I gave him a half-hearted smile and shrugged. “Just enjoying the slow night. It’s a nice change of pace.”
Together, we shared a look around the large, dim room. Everything was either silver, black, or royal blue. Sleek. There were booths with tall walls for privacy lined all across the wall and high tables for those just wanting a quick drink with an old friend. Jazz music played in the background as vampire women dressed just like me, in skimpy uniforms and hi-ponytails, walked around servicing the customers. Normally, the room was full. Today was an exception.
He laughed and slapped the counter, straightening his back. “Savor it. They never last. You want a shot?” He was already reaching for a tiny glass, already knowing my answer. I looked around the dark room. No one needed my attention, so I scooted onto a black leather stool and relaxed my back. I watched the handsome vampire as he stared at his wall of bottles.
“Can I surprise you?”
“You always do. Just—” I put a finger up, and he waved me away.
“No cinnamon. I know.” He reached for the top shelf vodka and a dark brown bottle. He poured a little of each into my small glass and then added a spritz of lemon pop. He slid it over to me and stuck his tongue out playfully. I smiled, despite myself.
“It’s called, The Mind Eraser.”
“Oh? I don’t recall asking for that.” I reached for it and quickly tossed it into my mouth. The brown bottle had been some kind of coffee liqueur. It burned my throat, but I knew it’d make me feel better soon. “Not bad,” I told him, giving him the glass back.
“I figured you could use it. I’ll teach you how to make it tomorrow.”
“Yeah, what is with that?” I tilted my headtowardYorick’s office door. “Why am I being put on bartending instead of any of the other waitresses? I just started.”
“Probably because of your mouth.” He smirked. “You don’t exactly have a customer service voice.”
“What’s that mean?” I slid off the chair and put my hand on my hip. “I do fine with tips.”
“Yeah, to the guys who like sass. Everyone else shoots you dirty looks when you leave their tables.” He pointed out.
“If I’m so terrible, why do I still have a job?”
“Ginata’s recommendation supersedes everything. Yorick likes to keep her happy.”
Oh.
“That’s why I’m getting a raise?” I grimaced and glanced back at the room. Prue, one of my fellow waitresses, smiled kindly at me. She deserved the higher wage more than I did.
“I may have had an opinion when asked about who I wanted to work with.” A coy smile slid onto his already gorgeous face, and my stomach fluttered.
“Is that right? I feel so honored.” I placed my hand over my chest, right over my broken heart tattoo.
“You should! It’s a coveted position.”
“I bet it is.” It was then that one of my tables was waving to me, so I hurried over to service them. The rest of the night suddenly picked up, and when I had a moment to breathe, it was closing time.
“I jinxed myself,” I told Prue as we were sitting in the back, changing out of our uniforms and into our street clothes. “We were having such a slow day.”
I pulled off the rhinestone booty shorts and bra. Opting for my own less flashy underwear and shorts. I slipped on a loose black shirt and pulled the tie out of my hair, letting the messy locks fall over my shoulders. My black heels were replaced with sneakers, and I was ready to head back to my modest apartment.
My new friend laughed as she changed into a pink velvet tracksuit. She pushed her blonde hair back and stared down at me. I was the shortest person, so everyone had to look down at me. “If you relax too loudly, the customers sense it and come running. Ugh, but enough server talk.” We grabbed our bags and started out the front.
We walked through the upscale bar, now empty, arm in arm. “Word is Landon asked for you specifically to be his bartender partner.”
“I did hear that from somewhere.” Landon’s voice came from behind us. Prue and I paused, turning slightly as he caught up with us.
“Why is she so special?” Prue pouted. We kept moving, weaving through tables.
“Are you jealous?” Landon laughed, and when we reached the front doors, he opened them for us.
“A little bit.” She admitted. “I’ve openly voiced my interest in working with you a few times.”
“Yeah, but in what way?” Landon shot back.
