2.
I don't get much sleep that night. I spend most of it tossing and turning, my thoughts all coming back to him. I'm having difficulty making sense of our interaction. Someone as handsome as him must have a girlfriend, or maybe even a wife. I desperately try to remember little details, like if he had a wedding band on his finger, but I'm at a loss. I was too focused on his charm and his humor and the way he made me feel. Also, I'd be lying to myself if I didn't admit that I was distracted by how attractive I found him.
Although I'm certain he must have some significant other, I also can't help but think that he was overly nice and maybe even a bit flirty. I stop those thoughts as I realize just how ridiculous I'm being. I'm sure that he's 'overly nice' and 'flirty' with girls like me all the time. He probably makes good money from us fools who are charmed by his smile. I've had this internal debate with myself most of the night. Telling myself that there was something there between us, but also realizing that I'm probably making this out to be something that it's not. My thoughts are interrupted by an alert from my phone. A text message from Jess.
Bella, I'm so so so sorryyyyyy.
Well, it's nice to know that Jess is still alive, I think to myself. I decide I'll go with that.
Well, it's nice to know that you're alive.
Please don't be mad! Mike surprised me with a weekend getaway and I must have lost track of time. I'm sorry I didn't text you.
To be honest, I'm not nearly as upset with her as I originally thought I would be. I mean, if she had shown up on time, who knows if I would've met him.
It's ok, I'm happy for you. But let's seriously get together soon and get this project done. You know I don't do last minute.
Is that a sarcastic "I'm happy for you" or a genuine? Bella, I promise we will get it done… stop stressing! How about Thursday? Same place?
Genuine. Thursday works. I'll see you there.. for real this time ;)
I add a winky face to show her that I really am not upset with her. I debate choosing a different location. I don't know if he'll be working Thursday, but if he is, I'm not sure I want Jess there to witness our interactions. I decide that I can always choose a different location if needed, and leave it at that.
I'm lost in my thoughts most of the day. I feel like I've been on autopilot, going through the motions of the day without actually giving much thought to what I've done. Before I know it, I'm in creative lit, my last class. I try to focus on the group discussions, but my mind keeps taking me to those green eyes. I decide I've had enough of torturing myself and mentally plan to go back to the bar later this afternoon. With this no longer weighing on my mind, I try my best to focus all of my attention on the remainder of my class.
xXx
I stand outside of the bar for a moment, giving myself a mental pep talk. 'Just go in, Bella. Either he's in there and you'll get to see him again, or he isn't and you'll save yourself from potential embarrassment. It's a win-win." Before I can talk myself out of it, I feel my feet walking forward and I am pushing past doors. As I make my way in, I notice the bar is a little more crowded than the last time I was here. At the back end I spot a corner of the bar that is unoccupied. It's a bit more secluded, so I decide that it's the perfect spot for me to sit and work on homework.
Once I'm seated, I pull out some flashcards but don't actually begin to study yet. I take in the room. Miss Bartender doesn't seem to be here today, which is a relief to me. Instead, there's another guy. He's a bit younger looking. He's shorter and has a baby face. I'm sure many would consider him attractive, but he pales in comparison to him.
The new bartender approaches, "Good afternoon Miss, I'm Adam. What can I get for you?" He smiles so warmly at me.
That's the way this is supposed to be done. The bartender is supposed to give you their name. You shouldn't have to guess or play games to figure out who is helping you. I can't help but be a little more annoyed that Monday's bartender didn't follow this protocol. Part of me wonders if he was trying to avoid giving me his name, but then that just feels silly. I shake off that thought.
"I'll start with a water, please." I smile in return.
"You've got it." He takes a moment to pour the water and then hands it over to me. "I'll be here when you're ready for something else." Another smile.
"Thank you." I take my water and try to look like I'm busying myself with my flashcards. Really, I'm just shuffling them in my hands.
When the bartender has walked away, I take a closer look at his uniform. For a moment, I hope that this will be my easy solution to figuring out my handsome bartender's name. Unfortunately, I quickly realize that luck is not on my side as I find that Adam has no nametag. It appears that a receipt still seems to be my best opportunity at getting his name.
'Or you can just ask him.' I think to myself. But quickly shoo away that thought. The receipt is the way to go. I begin shuffling my flashcards again.
At some point, the shuffling turns into actual studying. I'm immersed into my world of carbon-hydrogen bonds. I'm not sure how much time has passed, but my attention quickly shifts when I hear his voice in the distance. I glance up. He hasn't noticed me yet, but there he is. All smiles as he greets Adam. I try to position myself so that if he happens to see me, it wouldn't be obvious that I was staring. Once I feel confident that my books and body align correctly, I observe him.
He's much more handsome than I remember. He's got a sharp jawline and a bit of scruff to his face. He's also got this half smile that is probably more accurately described as a crooked smile, where one side of his mouth lifts up slightly more than the rest. It's been the most common way I've seen him, and yet I can't get enough of it. He must feel me staring at him, because he looks over and notices me. I continue to hide behind the safety of my books.
