kira. “That guy? The bartender?”
Kira took a leisurely sip of her drink, unfazed. “Do you have a problem with him being a bartender?”
“No,” the guy said quickly, though his tone was defensive. “But if you’re into guys who pour drinks, I could totally?—”
Before he could finish his sentence, I was there, sliding him a glass of water with enough force to send it sloshing over the sides.
“Hey there,” I said, all fake cheer. “I see you’ve met Kira. I’d introduce myself, but you’ve already learned I’m just the bartender.”
The guy blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. “We were just talking.”
“Talking’s great.” I fixed him with an unfriendly grin. “But you’re in my seat.”
“How?” he sputtered. “You’re the bartender.”
I checked the clock. One minute past my shift. “Not anymore, I’m not.” I yanked the towel from my waist and tossed it into the bucket behind the bar. Just to drive the point home, I added, “Kira’s busy.”
I wasn’t a possessive person by any means. Spending years never filling an apartment, never owning a place of my own, had taught me not to grow too attached to things—to embrace minimalism, take only what you could carry, and all that. But apparently that didn’t quite apply to unwanted strangers approaching Kira.
Unless…they were wanted? Insecurity curled in my stomach.
The guy raised his hands like he was surrendering in a hostage negotiation. “All right, all right, no need to get territorial.” He stood, smoothing out his jacket. “Didn’t realize.”
As the guy slinked off to another corner of the bar, I turned to Kira, who was shaking her head at me, though the amused glint in her eyes betrayed her.
“Your seat, huh?” Her lips curved into a smirk.
I shrugged innocently. “I work here. That makes all the bar’s seats my seats.”
“You know I could have handled that, right?”
“I’m well aware you can take care of yourself.” I dropped my voice. “But you shouldn’t have to.”
She let out a soft laugh. “I’m not sure if I should be flattered or not.”
“Feel whatever you want, as long as you know who’s leaving the bar with you.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a playful challenge flickering behind them. “Is that what we’re doing? Leaving?”
“It’s less about leaving and more about going somewhere better.” I grinned. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Okay.” Kira tucked a few dollar bills under her glass. “Lead the way.”
We didn’t have far to go, and I had already put in a pick-up order at Thai Garden, complete with all of our favorites. I knew the path back to my apartment like the back of my hand, and in a few minutes, we were heading up the stairs to the roof.
The metal stairwell groaned beneath our steps, echoing through the narrow alley as we climbed. Kira’s breath came light beside me, our shoulders brushing now and then as we carried the takeout bags between us. I held the door open at each landing, letting the scent of roasted garlic and basil drift up with us, trying not to think too hard about whether this was a bad idea.
The final door creaked open with a push, and we stepped out onto the rooftop. The air felt cooler up here, and the wind tugged at her hair as she looked around. I’d strung café lights between two rusty poles earlier today, their glow soft and golden against the twilight sky. A thick blanket was spread near the edge of the rooftop, anchored by an old milk crate and a stack of worn books.
