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I traipsed over to him and tossed a coaster down in front of him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked with a smile. “Aren’t you glued to the gates at the clubhouse?”
“Say that five times fast,” South Paw joked. “I got a reprieve. New prospects.”
“Hallelujah,” Mia said as she approached. “First round is on me. What’ll it be?”
“Whatever pilsner you’ve got on tap.”
I poured him a pint. “Enjoy your freedom.”
“I will, thanks.” South Paw placed a twenty on the bar. “I know Mia said it’s on her, but this is for you.”
“That’s too much,” I protested.
“Nah.”
“You sure?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll give it a nice home, I promise.” I picked up the twenty and placed it in the tip jar.
Working with Mia was the best, and not just because it felt like working with an old friend. Because she owned the bar, she didn’t take a cut of the tips, and I was already pocketing so much cash it put my job at Spurs to shame.
I’d have more than enough to rent a tiny apartment when the time came. But I was also trying to take Viper’s advice, so I put the thought out of my mind and focused on the present.
South Paw and Viper began to chat. It was odd, seeing Viper actually speaking in full sentences to someone who wasn’t me.
“Well, that’s new,” Mia quipped, gesturing with her chin to the two of them.
“I feel like a regular Professor Higgins. That’s my handiwork, right there.”
Viper rose from his stool and then headed past Mia and I toward the hallway where the restrooms were.
The front door opened, and a man came in. I grabbed a piece of scrap paper and a pen and walked to the mini fridge at the end of the counter to take stock.
Mia stood at the register, her back to the bar and the rest of the room. “Be right with you,” she called out over her shoulder.
I rose, my eyes raking over the customer as he took a seat in front of Mia.
Mia finished at the register and then turned to the man and asked, “What can I get you?”
“Shot of tequila—Añejo,” he replied.
“Sure thing.” Mia smiled and then turned around again to grab a bottle of top-shelf tequila.
The customer angled his head slightly and looked at me, and I smiled at him.
He didn’t smile back.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up.
Something’s wrong…
“You paying cash, or do you want to start a tab?” Mia asked.
“Cash,” he said as he slid his hand into the inner part of his jacket.
