I swallow the thick lump in my throat. I’m a ball of confusion at the moment. Are they gay? Are they bi? I know I’m straight. Am I imagining things altogether?
I have no idea what to make of the odd couple sitting across from me. All I do know is that they’re gorgeous, and I would gladly take either home.
Maybe I am a floozy. I bite my lip.
“I’m here!” Shayna rushes in grabbing everyone’s attention. The bubbly blonde darts behind the bar and stashes her bag underneath the cabinet. “I’m sorry I’m late. Holy crap! What did you do to yourhair?”
“I cut it,” I state the obvious. “And what I did to my hair isn’t important. Where were you?”
“I got caught up.” She giggles uncontrollably, and I automatically know what that laugh means.
“What’s his name?” I sigh as I glance at the clock. One minute to nine. Could she cut it any closer?
“What makes you ask that?” She fixes the cocktail napkins and clears away two empty plates sitting in front of Shane and Chase.
“Because I’ve known you way too long, and there’s only one thing that turns you into a tardy, tittering tramp.”
“That was quite a word combo,” Chase cuts in.
“I like to read,” I respond rapidly.
“And nag.” Shayna escapes into the kitchen before she can be further ridiculed.
“I don’t nag! I manage! I’m the manager! That’s my job!” I yell at a ghostly swinging door.
I turn to Shane and Chase, who are both staring me down.
“What are you lookin’ at?”
“Nothing,” they both grumble under their breaths with what I think is a hint of amusement.
I lean on the edge of the bar and examine both of them thoroughly.
“What?” Shane questions.
“Nothing,” I respond wily, sizing them up. “I’m just trying to figure you two out.”
“Come out from behind that bar, and you can analyze us all you want.” Chase pops the last fritter into his mouth, goading me.
Shayna emerges from the kitchen, and I smile. “My shift just happens to be over.”
“Yes, be gone with you,” she shoos me away. “I can handle it from here.”
“You should have been handling it an hour ago. I still need to set up the floor, and everyone is practically here.”
“Moving a few tables and hooking up your iPod hardly sounds like setup,” she sneers.
“I have to light candles, too.” I stick my tongue out at her as I leave the bar.
“You two seem very close,” Shane observes.
“Yeah, we’re like one big fat fucking family here.” I smile obnoxiously at her. He and Chase both chuckle. “I’ll be right back.”
“Good, because this barstool has your name on it.” Chase reaches over and pulls an empty stool between him and Shane.
Oh?
“Keep it warm for me.” I can’t control my response.
