Six
E
As the day turns to night, Waylon and Harry head out. They aren't interested in how busy Rebar gets on a Thursday night.
Bella's had another two beers and hugs them goodbye. "Thank you for turning my horrible day around. It was nice to meet both of you."
"Thank you for making the day interesting, Iass."
When they're gone, I grab my clipboard and start prepping for tonight, making sure everything is stocked. Bella sits, nursing a Coke, and watches me work.
"How long have you owned Rebar?" she asks.
"A little over three years now. I opened shortly after my divorce was finalized."
She nods. "Do you like it?"
"I wouldn't be open if I didn't."
She smirks and plays with the bowl of peanuts Waylon was eating before he left.
I'm changing out a keg when the bar phone rings. Bella offers to answer it, and I grunt out a thank you.
"Hello, Rebar, this is Bella speaking? No, he's here. Can I ask who's calling?"
She's standing close, and I can't keep my eyes off her long pale legs. She's put her shoes back on, and they go on for days.
"Edward, it's someone named Quil." She holds out the phone with a knowing grin. Yeah, she knows I was checking her out.
I curse and take the phone. "Don't tell me you're calling out on a Thursday night at such short notice."
"Yeah, man. I'm not even in town."
"And you couldn't call earlier? Damn it, Quil."
He doesn't apologize, and I'm sick of his bullshit.
"You know what? It's fine. Don't worry about it. Better yet, don't bother showing up whenever you get back from wherever the hell you are. You're fired." I don't wait for him to reply. I just hang up, and toss the phone on the counter before I set up the keg and stand.
"Ouch," Bella says from the other side of the bar where she's taken her seat.
"He's a piece of shit. Looks like I'll be looking for a new bartender."
She nods and asks for another Coke.
I'm pissed at Quil. He was my only employee because I can only afford one at the moment, and now, I'm going to be stuck by myself this weekend. I start double stocking the bar because I know how busy we get, and I'm not going to have time to run to the back for shit.
Before the rush starts, I offer to pay for a cab to take her home, but Bella shakes her head. "You're crazy if you think I'm going to leave you on your own after everything you've done for me."