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ChapterSix
Beau
The next few days went by in a blur. On Wednesday, work was stopped because of a call from a concerned citizen who claimed to smell natural gas coming from the building. That was Bobbie’s work. He showed up daily, halfway expecting to find her locked to his door, but she was painfully absent.
After their argument, he’d stayed away from the diner, hoping to find clarity in the situation. Bobbie was bad news, and he usually stayed clear of trouble, but for some reason, he couldn’t shake her from his mind. Maybe it was the kiss. When her lips touched his, the heat and connection consumed him. Somehow, she’d burned her taste into his soul, and he wanted more.
On Thursday, he looked for her to show up, but she didn’t. He took out his frustration by nailing new floor joists in place until his nail gun jammed, and he was forced to stop. The next hour was spent fixing equipment and thinking about how good a plate of tater tots dipped in mayo would taste.
By Friday, he was grumpy and snapping at his crew, and Kyle pulled him into the office and laid into him.
“We’re heading out tonight because you need to blow off some steam. You won’t have a crew if you don’t chill out. You’re being an ass, and they’re tired of being yelled at for stupid stuff.” He sat in front of the desk but glanced over his shoulder at the dent he’d left on the floor the last time he sat there. He shoved his hard hat on his head and propped his feet on the desk.
“I don’t want to go to that club. It’s too damn loud.” He pushed the nail gun aside because he didn’t want Kyle to hit it and accidentally discharge the nails. There was enough to worry about without adding a workman’s compensation claim.
“We’ll go to Jolly’s. It’s a hip, little bar. It’s also quiet and has amazing microbrews. Since I had to put up with you all week, you’re buying.”
“Can’t tonight. Don’t forget, we’re supposed to move me into my new apartment tonight.”
Kyle let his feet fall to the floor with a thump and rose slowly from the chair. He was Beau’s uncle first, but he’d always been his best friend and had his back.
“Tonight, we drink and let off some steam. Tomorrow, we move.”
* * *
Jolly’s Bar was a hole in the wall just off Sixteenth Street. It was filled with neon signs and an enthusiastic crowd, reminding Beau of Brighton’s Bar. Thinking about the people he left behind made him homesick, but he knew he’d made the right decision to leave. His friends were all married, leaving him one of the last remaining bachelors of the group. The guys constantly harassed him about finding the one, but he’d never experienced a spark for any of the women he’d met until Bobbie.
He and Kyle sat in a booth in the corner and ordered a beer sampler. “Here’s to new beginnings.” Beau lifted one glass in a toast and pushed it into Kyle’s, sending the beer sloshing over the side.
“Yep, to new beginnings.” Kyle chugged the first beer straight down without taking a breath.
Beau looked at the crowd. No loud music played, nor were their bodies pressed together on a dance floor like at Poly Esters. “How did that meat sandwich work out for you the last time?” Kyle hadn’t come in bragging about his conquest the day after they went to the nightclub, so he figured it hadn’t gone as planned—or it had gone better than expected, and he wasn’t sharing information.
“They were vagitarians.” He shrugged his shoulders and tossed back the second sample.
“No way.” Beau laughed so hard the beer came out of his nose. “Leave it to you to find the only two lesbians in the room.”
“I’m magical that way. Speaking of girls …” Kyle nodded toward the bar.
Beau followed his line of vision. Standing in front of the bar with several other people was Bobbie. She was laughing at something the man in front of her was saying. Blind jealousy surged through him. He didn’t know where it came from. He had no claim on her, but it made him mad that she was out having fun with another guy while he was wallowing in self-pity.
As if she felt him staring, she scanned the room, and their eyes connected. He’d never seen her in anything but jeans or shorts, and tonight she wore a miniskirt and a half-shirt. A skimpy half-shirt showed her flat stomach, and the belly button piercing sparkled under the bar’s lights. He wanted to rush over and cover her so no one else could see her. Instead, he nodded, then turned away. It took every ounce of strength he possessed to stop from staring.
“Man, she’s hot. I can’t believe you didn’t move on that.” Kyle faced her direction.
“Stop looking at her, or I’ll kick your ass.” Beau flexed and fisted his hands repeatedly. They shook with the need to connect with something solid, and Kyle’s face would fill the bill if he didn’t stop badgering him.
“You like her. Just get over it and make your move. I’m begging you for the entire crew.” Kyle looked down at the near-empty sample tray. “I’ll get another round.” He slid out of the booth and disappeared.
Seconds later, Bobbie walked over and slid beside him, her body nudging him over.
“Hey, Big City, long time no see. Are you on a hunger strike these days?” She picked up one of his beer samples and sipped it. The foam stuck to her upper lip, and when she slipped her tongue out to capture it, he died a slow death. He’d tasted that tongue, let it explore his mouth, and fantasized about the many other ways that tongue could give him pleasure.
“Nope, just been busy. Besides, I figured my absence would please you.” The way they left things the last time they saw each other would have turned most women off, but Bobbie wasn’t like most women, and he had no gauge to measure things. “Have you given up the fight? You’ve been absent.”
“Did you miss me?” She smiled and then pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
He had missed her, and even though her absence made the project run smoothly, her non-appearance caused a hole in his day. Every day, he wondered what she’d come up with and left disappointed that she hadn’t put in any effort.
