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Trivia ended with cheers and boos, and a run on drinks and snacks. As she worked, she noted he chatted up another stool sitter. Baseball. He appeared to know enough to keep that conversation lively.
“Ready for another?”
“Yeah, thanks. How about you, Larry? On me.”
“Don’t mind if I do. How’s Nina’s car running?”
“Barely.”
Larry shook his head, rubbed at his short beard. “She’s gotta bring it in.”
“I’ll tell her. Larry’s the best mechanic from here to Baltimore,” she told Luke. “He’s kept Nina’s car running well beyond its expiration date.”
“I do what I can. You still liking that Prius?”
“It’s perfect.”
She set their drinks in front of them, filled another round for a table of six. Larry’s conversation turned to cars and engines, and Luke appeared to know enough again to hold up his end.
“Gotta get on.” Larry pushed to his feet. “The wife’ll be home or getting there. It’s her book club night, which is a front for drinking wine and gabbing. Nice talking with you, Luke. Thanks for the drink.”
“Anytime.”
“Another round?” Morgan asked him.
“Two’s the limit. I should get on, I’ve got my own busy day tomorrow.” He paid his tab, tipped more than well. “I’d say don’t work too hard, but pretty sure you will. Nice seeing you again.”
“Good luck in tech world.”
He sent her a grin and strolled out.
He showed up again on a packed Friday night. She worked with the part-time weekend bartender to handle the crowd. Luke leaned on her end of the bar, as butts filled every stool.
“Surprise me. It’s been a damn good week.”
“Congratulations. Weekend off?”
“Ah, some paperwork and planning tomorrow, but yeah. Any suggestions on how I should spend the rest of it?”
“You could drive into Baltimore. Inner Harbor, aquarium, and it’s opening day for the O’s at Camden Yards.”
“Want to keep me company, show me around?”
She couldn’t say the offer came out of the blue. She knew when a man was interested. She played it light—part of the job.
“Can’t do it. Homeowner’s stuff on Saturday, and I’ll be right here Saturday night. Sunday’s already booked. But I appreciate the offer.”
He sampled the beer she offered. “I’m getting an education on the local brews. It’s nice, draw me one.” He waited until she served him. “Look, if it’s pushy or you’re already involved, just say. No harm, nofoul. But would you like to go out to dinner some night? A night when you’re actually not working?
“No pressure,” he added when she hesitated. “Just a meal and conversation. Do you like pizza?”
For whatever reason, the casual tone relaxed her. “I’m suspect of anyone who doesn’t.”
“The pizza at Luigi’s is good.”
“You hit the top of the line around here.”
“So maybe pizza, some wine. I could just meet you there.”
