Page 10 of The Bartender Special

Anger? Disbelief? Jealousy?

Fuck it.

He threw down his dishrag and rode the adrenaline that had already entered his system to the booth at the center of the day’s dramas.

Carol saw Jack coming first, Benny second. The latter jumped up like he was ready to slap a hand over his mouth again.

But Jack was a man with half an idea and a whole lot of feelings he refused to address.

He wasn’t even sure what he planned to do next but, he decided in that moment, whatever he did, he would do it big.

Whether it was a good big or a big disaster, only time would tell.

Even before he could finish baking his idea, Jack went all in.

In front of both Robertson twins, the rest of Cassidy's Place, and God, Jack took Benny De Carlo's face in his hands and kissed him for every dime and penny he was worth.

THREE

It was like one of those patterned posters with a hidden image buried in its madness. Where, when first looking at it, all you could see were a lot of repeating shapes and colors. A bunch of bright, neon nonsense that made you a little dizzy. But if you kept your eyelids open and stared?

Suddenly, a hidden image came through.

Something that had been there all along, just beneath the surface. Now realized because you took the time to focus.

And once you saw that picture?

It was nearly impossible to see anything but that.

That's how Benny felt the moment after kissing Jack Knox.

Logically, Benny knew the bartender was attractive before his lips had crashed into his. Physically, Benny had known it too. He had become a bit nervous when talking to Jack, after all. And wasn’t that a cue to the choir that Benny had at least subconsciously acknowledged the man had some key notes he appreciated? So, after, when Benny had placed his hands against Jack’s chest to steady himself through the process of the world becoming chaos and then becoming Jack’s rugged and cut jawline, it only felt right to note the hardness of the man’s body beneath his hands.

Who didn't like the classic aloof bartender type?

Topped off with messy, dark bedroom hair and a set of hazel eyes that belonged in an expensive flower arrangement, and a constant hint of a smirk at the corner of his lips? The same lips that felt electric when they crashed into yours? Add in a five-o’clock shadow that felt like a choice rather than a forgotten chore and the entire visual package of Jack zipped into clarity.

Benny wasn't about to say he disliked any of that.

No sirree Bob.

He, in fact, found out how much of a fan of this re-imagined picture he was when Jack broke their surprise kiss and left him wanting more right then and there, lips parted and face warm.

So much so that Benny plum forgot where they were for a moment.

“I'm sorry,” Jack said, voice a low thrumming complement to his lips. “I know I said we should keep a low profile, but I couldn't help it. What can I say? I’m selfish. I want people to know about us. Plus, hiding has never been my strong suit.”

Jack pulled back, taking his hands and lips with him. His gaze swept to Benny's right at the sound of a gasp. Then Benny remembered where they were.

Ruby’s eyes were wide. Carol’s were narrowed.

Benny didn’t understand the kiss, but he had enough self-preservation instinct to play along. Even if it meant following the lead of a man he didn’t actually know.

“Oh, uh—Well, I guess it's o-okay,” Benny stammered. He let his gaze sweep across the booth without staying on any one person for long. “I mean, secrets do become hard to keep in a town this small.”

Jack smiled.

Not a smirk, a smile.