“Yes?” I replied in a sour tone as I turned around, not appreciating the grab at my skirt.
“I ordered a scotch and water over ten minutes ago.”
“Damn, I’m sorry. I’ll be back in a flash.” I rushed to the bar and spilled out my list of orders, including the scotch and water.
“Ves, are you okay?” Brad asked. “You seem frazzled.”
“I’m okay.” I knew he didn’t buy it. Brad knew me way too well.
“Well, you should learn to take the time off you’re given. I remember Joe saying you have the night off.”
“I know,” I huffed.
“Let the girls have their tables back and sit at the bar, have a drink.” His eyes locked onto mine. “Relax. You rarely get time off,” he urged, patting the bar seductively. “Come on, sit. I don’t bite… Or do I?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
A tiny smile escaped. “Okay, well, let me drop this off first.”
“Have you met the new bar back?” Myra swept in beside me.
“I haven’t had time to do anything but take orders,” I responded.
“He’s really cute. I can’t wait to formally introduce myself.” Her voice turned slow and sexy.
Myra was gorgeous, and she knew it. She had long, brown hair with just enough waves to provide a lot of sass. Deep, green eyes complemented her mocha complexion perfectly. She was about 5’9” before the high heels. Her body was lean and muscular. The thing was she didn’t work out, like, ever. I dragged her to the gym so I didn’t have to go alone.
“Well, that’s nice.” I grabbed my drinks and left.
“What’s going on with her?” I overheard Brad ask Myra. I didn’t hear her response, but I was positive she told him all about our admirer from the restaurant.
“So, what brings you out tonight?” Brad teased in his flirty, bartender's voice as I slipped into a bar stool. He handed me a Cherry Dr. Pepper.
“I didn’t want to hang with my sister tonight.” I purposely didn’t mention Jake.
He stopped what he was doing and gave me his full attention. “Shannon’s back in town?” I nodded. His eyes narrowed. He and Shannon used to be serious. They were engaged before she took off. “When did this happen?”
“She was at my house when I got home last night.”
He thought for a moment. “That’s a good thing, right?”
“I don’t know. She wants to make amends with me.” I rolled my eyes.
“Well, maybe you should mend your relationship.”
I let out a dry laugh.
“You two will be sisters for the rest of your lives.” He clicked his tongue as he moved down to help a few customers. The click of his tongue meant this subject was not closed, which was okay because Shannon would be at the bar sooner rather than later to rub salt into his wounds. She really crushed him when she left like she did, not saying bye to anyone. Two weeks after she left, he received her ring in the mail.
I sat at the bar, bored, sipping my drink. I’d go home, but I was Myra’s ride.
“May I have a seat?” he purred.
I instantly recognized that deep, sultry voice. My body warmed. A huge smile spread across my face. I turned around before I could take back control of my reaction. “Sure.” Great, I sounded like a gushing teenager. I frowned.
“What are you doing sitting all alone in a bar? Don’t you know what kind of guys you might attract?”
I contemplated how to answer. His tone was flirty, but his body was rigid. He was warning me. “Why do you ask?”
“I get concerned when I notice a beautiful, young lady at a bar by herself. You just might attract a person who is malevolent.” His pale green eyes were threatening. Pale green was different.
“Yes, I know. I work here, remember?”
He audibly exhaled. “I wish you didn’t.”
“What does that mean?” I laughed. “Besides, who would I attract that would make a difference?”
His eyes darkened to black. My body tensed. “Me.”
He scared me, but I wouldn’t let him know that. I allowed a controlled smirk. “I can take care of myself,” I retorted, taking a drink from my glass.
“I’m not arguing.” He raised his hands, surrendering. I watched his eyes lighten from black to amber and then back to green. Weird.
“What brings you out tonight?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“You,” he replied, very matter-of-fact.
“Yeah, right,” I laughed. “How did you know I’d be here?” I eyed him suspiciously. He couldn’t have known where I’d be.
“Let’s call it a lucky guess. Besides, as you mentioned before, you work here; seems like a logical place to find you.” His eyes all but said he had more precise ways of knowing for sure.
“What do you want from me?” I asked in contempt.
He let out a rough breath. “Let’s just say the verdict is still out.”
“What?” I was more than a little confused by his answer. “What kind of answer is that?” I worked hard at sounding flirtatious, instead of showing the frustration that boiled within.
“Vanessa,” said a small voice.
“Yeah,” I responded, but it didn’t seem like they could hear me. The voice continued to call my name.
“Aren’t you going to wake up and answer her?” he asked.
“What?” What kind of question is that? I’m at the bar. I’m not asleep.”
“Ves, wake up, honey.” This time I recognized the voice; it was Myra.
Having never fallen asleep in public, her words confused me. I could see Myra standing in front of me. I was awake. Couldn’t she see that?
“Myra,” I yelled. “What.” I was a little more than agitated. I could see them, and they could see me, awake. Couldn’t they? I felt
