Part One
Soft music wafted through the bar. Wednesdays were never too busy so it was pretty relaxing for Erik, Raven and Alicia and I. We served the occasional beer and wiped down the tables and glasses.
"So what are your plans for your day off tomorrow?" Erik asked. I shrugged.
"Nothing too wild. I thought I might just relax, watch some movies, maybe go to the park," I replied finishing up with my tray of glasses. I headed over to the other end of the bar and stuck them on the bottom shelf.
"Cori," a familiar voice called. I peeked over the counter and swallowed a groan.
"What do you want James?" I asked the gangly, mousy haired man. He smiled and came right up to the counter.
"It's good to see you," he said as I straightened up. I forced a smile. James was persistent. I had tried turning him down gently but nothing seemed to work on the guy.
"Look James, I have work to do," I told him. I moved away but his hand clamped down on my wrist. I tugged but his fist was too tight.
"Let me go James," I said forcefully.
"Look, all I want is a date," he murmured.
"And I've told you know. Now let me go," I snapped yanking hard. My wrist slid across the bar but it was still in his grip.
Suddenly a hand landed on James' shoulder. A tall broad-shouldered man was looming over him. He had short dark brown hair, silvery-green eyes and wore an expensive looking suit.
"Let her go," he growled in a deep powerful voice. James squeaked and released me like I was burning.
"Sorry," he yelped scurrying away. I rubbed my wrist and sighed.
"Thank you," I murmured. The man looked down at me and I suddenly quailed. The man had to be about 6' 4" and I was a whopping 5' 3". He loomed over me.
"Who was that guy?" he asked.
"James, he doesn't accept no for an answer," I muttered darkly.
"I can arrest him for you if you press charges," he told me. I raised an eyebrow and he twitched aside the folds of his jacket. I saw the gleam of a badge, Baltimore police.
"Wow," was all I could think to say. He arched an eyebrow and let the jacket fall.
"That's "wow" worthy?" he asked with a smirk.
"Well I just don't meet cops very often. There isn't exactly a police station close by," I replied. He slid onto the barstool. I felt more comfortable now that he was the same height as me.
"You're right. I don't work around here but I do live around here. My apartment is three blocks south of here," he told me.
"Funny, mine is three blocks north." I was rewarded with a small twitch of his lips. I smiled back at him.
"So, since you just rescued from James, I think you deserve a drink," I told him playfully, "What'll you have?"
"Scotch," he replied. I nodded and grabbed our best bottle. I poured him and myself a tumbler. We clinked our glasses together and took a sip.
"So what's your name?" I asked. He looked up, the light making his eyes even more silvery.
"That's classified information," he replied. I let out a small giggle but the seriousness of his tone and face stopped me cold.
"Oh well, my name isn't classified. It's Cori. Technically my full name is Coriandra but I hate that name."
"Coriandra?" he asked with another arched eyebrow.
"It comes from the name Coriander. It's an herb my mom named me after. She thought Coriandra sounded more feminine," I explained. He nodded downing his drink. He held it out for a refill. I shrugged and refilled the glass.
"Well when you feel like being less cryptic, I'll be working over there," I said finishing my drink. I gave him one last smile and headed over to where Erik was serving a guest.
"Who was that?" he asked with a teasing glint in his eye. I punched his shoulder.
"He's just a cop who got James to back off," I replied.
"Aw that was nice of him," Erik teased. I rolled my eyes and started helping customers.
The bar closed at three and we started cleaning up.
"Hey, that guy is still here," Erik said poking my ribs. I stuck my tongue out at him and went to the barstool.
"Hey, we're closing down," I told him leaning against the counter. He nodded and stood up.
"Well it was nice meeting you Cori," he said gulping down the last of his drink. I straightened.
"Nice to meet you too Mr. Classified," I replied. He headed for the door and I grabbed his glass to wash.
"By the way," he called. I glanced up and saw a small smile on his lips, "My name's Marcus."