afternoon all,hope you are all well. thank you to all that have favorite and followed. thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my story, it really means a lot. there is the next chapter for you. hope you all in enjoy. please review.

Chapter 4

January 18

On the other side of the bar, carol was dealing with thoughts of her own. The moment he looked up, and their eyes met, she felt her cheeks get warm. There was something endearing about the way he'd been chewing his thumbnail…almost as if he were nervous, and he looked at her…carol knew that she'd never seen eyes like his. They were a cold, blue-grey, like ocean water…and seemed to cut right through her. In an instant, a total stranger managed to get her flustered and she was forced to don a mask in order to maintain her composure. She'd smiled, asked him what he wanted, and then took a moment to get herself under control when she turned away to find the bottle she needed.

Lord. What is wrong with me?

She took a cleansing breath as her fingers closed around the neck of the bottle.

I can do this… he's just another customer…

Carol decided that she was being ridiculous and pushed the foolish thoughts from her mind as she turned around and moved back towards the counter. She unscrewed the lid on the bottle and poured a generous serving into the tumbler she'd just finished drying. Sliding the glass in his direction she smiled. "whiskey, straight up. I was hoping you were gonna give me more of a challenge."

He licked his chapped lips and took the glass, clutching it loosely.

"it's my fist night." she added, unsure of why she was bothering to make conversation with someone who clearly wanted to be left alone.

Daryl glanced at her, his fingers tapping the side of his glass. "how do ya like so far?"

She was leaning on the counter as a nervous chuckle escaped her. "it's alright."

Before either of them could say anything else, a cry rang out over the corner of the bar.

"carol! I need ten jager bombs over here!"

She looked up to see Glenn standing near a crowded table; he was waving to get her attention and she waved back, giving him a thumbs up. "I got it! be bright there!" she gave Daryl another smile and moved to leave. "duty calls. I'm carol by the way. Let me know if you need anything."

He nodded to her. "I'm Daryl."

"nice to meet you Daryl. Enjoy your drink."

There was a faint smile forming on his mouth and he raised his glass to her. "I plan on it."

As carol turned away and searched for the shot glasses she needed, she could feel her heart beat speeding up.

Get it together…you have a job to do…

After she had ten shot glasses lined up, she grabbed a bottle of Jägermeister and started pouring. She was doing fine until realization struck her. Pausing after she'd filled the last glass, carol turned suddenly and moved back towards the counter where Daryl was slowly sipping from his glass. She felt absolutely ridiculous as she clasped her hands and stared at him. "I should've asked before, but...would you like to start a tab?"

Daryl set his glass down and glanced over his shoulder. He could see his brother sitting at a small table with two women. Merle had an arm draped around one girl and he was laughing his ass off at something she'd said. "see that asshole over there?" said Daryl, pointing in his brother's direction.

Carol chuckled and nodded.

"whatever I drink. Just put it on his tab. That's Merle Dixon." When Daryl turned back around to face carol, there was smirk on his mouth.

The look on his face was making carol blush and she had to bite the corner of her lip. "alright. Merle it is." She chuckled as she turned away to resume her task. While she was arranging tall glasses, and pouring beer for the Jager bombs, Andrea came to stand beside her.

"how's it going? I see you made it through your first hour."

Carol smiled at her. "so far so good. It's been a little hectic, but nothing I can't handle."

Andrea looked closer and noticed the blush on her cheeks. "my, my, my… looks like somebody done got you hot and bothered." She folded her arms across her chest and waited for a response.

Carol swallowed hard, ignoring the statement. She reached up to wipe a bit of sweat from her brow and called out over the noise. "these are good to go!" she waved to Glenn, beckoning him. The young man hurried towards the bar and carol helped him to load all ten Jager bombs onto a circular tray. He mumbled "thanks" and rushed back towards the large group, Andrea nudged carol with her. "so? You gonna tell me who it is? I know them eyes of yours been wandering."

Carol sighed and cast a subtle glance over her shoulder at Daryl. Andrea followed her gaze and grinned. "lord have mercy but ain't that the prettiest damn thing I've seen in a long while."

Carol blushed harder. "Andrea!"

"what? I'm just saying what you're thinking is all."

It was nine thirty and things were in full swing at the bar. Patrons came and went, some stumbling through the doors…some leaving with people they hadn't known an hour prior…but they all seemed to be in good spirits. Despite the laughter and loud music that filled the building, no one was enjoying the evening more than carol.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd had so much fun. Andrea continued to crack jokes, making laugh so hard that tears would form at the corners of her eyes. Glenn was amazing. Carol could've sworn that boy was doing the work of at least three people but he never seemed to get overwhelmed. He was quick on his feet and always ready to help when carol had questions. As the night wore on, she began to realize that he was glad for her presence as she was for his, and they worked well together.

She was taking everything in, the smells, the sounds…to most people, she knew that the bar would seem noisy, crowded…but to carol, the sound meant life…joy. She was surrounded by people who were enjoying themselves and it was incredibly refreshing. She felt useful, almost confident, as she took orders, mixed drinks, and made small talk with the customers. Her cocktails were met with more approval than she could've hoped for and she couldn't stop the smile on her face as she continued to tuck tips into the pocket of the small, black apron tried around her waist. There was never a dull moment and carol wouldn't have it any other way.

The music was loud, the tips were good, and customers were friendly, but what really sold the whole thing for her was Daryl. He was easy on the eyes and easy to talk to. He'd ordered a second glass of whiskey and hung around the bar for a while, occasionally offering up bits of conversation when carol happened to check on him. After a while he abandoned his bar stool. He clutched his glass and gave carol a small smile before turning to leave. She bit the corner of her bottom lip, and tried not to let her disappointment register on her face. She was leaning on the counter and could feel a blush spreading on her cheeks as he made his way towards the table where his brother was waiting. Carol had to admit…she hated to see him leave the bar but she definitely enjoyed watching him walk away. She'd only been able to admire him for a few seconds before someone was calling her name she turned to see Lori and rick.