LISA
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My eyes drift to the entrance of the bar like they've done all night. I'm waiting for her. I'm eager for that shy smile to greet me and to watch her walk those sweet curves through the doors. I'm ready for Jennie to act like she's not affected by me, as all the while that blush creeps up to her cheeks.
Checking the clock again and clearing my throat, the faint itch in my throat that's nagging me does nothing but irritate me.
I've been waiting all night. She's usually here by now. I'm not used to these nerves or waiting on anyone. Not like this.
The faint hum of the televisions behind me and the chatter in the bar keep me company as I go through paperwork, while sitting at a table. James is back on bartending duty. Occasionally, I peek over my shoulder, checking on him and propping my feet up on the chair across from me, trying to relax. Acting like this is any other night.
James has a charming smile as he talks with a few of the patrons. His uncle's here, Frank, in his normal spot. I'm sure James isn't going to act like a little shit with him here. This is his last chance after showing up late yesterday and forcing Minji to handle all those boxes herself. He's on thin fucking ice.
My chair scrapes the floor as I shift in my seat, trying to get comfortable in the back right corner. I've got a perfect view of the front entrance. I'm right next to the end of the bar. It's the closest I could be to Jennie's usual seat.
Shaking my head, I wonder what the hell's come over me. Worked up over a woman. A woman I haven't even kissed. Haven't touched. A woman who isn't my girlfriend… Yet.
The papers rustle in my hands as I go through all the bills again. We're making a damn good profit and the return on investments are steadily on an increase when last year they were flatlined. I almost feel like I can breathe, like I can take a damn break, but I know it'll only take one hiccup to have something get fucked up.
Sitting up straighter in my seat and moving the soles of my shoes from the chair to the floor, I try to get this weird feeling to leave me. I need a beer. I need to relax.
I need my sweetheart to get her ass in here.
My gaze drifts to my phone, face down on the tabletop. My foot taps relentlessly on the floor. It's really not like her to be this late. It's almost eight o'clock.
As if staring at my phone will will her to call, I spend a long moment doing just that, debating on shooting her a text. She hasn't messaged me since the other morning.
I blow out a breath. It's not like any of this is real anyhow. It's just flirting.
Back to work, and letting go of all this tension, I lean back in my seat and grab my pen to tally up the bills in my record book. So far, so good. Everything's looking on point and within budget as I scribble down the amounts.
"Lisa, are these seats taken?"
My hand stops mid-stroke as I hear my mother's voice.
"She saved them for us," I hear Minnie say. Tension creeps up my back. What the heck are they doing here?
My notebook lowers to the table with a dull thud as I give them both a tight smile. I don't know what it is about my family coming to my bar. Part of the reason I built this bar was to get them out of my mind. To get the whole damn town out of my head.
But I can never say no to Ma. Or to Minnie. And the town fucking followed me here anyway. It's not like my bank account complains.
"Pull up a chair," I tell Ma. I lean over and let her kiss me on the cheek although my gaze darts to the entrance. Suddenly I'm grateful Jennie isn't here.
I can feel her lipstick smudge on my cheek, and I wait for her to look back at the bar before I wipe it off.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" I question them, not hiding the surprise and wariness. My eyes flicker to the entrance again, and this time it's a different kind of anxiety running through me. They saw her picture. If she walks through that door, I'm fucked.
"We just wanted to see you," my mother says in a sweet voice, but I don't buy her southern charm for a second. Setting her purse in front of her, both palms on the bright floral fabric, she adds. "Can't a mom just want to see her daughter?"
"You just saw me, Ma."
My mom smacks my hand playfully, "You know what I mean."
"Did you get your suit fitted?" my sister asks me, a real sense of urgency in her voice. Maybe this is just for the wedding. They aren't trying to worm their way into whatever Jennie and I have going on. It's just the wedding, I convince myself and I would relax but… no, I did not get my suit fitted.
I nod my head once, but I can't look her in the eye as my mouth opens. Fucking hell. I scratch the back of my head, looking toward the door again and letting out a sigh.
"Lalisa Manoban," my mother scolds me, "you need to get your tux fitted!" She smacks me on the arm, yet again, but this time with the tall menu on the table. Her lips are pressed into a thin line, but luckily I don't have to respond.
"It's a suit," Minnie says as she yanks the menu from Ma's hands. "I don't want tuxes." She says the last line as if she's said it a million times to our mother before and I know she has.
"I don't understand you, girl," Ma shakes her head, but there's a playfulness to her tone.
"Can I get y'all anything to drink?" I hear James over my shoulder, and I turn to take him in. He shouldn't have left the bar, but a quick look shows that it's just the regulars. And it's not like Minji is going to come over here. Everyone knows Ma and Minnie… and the rest of my family.
"No, no thank you," Ma says and pushes off the table, "we're having a late dinner down at Iron Grill." An immediate sense of relief comes over me as I realize they're leaving. "I just wanted to stop in and say hi to my baby girl."
I can't help the flaming blush rising to my cheeks. I'll be sixty years old and she'll still be calling me her baby girl, I know it. Ma and Minnie stand first, Minnie lamenting how she's starving with all this stress and that I need to get my suit fitted. Immediately.
