When I arrive, I hang my coat, noticing they’ve already taken down the decorations from the Halloween Bash. Now,Fall is in full swing. Muted leafy garland weaves between velvet pumpkins, on the glass liquor shelves behind the counter. I’m overjoyed that they didn’t skip right to the Christmas decor.
Connor emerges from the back, holding a stacked tray of clean glasses; Brittany replenishes napkins, while Garron and Dax take up residence at a table in the back.
Garron was carrying on about how the hook and ring game is rigged, and the real test of skill lies within darts. I think he was just being a poor sport about losing to his accomplice. It’s not the first time I’ve seen Garron throw a fit due to Dax besting him in a tabletop game.
As I approach the table, I realize another body occupies a third chair. My rubber boots squeak with each step, causing the hidden form to peek around the pillar.
Her assessing eyes travel down to my footwear then back up to my face. With a curling lip, she turns back to the table before leaning back into her chair.
“Jada… Back already?”
Her booted foot is elevated within one of the adjacent chairs. The look of distaste morphs into a tight, high-cheeked smile, as if the brief review was all in my head.
“No, not yet,” she responds, closer to a bad-mannered child. “I just wanted some quality company,” she announces, looking between the two bruisers at the table.
Garron smirks then winks at Jada before landing the little metal ring on the hook in one perfect swing. He spits his usual toothpick he carries in his mouth to the floor and hoots. Then proceeds to stick out his tongue at Dax. The man on the receiving end appears unfazed, easily giving his friend the middle finger.
I look down to the toothpick on the ground. Suddenly brought back to the sliver of wood I found near my bed. I tossedit, thinking nothing of it, but now I gawk between it and the nonsensical man before me. Could he…
“You look like that little girl from the salt container!” Garron shakes me from my train of thought. I regard him as he lifts his chin slightly toward the rack that holds my yellow, dripping garment. Dax leans forward, whacking Garron upside his head. “Ow! It’s a joke,Ax!”
A forced giggle tumbles from Jada; one I’ve heard too many times over the months working here. Men often take notice of her, it’s easy when you have ample cleavage, pouty lips, and long eyelashes.
“Just a few more weeks till I’m out of this damned boot,” Jada shares. “Till then, you’ll find me hobbling around this place. If I’m not at home watching Real Housewives.”
Eamon unexpectedly appears at my side, causing me to startle. “Hello, Cindel, glad to have you back. Are you well?”
I nod. “Yes, much better.”
I can't help but notice the way Jada sits up straighter and adjusts her shirt when Eamon is nearby. Is no one off limits for her? I mean, not that he’s off limits, but we have been on two dates now. I know we aren’t a couple. Getting to know Eamon more intimately, he’s different than I expected. Kind, familiar, and even special. She’s not good enough for him. Jada doesn’t care who looks, as long as someone is looking. That once icy center in me melts with fiery possessiveness. Eamon doesn’t seem to notice, plucking a speck of dust I can’t even see from the sleeve of his jacket. He turns to me, looking more like himself than last time I saw him, completely sloshed.
“Did you get the gift I sent over?” He asks me.
Jada’s once dreamy gaze toward Eamon, suddenly shifts to me with a look that could kill. “Yes, thank you,” I answered softly. I’m uncomfortable having everyone listen in on how my boss was courting me with gifts.
“And…?” He insists.
“Umm, I consider all the eyes on me around the table, some with jealousy, others with boredom.
“About the dinner invitation?” Right. The bottle of wine he delivered to my apartment with the note.
Is it hot in here? I feel hot. I push the stray hair behind my ear.
“Ummm…” I look between the four pairs of eyes on me. Jada seems beyond pissed. I don’t know what comes over me, but I stare into her eyes and answer, “Yes. That sounds really nice.”
He brings his hands together, causing a loud clap. “Wonderful! It’s all set. I’ll send a car next Monday, at six.”
I swear I see a vein bulging from the side of Jada’s neck and I’m fulfilled by the sight. Dax stands abruptly, causing the chair to nearly tip over, and then walks straight into the torrential rain, entirely composed.
Garron comments first, “Guy is moodier than a woman.”
Jada snickers at Garron’s comment, placing her hand on his, before slowly rubbing upward toward his shoulder. Her movements are intentional, methodical, as she continues laughing over nothing, fluttering her eyelashes while assessing the two men who are left. Jada is starving for attention. Garron doesn’t seem to mind the obvious play, letting her body remain on him for long moments before announcing he’s going to make a cash run for the till, since Dax is on the rag.
“Is he okay?” I ask Eamon softly, in regard to the man that just stormed out.
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. Needs time to work through his shit. He always returns sooner or later.”
I follow Eamon behind the bar as he talks, happy to get far away from Jada’s unsettling aura.
