“Okay, this is supposed to be left on for a minimum of 6 hours , but your man will be here in just a few,” he announces, eyeing the ancient clock on the wall. “It won’t be dark, but it will still look unreal.”
“I guess I’m getting the diet version,” I reply, which makes Raj laugh unexpectedly. Homework complete. I made a genuine friend in Raj and can’t wait to show off for Arnie when he arrives at Cheeks later.
Chapter 18
Arnie
After a long morning that led into a slow, dragging early afternoon, I finally escaped to hunt down the nearest coffee cart.
Jamie had left a couple of messages informing me of his plan to start his homework I had given him as well as staying at work for his shift despite being told to stay off.
I feel for him. He’s not used to sitting around doing nothing. I’m also glad to see him taking the initiative by going off to pursue friendships at his work. They’re all nice guys; I’m sure they’ll be happy to welcome him into their circle.
I grab some almond biscotti to go with my latte, then head to my next class. I’m finished up here around six tonight; Thursdays always run late for me, leaving me exhausted, but tonight I’m heading to meet Jamie at Cheeks and that has my blood soaring.
I’m not sure if I’ll get there on time to see him dance or not, but I really hope I catch his performance. This time he’ll know I’m there, watching as he sparkles around the pole. Glitter falling all around him as he uses those tight muscles to put on a show worth being in the front row for.
I send off a quick reply to confirm with him I’ll be there and then open Instagram to catch up on what I’ve missed the last week. Euan is doing a flash art event at his tattoo shop, which looks fun. I didn’t see any tattoos on Jamie, but I wonder if he would be open to getting one.
I save the post for later and put a note on my calendar for the date of the event before tucking my phone into my bag and stomp towards the rest of my workday.
***
Cheeks vibrates with excitement when I walk through the doors. I was later getting home and changed than I had expected. Jamie’s slot got bumped—someone called out—so I missed his performance.
Shame to have missed his performance, but maybe a private dance at home could be on the cards for me if Jamie’s feeling up for it.
I make my way to the bar where a guy sporting a faux hawk with nothing but black combat trousers with suspenders on is making drinks. He winks at me and finishes pouring a beer for the patron beside me.
“Evening, handsome,” he smiles as he comes over to take my order.
“Hey yourself, a — “ He cuts me off.
“No, I love this part of the job. You’ve never been here before, so let me guess your order,” he says in a flirty tone. For a moment, I consider if Jamie might disapprove of this flirting, but I doubt this man intends anything other than to flirt for a larger tip once he serves my drink.
“Alright then. Guess away, but I don’t think you’ll get it,” I play along.
He taps his chin, leans over the bar a little to size me up, and then turns to look at the bottles on the wall behind him. There’s a mirror behind the shelves, and I watch him pull faces, stick his tongue out at certain bottles and then come to his conclusion, spinning around with a grin that says he’s the cat that got the cream.
“Moscow mule,” he says confidently, with two finger guns pointed at me.
“How on earth did you guess that?” I ask him, shocked. No one ever guesses that’s my drink choice. It’s always whisky or gin drinks.
“Well...,” he drags out the word before spotting someone behind me.
Jamie.
“Well, hello, did you tell this madman my favourite drink?” I say as I pull him against me by the hips. Jamie giggles a little, allowing himself to get between my thighs on the stool I’m sitting on.
“I might have gotten really nosey whilst bored at the house,” he confesses with a cheeky but shy grin.
“Here you go, you boys have a nice night,” the bartender slides my drink to me, and then he’s gone, off to terrorise someone else.
“I also asked Josh to stall you so I could get ready,” Jamie whispers in my ear, his warm breath making me break out in goosebumps.
“Is that right? And what are you getting ready for?” I ask, my voice dipping lower as I stand.
He shivers before blowing out a breath. Meeting my eyes, I can see the lust in them. We haven’t done anything since that scene in my office. I didn’t want him thinking I wasn’t being mindful of his situation, and I didn’t want to make light of how I found him that day in his dorm. Alone, frightened and in need of someone to take control, to take care of him the way someone always should have.
