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“Good because I miss you too much when you’re gone.” She blew me a kiss before turning to grab tall glasses that she shoved under the spout to one of the beers we had on tap.
“Better hurry. Your tables getting antsy.” Val dropped an empty tray on the bar causing glasses to clatter before she turned and leaned back against it, eyes moving about the clutter of bodies that were packed in tonight and buzzing with energy.
She was a year younger than me and Del’s daughter. Beautiful and bold. A personality you couldn’t deny if you wanted to because she was determined to be seen.
Tonight she wore a black fitted spandex top that stopped just above her navel, black jeans, and heels that I wouldn’t dare try to walk in. However she glided all night like she was born to have them on her feet.
Her short coiled hair framed her face with bangs that were highlighted with burgundy, matching the color on her lips which sat on beautiful brown skin. She turned heads and was well aware of her ability to do so.
Mine and Val’s personalities contrasted like oil and water but I loved her with all that I was. She was about the only person in the world I trusted considering I didn’t have family.
“I’m going. I’m going.” Groaning through the thought of it being a long night, I got my ass in gear.
Moving around bodies and tables, I collided with some because it was impossible not to. However I managed to hold tight to my tray of drinks which swayed with every step, liquor tipping the rim just a little.
The crowd was growing but that was expected considering there were live performances tonight. Saturday nights at The Bottom were pretty much organized chaos that thrummed through my blood like it was necessary for my survival.
The regulars felt the same which was what kept them coming back, week after week, no matter how long they had to wait for a booth, table, or cold drink.
After dodging grabby hands from men who’d had a few too many I made my way toward the stage to drop off another round. The faces were familiar even if I couldn’t recall their names so I approached with a smile and was greeted by four in return. Two couples likely having date night.
“Sorry about the wait. It’s a madhouse in here. Should settle down in a few. Looks like they’re about ready.”
“Don’t worry. Wasn’t that long of a wait.” A pair of brown eyes paired with bright red lips offered a deeper smile.
“’Preciate that.” I slid each person their drinks before tucking the tray under my arm. “Flag me down if you need another round. I’ll be moving through here trying to keep up.”
Weaving back through the crowd I cleared a few more tables which quickly filled up and just as I wiped down a booth in the corner my skin prickled with a heightened awareness.
I felt it crawl down my spine, creating a shiver that traveled just beneath my skin. My spine straightened as a body crept near, so close that I felt it brush against me before I heard a voice over my shoulder.
A voice that was close, dangerously close to the point where I felt a warm breath tickle my skin and smelled a hint of mint when he asked in a low rumble, “Is it alright if I take this?”
The question hung in the air behind me, only he didn’t wait for a response and instead maneuvered his long body into one side of the horseshoe booth.
My eyes whipped around trying to make sure there wasn’t anyone else waiting. Although this space held an easy six, seating was grab as you go. If you didn’t fend for yourself, you didn’t find a spot but I occasionally looked out for a few.
This guy I didn’t know and he was alone, or at least at the moment, but he’d taken up prime real estate.
“Su-sure, it’s survival of the fittest in here.”
He was already on his phone, focus locked on the device so all I was granted was a soft toss of his head. A head that was covered in thick curls that sprouted in an unruly manner but were tapered at the sides just above his ears. The cut was fresh and somehow fit him perfectly.
Unable to help the swell of intrigue that bottomed out in my stomach, I took in more of the man who had my nerve endings going haywire.
He was dressed in a thin, gray long sleeved shirt, pushed up to expose corded forearms that played the role of a caramel canvas housing intricate, colorful art.
The material stretched with forced effort across wide shoulders and a solid back which was slightly curved from the way he was hunched over the sleek wood tabletop.
He was tall. I could tell from how long his body appeared. Never ending legs were crammed under the table, spread wide and covered in dark denim jeans that stretched across them as if perfectly tailored for his body.
“You here for the show?”
“Show?” The muscle along the side of his face flexed on the exposed skin that his beard didn’t cover as he swiped out of the text thread that had his attention before he handed it over to me. Shit! As tempting as his body was, that face was ten times better.
“There’s a live performance tonight. I thought maybe that’s why you were here.”
He squinted at the stage before curious eyes rolled back up to me. Time stood still and it seemed to take him an eternity before he finally spoke.
