–Me: In a place called “not the office.” It’s the weekend, and you specifically said we’d work until noon.
–Grant: That doesn’t mean you can walk out without telling me.
–Me: I followed your directive from yesterday.
–Grant: Irrelevant.
–Me: Would you like me to announce when I need to go to the bathroom as well?
–Grant: Yes.
Petty shitbag. I know he wants to get rid of me. For some reason he’s decided what happened during our sophomore year was terrible, andI’m to blame. I don’t know how. Maybe there was another part of the bet that I inadvertently ruined by leaving the campus. Because of that, he might’ve had to streak too. His pride wouldn’t have been able to handle it.
I don’t give a damn what his deal is, but I’m not going to waste more of my precious free time answering his ridiculous texts.
I put my phone into my purse and go into the bar. When I store my belongings in the employee locker and come out to the front, Zack waves. “Hey.”
“Hi. I didn’t know you’re working Saturday evening too.” He normally covers weekdays and Sundays.
“Mick quit, and so I’m picking up this shift.”
“He quit? How come?” There are some dirty glasses in the sink, and I start washing them before it gets too busy. They need to be hand-washed so they look crystal clear. “I thought he liked it here.”
“He eloped. And moved.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.” Zack begins to dry the glasses I lay on the rack next to the sink and place them up on the shelves. “Some chick he met in Vegas.”
That sounds even more unbelievable. “How long have they been together? He never said anything about dating someone.”
“No, they just met. He said it was love at first sight.”
“Wow.”
“Brave, huh?” Zack says. “I wouldn’t have the guts.”
“More like reckless. This is why people get divorced so much.”
He gives me a vaguely disappointed look. “Kinda negative thinking there.”
“Not negative, practical. You can be cautious and still get screwed over.” Just like what Grant did to me. And I thought I was so careful back then. Obviously, I wasn’t vigilant enough.
“Yeah, but sometimes things work out if you just give them a chance,” Zack says. “There’s a reason so many fairytale couples fall in love at first sight.”
“Sure, in fairytales.” I laugh. “You’re such a romantic. But your girlfriend’s lucky to have a boyfriend like you.” I met the pretty redhead a few times when she came to the bar.
He concentrates on wiping a glass. “We broke up.”
“Oh, no.” I look at him with concern. “The instalove didn’t work out?”
He shrugs. “She, um…couldn’t be the princess I need.”
“You’re just picky.” He hasn’t been able to stay with the same girl for more than half a year. It’s weird, because he’s a really nice guy, and the girls he’s been involved with seem so sweet.
“I think it’s more like, I know what I want, and they’re not it.”
“Then why don’t you go get it? Or, you know, her.” If I were him, I would. Although he works at the bar, he doesn’t have to. His grandfather left him a modest trust, which is enough to keep him comfortable as long as he isn’t crazy with his spending. He says he likes bartending, but he never seems that thrilled to be dealing with customers. There has to be something else he wants to do with his life.
