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There’s something about this guy that intrigues me. It’s like he can’t shake the vibe that he’s putting out. His tone and body language scream ‘leave me alone.’ But his eyes tell a whole different story.
“Let me buy you a drink,” I tell Mateo. I order another vodka tonic and before I can even ask Mateo what he’s ordering the bartender has pulled down a bottle of whiskey from the top shelf and poured him a glass. I try to use my drink tickets and leave a tip, but the bartender just pushes it back to me with my drink.
Mateo raises his glass to mine, “Salute” he says.
“Sláinte,” I reply.
I sip my drink, then nod to his. “Do you come here often or something?”
Mateo grins for the first time. “You really think that line will work on me?”
“No, I mean, I’ve never seen a bartender turn down a tip before.”
“I know the owner,” Mateo takes another sip of his drink.
“Oh. I think I met him. Vinny? My friend is DJing, so I met him earlier.”
“He’s not the owner,” Mateo growls. “He just worked for him.”
Mateo turns to look out at the dance floor. I can’t tell if he welcomes my company or not. I don’t know if I should try to keep this conversation going or let him be.
Finally, he speaks again, “I try to come here as little as possible.” He looks back at me again.
“It’s my first time,” I tell him. “Why’d you come tonight?”
“I had some work to do.”
“Is it done?” I ask.
“M-hm,” Mateo nods.
“Then why are you still here?”
Mateo turns back to look at me and leans slightly against the bar. “I met someone who seems… interesting.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” he shrugs. “But I’ll let you know if I find out.”
This frustrates me. But I know what he means. There’s something I findinterestingabout Mateo as well. But I can’t describe it. I just want to know more about him. Even though I can tell that’s not going to be easy. Maybe it’s the challenge. It’s like a game to figure out as much as I can about this man before he disappears again.
Mateo gestures behind him, in the direction of the VIP lounge. “Do you want to go sit down?”
My immediate thought is ‘no.’ I should just stick to my original plan. Listen to a little more of Andre’s set and head home. But right now, I just want to learn more about Mateo. I feel good being next to him. And I don’t think I’ve had enough to blame it entirely on the alcohol.
“Doyoureally think that line is going to work onme?” I reply.
Mateo’s face cracks into the faintest smile.
I nod toward the VIP lounge, “Lead the way.”
It’s been a while since I met a guy in a club. I kind of thought those days were behind me. But there’s something mysterious about Mateo. Something that makes me want to get to know him more. Neither of us seems to belong here. Not in the way the rest of the crowd does. And while he’s intimidating, he’s undeniably attractive.
Mateo leads the way toward the VIP section. His size and demeanor make the crowd part to let us through with almost no effort. I reach my hand down and feel for his. His hand wraps around mine when I find it. It’s strong and slightly rough. But it feels comforting to have mine in his.
The security guard removes the rope to let us into the VIP section. It’s made up of deep booths and sections of couches. Every section looks full. I’m disappointed how busy it is. I was hoping Mateo and I could sit down, maybe talk some more. But some of the patrons are so wild and noisy I can hear them over Andre’s music.
I expect Mateo to change his mind and tell me we should go back to the bar. Instead, he turns to me and gestures to the heavy black curtain behind him.