As he starts making his way over, I can feel my heartbeat begin to pick up. I'm sure I'm over thinking all of this, but I can't seem to calm my body. I take a moment to be grateful for the fact that he can't hear the wild way my heart is racing, and then I busy my hands with my flashcards.
"Back already, Isabella? What, were all the coffee shops closed?" he jokes.
I try to calm my body. "Wow, you're so funny. But tell me, do you have anything besides 'coffee shop jokes' in your repertoire?" I try to sound serious, but my smile gives me away.
"Absolutely, you just have to give me the chance to perform for you." he counters, with a wink.
I feel my face warm and look down.
"So," he starts, without missing a beat, "the usual for you?"
"The usual?" I ask, confused. "This is only my second time back."
"Yes. Your second time back. As in, a 'repeat customer.' So, my question still stands. The usual?" he smirks.
I roll my eyes, but then laugh and shake my head good naturedly. I'm caught in some kind of trance with him and am about to go with whatever he's saying, until I realize that 'the usual' is a Mojito… and I really don't want another one of those.
"No, no." I blurt. I compose myself before I start again, trying to play it cool, "Not today. I was actually thinking I'd try something different."
"Well I'm a bit shocked. You kept claiming the Mojito was so.. hmm, what was the word?.. Oh yeah, good. I don't know how I can top that." He's clearly teasing me.
He must somehow know I didn't care for it, but I won't be admitting that. "It was good, but I'm sure you'll think of something else. You are a professional, afterall."
He chuckles, "Can I at least get some input? Set me on the right path"
"Hmmm" I'm thinking. I haven't had too much experience with alcoholic drinks, so I'm not really sure what I like. I stick with generic ideas, "I like sweet and... Oh! Those cherries that they put in drinks. Those are the best." I smile, thinking of how I could just have a cup full of those cherries and I'd probably like them better than any drink he brought me.
I can see the amusement in his eyes. "Ok, we'll try a Tequila Sunrise today.. with extra cherries."
He steps away to make my drink and I notice the crowd in the bar has grown larger. I decide I won't be staying much longer. I'm sure he'll be too busy to talk to me, anyways. Now I just have to make sure he brings me my check once I finish my drink.
He brings me my drink and I thank him. He steps away to check on the other customers sitting at the bar. Once I'm confident he isn't paying attention to me I decide it's safe to try my Tequila Sunrise. I brace myself and I go in for the first sip, and then I thank the heavens that it's sweet and tastes mostly like orange juice. This drink I can enjoy. When I find there are five cherries in my drink, I know that I officially have my 'usual' order for my next visit.
As I'm getting close to finishing my drink, he makes his way back over to me. I expect him to offer me another, but he doesn't.
"So, Isabella, are you in a graduate program?" he asks, glancing down at my books.
Time for me to be embarrassed again. "No, I'm actually undergrad." I answer.
"Oh, I guess I just assumed with your age. What are you-"
"My age?" I furrow my brows, "You think you know how old I am?" I question him, not upset, just curious.
"Well, actually I do know how old you are. It's part of the job- alcohol, remember?" He points to my drink.
"Ok.. but" I feel myself regaining confidence, "actually your job is to just make sure I'm 21 or older.. you don't have to know my actual age. Don't you guys just have something like a 'cut off day' that gives the year someone needs on their I.D. to be 21, so that you don't have to actually do any math."
"Yes, we do. But I saw the year and was able to quickly figure out your age. I can't help it if I'm good at math." he shrugs.
"If you're so good at math, why are you just a bartender?" I immediately regret my words and brace myself for an unpleasant reaction. It never comes though. Instead, he laughs. The same, hearty laugh from a couple days ago that first caught my attention when Miss Bartender was talking to him.
With a smirk on his face, he questions, "Am I sensing some judgment from you, Isabella? Do you not approve of my bartending career?"
I sheepishly smile back at him, thankful he's kept this light. "Oh no, I never judge. I guess I was still just caught off guard by you supposedly knowing my age." I tease back.
He's about to say something, but then Adam calls him over, "Hey Ed, a little help over here please."
He makes eye contact with Adam and gives him a little nod, then looks back to me. "Let me know if you need anything else, I'll come back to check on you in a bit."
The light atmosphere from a couple seconds ago now feels lost. I relish in the fact that I got a piece of his name, but I'm not sure why this moment between us is unlike any of our previous ones. I realize that as it's getting later, the bar is getting packed. I take this moment as my opportunity to leave.
"No that's ok, I'm going to be heading out. I'll just take the check when you get a chance, please." I'm still hopeful that I'll get the rest of his name on that receipt.
"Adam actually started a tab for you, I'll send him over to close you out." he informs me. "Thank you for the laughs today, Isabella. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening." he ends with that crooked smile.
"Thank you Ed, I hope you enjoy your evening too." I add proudly.
Now is his turn to look a little embarrassed, although I'm not sure why. It makes me wonder if he was trying to keep his name a secret from me. He gives me a one last smile and a wave goodbye.