"I'd like to play the winner next." She placed four quarters on the edge of the pool table.

Without looking up I knew exactly who it was. That raspy voice could only belong to one person. I lined up the cue ball and took my shot and watched as the ball easily rolled into the corner pocket.

"We're just playing for fun, not really interested in any kind of competition. Sorry." Larry protested.

I looked up at her as she stood silently staring at me provocatively. It felt like she was challenging me in a way. I could feel Pollys' gaze burning a hole into my back. She, along with Pete and Larry were waiting for me to politely decline.

What fun would that be? I smiled back. "I'm interested."

Four weeks ago I hailed a cab and gave him the address to some unknown bar I let my old college friends choose. Outside a bright multi-colored sign flashed "Shells" on top of a tall brick building smashed between a bagel place and a jewelry store. A group of hipsters huddled on the sidewalk laughing and smoking cigarettes and probably more. I felt like I had traveled back in time. Why would they choose this place of all the bars?

All preconceptions were out the window as I walked into a beautiful, eloquently decorated bar. To the far right were a row of pool table and across the room was a packed circle bar. Directly in front of me was a small stage where a band set-up. Several hi-top tables were scattered across the room. Damn, if the food didn't smell like heaven.

It was busy for a Tuesday night, so I stood on my toes looking for my friends to no avail. I made my way to the bar, still looking over my shoulder.

"What can I get you?"

"A margarita." I replied without looking.

A moment later I looked up as the bartender placed the drink on the bar. She had deep green emerald eyes behind thick black frames. I could get lost in those eyes for days.

"Do you want to open a tab or pay cash?"

I was sure she was talking to me but I couldn't take my eyes off her lips. She moved a strand of hair behind her ear, noticeably irritated in my lack of an answer.

"Listen lady I don't have all day! Tab or cash?"

Finally I begin rummaging through my purse. "I thought servers worked off tips?"

"We do!" She snapped.

"You would think considering you intend on me to pay your wages you wouldn't be so rude." I said looking down, but before I could look up She was leaning across the bar whispering in my ear."You're right. Where are my manners? Let me show you a thing or two later and we can call it even, huh?" If sex had a voice I'm positive that's what it would sound like. I placed a twenty on the bar, she snatched it up went to the register and on to another customer. As if she hadn't just caused me to come undone over here, she went on with her job.

"Piper!" I turned to see my classmates nearby.

For the first hour I nursed my drink as I played catch up with my classmates. The food tasted even better than it smelled when I walked in. The band played both original songs along with a couple covers. The original songs were actually pretty good for an unknown band. Most New York bars I had visited were either dive bars full of teenagers, or martini bars full of boring business men looking to get lucky. This place was a hidden gem, and the bartender was easy on the eyes.

"Who needs a refill?" said Daya as she stood from table.

"I do, I'll come with you."

This time a short red head greeted us at the bar. Scrolled across her uniform was the name 'Nichols'. She flashed us a genuine smile.

"What'll it be ladies?"

"I'll have a margarita, please."

"Make that two."

While we waited Daya filled me in on her and Johns wedding plans. Four years, and two kids later he finally proposed.

"Do you have a tab open, or is it cash?"

"Actually this round is on your fellow bartender over there." Confused, Nichols turned around, and before she could ask more questions we were gone.

"Did we just steal these drinks?"

"I'm on a payment plan."

I half expected to be escorted out by a bouncer, or for the red head to track me down and demand I pay for the drinks. Neither happen. Each time I approached the bar I was greeted with a margarita and a shit eating grin from Nichols. If I didn't have an early meeting in the morning I probably would have taken full advantage of the situation. Instead I loaded a very intoxicated Daya into a cab and wished my friends goodnight, before returning to the almost empty bar.

The green eyed thief had her back to me counting out her register as I noisily plopped down in a stool behind her. She looked above her into the mirror that lined the bar, caught my reflection and gave me a quick wink. I watched her lips as she counted in her head. I fought the urge to yell out random numbers. I decided to occupy myself as an alternative by staring at her. She wore a tight fitting black t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up. On the back the shirt read 'Shells' in a font that closely resembled the 'Cheers' logo. I wondered if that was intentional. Her skin tight black jeans hugged her body in all the right places. I let my eyes linger on the rose tattoo peeking under her sleeve. I wonder if she has more tattoos.

"Like what you see?" She turned to me placing her arms on the bar.

Right now, on top of this bar, screw these people, let them watch!

"Hello?" She chuckled waving her hand in front of me, knocking me back to reality.

"Who are you?"

"Me?" she gestured toward herself. "I'm the woman who has paid for you and your friends alcohol all night long."

"It's the least you could do really."

"What? I had a line around the bar and you were just taking…"

I pulled her across the bar by her collar. She was in such close proximity I could almost taste her. I turned her head and whispered in her ear. "Enough talking, what time do you get out of here?"

"Nicky!" She screamed not taking her eyes off me.

She rounded the corner carrying a stack of glasses. "Vause!"

"I need a favor. Close up for me tonight and I'll owe you one."

"Jesus, Vause get your life together."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yea, get out of here. Leave me to clean up the mess while you go off with blondie." Nicky walked away mumbling obscenities under her breath. The thief paid her no attention, in seconds she was grabbing me off my seat dragging me towards the back.

"Where is your coat?"

"Do you usually care this much for nameless strangers?"

"Not unless there is something in it for me." She said nothing just let out a low raspy laugh and fumbled with her key ring.

We walked outside and she started jogging up a plight of stairs attached to the building. She stopped halfway up noticing I was still at the bottom.

"Coming?"

"I'm planning on it." I brushed past her and stood at the top of the stairs in front of the large rusty industrialized metal door.

If she is leading me to my death at least I'll die looking at something nice.

She opened the door and instantly I was in awe. "Wow, do you live here?"

She dropped her keys and made her way to the kitchen. "No, it's a fuck pad available to all employees. Perk of being a bartender." She said sarcastically as she pulled out two rock glasses.

The exposed brick was decorated with pricey art work. The kitchen was updated with stainless steel and granite counter tops. The loft was expertly decorated with a blend of old and new. I dropped my purse and wandered around taking in the art work and warming up by the fireplace. She handed me a glass of what I hoped wasn't drugged. Under her hair I could see lettering on her shirt. I moved her hair out of the way to reveal the name 'Alex'.

"I showed you mine, your turn."

"It's Piper."

"Piper. I like it. Make yourself at home, I have to shower." She made her way down the hallway before yelling back. " Don't worry I won't keep you waiting too long." I listened to the shower run for a good five minutes before deciding to join her.

I knew Polly had invited Larry out tonight was the intention of him and I hitting it off. He was a nice guy, but within less than an hour I could tell he wanted the suburban, white picket fence, minivan kind of life. Maybe one day I would want that too.

Tonight though I had Alex Vause.