‘No, please,’ Mary replied, as they got to the varnished wood counter. ‘Letmegetyoua drink. Whiskey?’
Luke’s head angled slightly to one side. ‘That would be correct, ma’…… ry, but I never drink before a gig.’
Mary’s eyebrows arched. ‘What, really? Not even to settle the nerves?’
‘Specially not to settle the nerves,’ Luke replied. ‘Playing andsinging is what I love doing… it’s what I was born to do. I love the excitement of it all and the nerves are simply part of it. They also keep me in check so that I always try to better myself.’
Mary was impressed by Luke’s answer, but she kept her cool.
‘But please,’ Luke insisted. ‘Let me get you a beer or something.’ He broadly gestured at the packed floor. ‘It’ll be like a welcome to The Whiskey gift.’ The wink he sent Mary’s way was so subtle that she wouldn’t have noticed it if she hadn’t been looking straight into his eyes.
Luke lifted his hand at one of the two women behind the bar.
‘Hey, Luke.’ The short-haired brunette bartender greeted him with a flirtatious smile. ‘Are you playing the same set as last Monday?’
‘Hey Josie.’ Luke smiled back at her. ‘Not the exact same. I’m adding a few new tunes, and a couple of original ones as well.’
‘Really? Wow, I can’t wait to hear them.’ The flirtatious smile stayed exactly where it was. ‘So, what can I get you tonight?’
‘Can I get a bottle of beer for my friend Mary here. It’s her first time at The Whiskey.’
Josie’s eyes moved to Mary. ‘Is that a fact?’
Mary nodded. ‘Walked past it many times, but this is my first time inside.’
‘In that case,’ Josie said. ‘We need to pop your cherry.’ She reached for the glass-door fridge behind her, grabbed a beer, twisted the cap off, and placed it on the bar in front of Mary. ‘Glass?’
Mary shook her head. ‘Nah, it tastes better from the bottle.’
‘Amen to that, sister,’ Josie replied, with a nod.
Mary reached for her beer, but Josie lifted a hand at her. ‘Hold on, we’ve gotta do this The Whiskey way.’ She grabbed a bottle of bourbon from one of the shelves behind her and poured it into a couple of shot glasses before addressing Luke. ‘I’m not pouring you one because you told me you don’t drink before a gig.’
‘That’s right,’ Luke confirmed, his gaze pinging to Mary for a split second. ‘But you can keep mine behind the bar and we can have a round once I’m done.’
‘We can certainly do that,’ Josie replied, the flirtatious smile back on her lips.
Mary nodded her agreement.
‘Talking about gigging,’ Luke said. ‘I better go get ready. I’m on in five.’
‘Yes, you are,’ Josie confirmed, quickly checking her watch.
‘So, let me get these,’ Luke said, nodding at the drinks before reaching into his pocket.
What he got in return was a resounding ‘No’ coming from both Mary and Josie.
‘I’ll get these,’ Mary tried.
‘That’s a “no” for you too,’ Josie stopped her as well. ‘This is your first time at The Whiskey, so this one is on us.’ She grabbed her shot of bourbon and raised it at Mary. ‘Welcome to the best little bar in town.’
Mary did the same and they touched glasses.
‘Thank you.’ Her gaze moved to Luke. ‘To a good gig. Break a leg, Luke.’
‘I’ll do my best.’ Luke smiled. ‘OK, I’ve got to go. You can come closer to the stage if you like.’
‘I’m good here, thanks,’ Mary replied, leaning back against the bar before pointing at the stage. ‘You go do your thing.’
