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He’d just gotten me fully set up when the clock hit ten.
“Alright, just familiarize yourself with the bar and I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” With that, Anthony was off, and I was by myself.
I looked around, finding a cutting board, knife, and some limes. I started cutting, hoping that this bar prepped their fruits the same as I’d always done before. Lime and lemon wedges with a small slit in the middle so they’d fit perfectly on the rim of a glass. Orange slices—not wedges—with a similar slit. The shallow dishes with lime juice, salt, and sugar each in their own. And not to mention the cherries. Ah, the cherries. You either love them or hate them. I happen to love them. I filled the small container, grabbing one for myself.
I’d just popped it in my mouth when I heard someone come up behind me. “Shit.” I muttered. Sure, it was only a cherry, but I hadn’t thought this through. First day and I’m already stealing garnishes?
“You must be the new girl.” The assumed bartender here to train me had a voice so deep that it caught me off guard.
Spinning slowly, I gulped the cherry down and stuck the stem on the side of my mouth, hoping my teeth would keep it hidden.
Except, I wasn’t anticipating my mouth dropping open. I almost didn’t notice it falling out of my mouth because I was too distracted by the man standing in front of me.
His one-sided smile, bright eyes, and overall attractive demeanor—plus the fact that I knew him were the culprits to my gawking.
“N—Nico?” I stammered.
“No way. Della?”
Fuck, he remembered me too. And my name. How long had it been? More than six months. I didn’t know if I was impressed or horrified.
“Um, yeah.”
He let out a laugh and shook his head in disbelief. “There’s no fucking way that you are standing in front of me. Here. In this small-ass town, what, thousands of miles away from Kentucky? And as my new trainee.”
I was in just as much shock as he was. “What a small world.” I let out a nervous chuckle, pinching my thumb between my other fingers—age old nervous tick.
He shook his head again and crossed his arms before immediately uncrossing them and stepping forward before abruptly stopping. I was frozen in place, and he had no idea what to do.
“How about we just pretend we don’t know each other and focus on the training and pouring drinks part of all of this.” I blurted. It wasn’t the first thought on my mind, but this was not the time or place to be having those thoughts—memories, really.
He slowly nodded like that wasn’t what he was thinking either. His eyes told me that much with the way he was staring at me.
Fuck, this was going to be difficult.
“You sure? Because I wouldn’t mind picking up where we left off with.” His eyes narrowed with the cliché desire people talk about.
That’s when it all came flooding back to me. It wasn’t like I’d forgotten that night. I never would for so many reasons. But this brought me back to that moment. And how much I’d wanted him then. I thought it was the whiskey and the emotions of that day that made me kiss him.
Turns out, it was him. Because right now, all I wanted to do was close this distance, wrap my hand around his neck, and repeat what we did half a year ago.
I knew I shouldn’t. I knew I needed to back away and be firm in what I’d just said.
But I didn’t want to.
I hadn’t had sex since that night. It’s not for a lack of trying. I went on dates. I met up with Tinder dates. But none of them could get me in the mood. So, I’d been relinquished to take care of myself with only the memories of Lyla or Nico to get me by.
It wasn’t a good time for my libido so naturally, it made sense that I’d have these thoughts.
But I was stronger than this. Wasn’t I? If I could resist the urge to message Lyla, I could resist Nico.
He wasn’t making it easy on me though. He stepped towards me, gently sliding his hand on my hip and leaning in. He brough his lips close to my ear. “I can see how much you want to but won’t let yourself. And I get it. We can both try to be good, but I don’t know how long I can hold back.”
Shivers ran down my spine. I pressed my hands against his stomach, feeling just how warm and firm his torso was. Squeezing my eyes shut and taking a deep breath, I forced myself backwards.
“Damn straight we’re going to be good.” I mustered every ounce of conviction I had.
He pulled back and didn’t say anything at first, creating an awkward silence. Finally, he broke the silence. “So, I see you’ve got our garnishes done for the day. You look optimistic for how many people are getting cocktails today. People get drunk on Tuesday mornings back in Kentucky?”
