Page 32 of Last First Date

I tried to pretend I was invisible, but it didn't do any good.

"Knox, it's me, Benjamin." He sat on the stool beside me without invitation. There were at least ten other empty stools, but he chose the one next to me.

"Hello, Benjamin." I nodded.

Alex looked down the bar with a smile.

"What is a man like you doing in a dump like this?" Benjamin asked.

Alex laughed and shook his head but kept his distance at the opposite end of the bar.

"I'm just having a beer," I said.

"Shit, a man like you should be in a better place than this," he said.

"Maybe, but I like it here," I replied and took another swig of my beer. He looked at me curiously, then signaled Alex for a drink for himself.

Alex moseyed toward us. "Can I get you something?" he asked Benjamin.

"I'll have what he's having," Benjamin said, nodding toward my beer.

"Coming up," Alex replied, pulling another pint glass from beneath the bar and filling it from the tap.

He set it down in front of Benjamin, who took a gulp immediately and grimaced. "Do you not have cold beer?" he hissed.

"Nope," Alex said and walked away.

I smiled and shook my head. Benjamin rambled on about his outdoor stores and how successful they had been. The monologue washed over me. I couldn't even say for sure what he was saying. It was all about him, him, and more about him.

Alex occasionally looked over at me but kept his distance. Benjamin was carrying on like he was my biggest fan. His adulation was annoying.

"Knox, let's get together sometime. We should catch up." While he talked, Benjamin was clapping me on the back. His voice was loud enough to draw the attention of the other patrons.

"I'll think about it, Benjamin," I replied, not wanting to be rude. I had no intention of seeing him anytime soon.

"Man, I got to meet that hot assistant," he said with a low whistle. "Talk about tits. And those lips. And her ass. What's the saying? More cushion for the pushin'. That chick was something else."

I clenched my jaw tight, holding back a retort. Waverly was not just an assistant and certainly not “a chick” for him to objectify. She was brilliant, capable, and stunning, both in her looks and her spirit.

"Her name is Waverly," I corrected him, putting more edge in my voice than necessary.

Benjamin looked at me, surprise flickering across his face. "Oh? Got a thing for her, do we?" he said with a chuckle.

"I am professional about my staff," I responded, resisting the urge to punch his smug face.

"She's not my staff." He smirked. "I think that makes her fair game. Woman like that would be very happy for a man like me to take her out and show her a good time."

"Stay away from Waverly."

"Oh shit." He laughed. “You have the hots for her. You want to keep her for yourself.”

The comment struck a nerve. “Shut the fuck up,” I growled.

Benjamin laughed. “Someone’s got a temper,” Benjamin teased, downing his warm beer.

“You’re a jackass. You always were.”

“Alright, alright,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “She’s all yours. Don’t get your panties in a wad. How about you hand her over to me when you’re done with her? Just don't use her too much."