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I listened closely and no longer heard the wind howling, so I opened the storeroom door and went as far as the front counter. It was still raining and a little windy, but the worst of it seemed to have passed.
Lana turned to me. "Thanks for coming to get me. And being such a good pillow."
"I don't mind," I said softly. "You clearly needed it."
“Oh here,” she said, slipping out of my hoodie.
I pulled it back around her. “Keep it on.”
I put my hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. I wanted so badly in that moment to kiss her, to tell her how I really felt.
Thunder boomed, and that made it easier to back away.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” I said, pulling the hood over her head.
As much as it pained me, I had to respect her relationship with Todd until she ended things herself. Anything between us before that point would be a betrayal I couldn't live with.
So for now, I could only savor these stolen moments of closeness, as tempting as Lana was.
Tonight, simply being next to her felt like enough.
9
DYLAN
I looked around my bar,taking it all in one last time. After five years, I was finally selling this place. My divorce had drained my finances, and the settlement required I sell my most valuable asset. This bar.
This place held so many memories, both good and bad.
But it was time to move on. I needed a fresh start.
I stood behind the bar and drew a beer for one of the longtime regulars.
“Here you go, Chuck. Thanks for coming.”
“It’s the end of an era. I’m sure going to miss you guys,” he said, raising his glass to me.
I rarely ever bartended, but since this was the final night I would actually own the place, I personally gave some of the longtime customers their drinks. And the first two drinks were on the house, so we had a pretty good going-away crowd.
I drew a beer for another customer and saw Lana and James come in the door. Todd hopped up from the table where he sat with Grandpa and went to greet her.
I looked away as he kissed her. Otherwise, I wasn’t sure I could stop myself from throwing a beer bottle at Todd’s head.
James sat at the table next to Grandpa, and Todd sat again too. But Lana walked up to the bar with a bright smile. My pulse quickened.
“Hey. Barkeep!” she said, smacking her fist down onto the wood. “Line ‘em up!”
I smiled and said, “Your gramps actually wants a beer?”
“Yep. So make that two.” She grinned and held up two fingers in a V.
“What kind?”
“Whatever’s on tap is fine.” Lana leaned on the bar as I poured beer into two glasses. “Are you doing ok? Todd said you weren’t thrilled about having to sell the place.”
I sighed heavily, both that Todd talked to her about me, and because no, I wasn’t.
I shrugged. “No, but some things can’t be helped. I’ve accepted it. Ready to move on. It's good to see everyone. I wanted to celebrate this place one last time, you know? It deserves a big sendoff."
