Page 76 of Bastard Bartender

“Until Thursday, and listen, I get it; you want your space and not to be tied down. But you also told me to say what I wanted, and I wanted you to call, and you didn’t. It might seem petty, but when a woman gives herself fully to a man—and not just her body. I mean, fully, all chips in the game while still remaining really chill that you have your own life—she shouldn’t have to beg for attention.”

“Are you done referring to yourself in third person?”

“Be serious, Nicolás.”

“I told you, I don’t do relationships.”

I throw my arms up in exasperation. “I’m getting serious relationship whiplash from you.”

“I’m not the guy who goes steady.”

“I never asked for that from you. I should have.” My chest is puffing as I take a huge breath and try to calm my jitters that’s making my heart beat so fast that my hands do not know what to do with themselves. “Nic, I’m crazy about you. Crazy being the optimal word because trying to figure you out will drive a woman batshit. You’re funny and smart, and we have the best time together. The sex is amazing, and I know you care about me. Hell, you held my hair while I puked and still lay next to me as I slept. But then you ghosted me, and I don’t understand why. I might not have made demands of you, but there is one thing I insist on, and that’s respect. If you value me as a woman, you have to respect my needs.”

“What do you need?”

My answer is simple. “You.”

There’s a tug to his mouth as he looks down in thought. As his eyes rise, he looks up at me through his long lashes, seeming almost coy.

“I said I don’t do relationships, but that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to try with you. I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would bother you to not hear back from me for a few days. Logan and I went to the retreat, and I came back for work. Then, yesterday, I had plans with friends, and I worked on my bike. The days got by me. I thought you knew from the other night that I was into you. This is what I want.”

“I do know that. Now, I do at least. And you can do all the things, but I need the connection. And your honesty. These last few days, I felt like you were keeping something from me.”

The silence he gives isn’t a disagreement. In fact, it lets me know I hit the nail on the head. “The other night, you said something, and it spooked me.”

“What did I say?”

“That you love me.”

“Oh.” Now, it’s my turn to be speechless. My hands are on my hips, and I fight to come up with a response because I vaguely remember saying that. “Well, I was really drunk and talking out of my ass. Does that have anything to do with you not calling me?”

“I could lie and say no, but it definitely played a role. It scared me but not enough to stay away. I just needed a breather. Does that make sense?”

I close my eyes and take a breath in, slowly letting it out. “Yeah. I think so. But just because you’re scared doesn’t mean you can ghost me.”

He reaches out his hand to me, tugging on my fingers slightly. “I know. That’s why I’m here. I know I’m going to screw up. A lot.” He laughs lightly. “But this is new to me too. I need to figure out things as we go. I promise that I won’t do that again.”

“A simple text works just fine.”

He nods curtly. “Noted.”

I eye him, wondering how sincere he’s being.

He takes a step closer, and his grin appears, letting me know that my Nic is back. I look away, trying to avert my eyes from his silly ways, but I end up smiling, even as I try to seem unaffected.

“We cool?”

“I guess.” With my arms crossed, I stare back at him. “You could make it up to me.”

“Oh, really? What do you have in mind?” he asks as he snakes his arms around my waist.

“A date would be nice. I wouldn’t turn down dinner.”

“Dinner I can do,” he says with a nod. “What else?”

“I like to dance. Especially with you. You have some moves.”

“So I’ve been told.” He raises a hand to my head and pushes my hair behind my ear. “Let me ask you then, what are you doing tonight?”

“Aside from watching high school kids fight in a karate competition, nothing.”

His body tenses. “Do you watch Cobra Kai?”

“Yes?” I respond like I’m asking a question.

“Now, listen carefully, Evette, because what I’m about to ask you is very important.” He takes a dramatic breath as he closes his eyes. When he opens them, his gaze is serious. “Are you Team Daniel or Team Johnny?”

Despite my inner thoughts earlier, I can’t lie to the man. “Team Johnny Lawrence all the way.”

He kisses my head. “I knew you were the girl for me. Turn it off because you and I have a more exciting evening planned.”

He spins me out of his arms, and I laugh at his excitement.

“What should I wear?”

“Short dress. High heels.”