Thank the good Lord they're leaving; standing up to give them both a quick farewell hug I finally feel relieved. And that's when I see Jennie walk in from the corner of my eye.
Fuck.
My heart hammers in my chest, and it beats even faster when Minnie follows my line of sight and squeals.
"No way! Jennie!" A wide smile accompanies Minnie as she practically runs to greet a wide-eyed and surprised Jennie a few feet from the entrance. Every red alarm bell goes off in my head. Minnie's got her in a hug before Jennie knows what hit her.
With Ma in tow, I scold Minnie, "Let the woman breathe Minnie?"
"So—" my sister lets a now-catching-on Jennie go when I stop beside them, feeling caught in a trap. It was a coup. I know it and I stare at both of them, my mother and my sister, letting them know as much, but neither looks at me, all of their attention is on my poor sweetheart. Shit.
"Hi there, Jennie," Ma's voice is lower than usual as she takes Jennie in. Her eyes travel down the blush-colored blouse Jennie is wearing, and a smile finally ticks up on Ma's face.
Damn right. There's not a single reason Ma shouldn't like Jennie. She's smart and sweet from head to toe. And looking to really settle down.
Ma should like that, even if I don't.
"Hi," Jennie looks between the two of them, visibly swallowing as she moves the clutch in her hands back and forth and then stares at me with a pleading look.
"Just go along with it, sweetheart," I whisper in her ear as I give her a small peck on the cheek, followed by a hug. All for show for my family. Just go along with it. Please. That little peck though. It does something to me. Something that lights up every nerve ending in me.
"Minnie," I say, looking at my sister and then Ma, "Ma, this is Jennie."
"It's lovely to meet you." Ma and Minnie say almost at the same time before Jennie can get a word out. The nervousness is coming off her in waves.
"Same to you," Jennie says in a gentle tone as she smiles shyly and bites down on her lip. "You both look lovely."
"So like I started to say," Minnie says quickly, "I know we have to go," she looks at Ma, giving her a look that says, 'we saw her, she's real, now let's go and not scare her off,' and then back at Jennie, "but I was wondering..." Her voice gets a little higher as she sways back and forth and looks like she's holding her breath for a minute.
Is Minnie nervous? What the hell does she have up her sleeve?
"Would you like to be my bridesmaid?" Minnie says quickly, and I swear all the blood drains from my face. My sister has lost her damn mind. Jennie's pouty lips drop open slightly in surprise and before she can get an answer out, the words rush out of my sister's mouth, "It's a small, intimate wedding. Low commitment. Really not a huge deal in terms of setting things up or anything." Her hands wave animatedly in the air as she continues, "You don't have to even get a dress. The girls are all wearing their own thing. I just really would love it if you would be in it. You mean something to my sister and that means the world to me."
Jennie's expression stays completely the same with the exception of her brows raising. I'd laugh if I wasn't mortified.
"It's less than two weeks away—" I try to cut in and give Jennie an excuse.
"Nonsense," Minnie says with a hurt look. "There's nothing to it." She shakes her head and gives Jennie those puppy dog eyes that let her get away with murder growing up.
"I don't have time to really…" Jennie swallows thickly and tries to say no, politely. I don't know why that makes a tinge of hurt settle in my chest. Of course she should say no. That picture we sent them was a lie.
"It would mean the world to me," Minnie repeats and reaches out and grabs Jennie's hand, which Jennie holds back. "I know this seems out of the blue, but it's just that Lisa hasn't had anyone serious in her life in so long and I really want to welcome you into the family. The numbers are uneven, too. Michael has an extra groomsman."
I close my eyes, completely embarrassed and mortified.
It's quiet for a moment, but as I slowly open my eyes I see Jennie slowly nodding her head. "I am honored and would love to."
"Yay!" Minnie squeals with excitement again, jumping up and down while hanging on Jennie's shoulder. Shit, I feel like an asshole for dragging Jennie into this. "I have a dress appointment next week if you want to come, you have to meet all my friends; they're dying to meet you. It's going to work out perfectly. This was meant to be. I just know it was."
Before I can tell my sister how ridiculous she is, she's dragging Ma out of the bar and as much as I want to tell them how crazy this is, I'd rather have them out of here as soon as possible. Jennie stands in place, holding onto the clutch like it's going to save her life.
"Lovely to meet you both," Jennie bids them farewell tucking a strand of loose hair from her bun behind her ear.
"It was nice to meet you too, Jennie," Ma responds.
"I'll see you soon, Jennie! Lisa give her my number," and with that last demand, called out over her shoulder, they're gone and I'm left alone with Jennie.
Her mouth hangs open a moment in complete shock.
"You alright?" I ask her warily.
"I just… did I really just agree to be your sister's bridesmaid?" Blinking rapidly, Jennie looks between me and the now closed doors to the bar.
A smile forces its way onto my face as I see Jennie look around her like she just got swindled.
"You did," I tell her easily.
"Holy shit," she says with a smile. "I need a drink… you're buying this time."
A chuckle leaves me, rough and low and I follow her over to the bar.
"You got it, sweetheart."
Given how my family can be, my sweetheart handled herself pretty well, but I don't know how we're getting out of this one…
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