His silence stopped me mid-step. He had this look of complete confusion contorting his features. Finally, I couldn’t take it. “What? What is so confusing?”
It came out harsher than I meant, but it was already past two in the morning and I was exhausted. He seemed taken aback by my question and tone.
He looked at me carefully and simply stated, “I wasn’t hitting on anyone but you that night. Though I can see what you mean. I tend to get that reaction. Sorry for the wrong impression.” At that, he turned and walked to the door.
I mentally kicked myself. Wow, I really put the ass into assumption. Here was this genuinely nice guy and I was a total witch. I turned and called out, “Colin, wait…” I walked over to him. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to guys just being friendly. I made an ass out of myself. Can we start over?”
Smiling, I held out my right hand. “Hey, I’m Joleene, but everyone calls me Jo. Welcome to The Screaming Eagle, the best hole-in-the-wall bar around.”
For a moment I thought he was going to leave me hanging, not that I blamed him.
Then, smiling back, he gently took hold of my hand. “Hi Joleene, I’m Colin.”
His smile was so genuine, reaching all the way to his eyes, causing those cute little crinkles at the outside corners. The way his hand felt with the rough calluses combined with how he said my name sent a chill down my spine. It sounds corny, but how he simply said my name and held my hand seemed to stop time.
“Your cab is waitin’ buddy,” Dale called from behind the bar. And with that, the moment was gone.
“Thanks,” Colin replied without ever looking away.
He brought my hand to his lips and lightly kissed it, just as Bon Jovi sang the final line, ‘And lay you down on a bed of roses’.
“Good night, Joleene. It was nice meeting you. Maybe I’ll see ya ‘round.” And with that, he headed out to his waiting cab.
Honestly, that was all it took, I was in awe and completely smitten.
“Jo! Ya gonna stand there all night?” Dale called, pulling me from my thoughts.
Chapter 2
In the weeks that followed, Colin came in nearly every weekend, making sure to catch my eye when he came in. He would figure out where I was that night and ‘park’ himself where I would wait on him. I still laugh thinking about those nights. On the nights where it was crazy busy, I still made sure to stop and say hi, and when I did he would take hold of my hand and gently kiss it saying, “Hi, Joleene.”
I know I would smile like a giddy schoolgirl, but I didn’t care. Colin was amazing and everything I was told to look for in a guy. Kind to others, a gentleman, sweet, gentle, respectful even to those who weren’t so to him. He always seemed able to make me smile and blush, and the kind of guy I never really truly believed existed.
When Colin would show up, it was the highlight of my night. Though one time I asked him, “Why do you only order a soda?” His response took me back a bit.
“Honestly, I am not that big of a drinker. The night we met was a rarity. In fact, I think I have only ever drank like that one or maybe two other times.” He chuckled and bowed his head, looking at me somewhat from the side in that ‘aw shucks’ look.
I remember on one of my nights off, I was at my friend Layla’s place talking.
“Seriously, who does that? Who goes to a bar every weekend, orders soda only and wants to talk to me? I mean come on, what guy do you know who wants to be friends with a girl and get to know her before even asking her out on a date? Don’t get me wrong, Layla, I am so lovin’ it, I’m just not used to it is all.”
Grinning, Layla just sat there for a moment. Finally, she gave me her two cents,
“Well, the way I look at it, you can either accept the attention or you can tell him to bugger off. But if it were me, I would let things play out. Enjoy the attention and see where it leads. But that’s me, you do what you want,” she finished, looking at me as she raised her wine glass and took a sip.
Chapter 3
“Hey, Colin,” I grinned as I placed a beverage napkin with his usual Coke on top in front of him on the well-worn bartop. He returned the grin.
My heart began racing as it did every time I saw that crooked smile.
Calm down, Jo. He hasn’t even asked you out. Chillax.
“Hi Joleene. How’s it been?”
“Not too busy. Fairly steady. You? How was your week?”
“Long. Weapons checks and extra PT in the afternoon. Then briefings and death by Powerpoint, then more weapon checks. Boring really.” A corner of his mouth hitched up into his amazing crooked smile as he half chuckled before taking a sip of his soda and giving me a wink with his steel-grey eyes.
Goodness, why do his eyes do that to me? I’m sure I look like one of those coeds who throw themselves at anyone in a uniform. That’s why he hasn’t asked me out yet. Duh!
Smiling, and blushing, I mentally shook myself from my revelry, pretending to wipe down the bar and hoping my thoughts weren’t plastered across my face.
“Hey Joleene,
