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I looked around the familiar bar that had become my own. The twinkling lights strung along the bar cast a warm glow against the granite countertops.
The bar felt like home, especially during the holidays. It was the one place I could come to feel cheered up.
Daisy’s eyes met mine as a new flood of orders came in. “I'd better get back at it.”
I stood, leaning against the polished mahogany bar, watching Daisy as she effortlessly moved between patrons and waitresses, laughing or lending an ear.
Daisy had become the center of my universe without even trying, just like last year. It just snuck up on me.
Even though I’d owned the bar for years, there’d never been someone who had a presence like Daisy. She lit up the place, and her laughter was intoxicating.
But I knew this was all temporary.
I just hadn’t expected only one week. My secret hope had been that it would take the bar up north longer to reopen.
Daisy flashed me a smile and cocked her head slightly when she realized I’d been contemplating things.
She mouthed three words, which took me by surprise. “Are you okay?”
I smiled, nodding.
It was moments like these where the nostalgia of everything came pressing down on me. This bar, my life, wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for my friend and professor who’d believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.
But now, I wondered if there was more after this bar.
I glanced at Daisy again as she chatted with one of the patrons while handing him a drink, and I knew she was brightening that guy’s night, too.
It wasn’t that I had to be with Daisy all the time. It was just that my life was better when she was around.
As I did my duty, working the crowd and ensuring everything was up to the patrons’ standards, I couldn’t help but flash Daisy a look now and again.
And the thrill when I’d catch her looking back felt like I’d won the lottery.
The night wore on, and eventually, the customers thinned enough to sit at the bar while Daisy finished up. Perry made his way over and leaned against the counter.
“Thank goodness you were here, Daisy. I wouldn’t have been able to handle tonight by myself,” Perry told her.
“It was fun.” She glanced at me. “But I just found out this was my only weekend night here. The bar is opening back up, and I’m not on tomorrow.”
Perry clutched his chest in dramatic fashion and groaned. “Please tell me that’s not true.”
I nodded slowly in agreement. “It’s true. The bar isn’t going to be the same without her.”
Perry let out another sigh. “I swear my tips go up just by having you around, Daisy.”
She chuckled. “You two know how to make a girl feel good.”
Perry smiled, catching my gaze. “Just stating the truth.”
“Well, thanks.” She shrugged.
“I saw something got you down earlier,” Perry said, tilting his head.
My heart skipped a beat. Where had I been? How did I not notice?
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other and let out a sigh. “Oh, just something one of the customers had said got to me. It was kind of sad.”
“Happens this time of year. I like to say that I’m a licensed mixologist and therapist.” Perry straightened and drew a breath. “Why don’t you punch out and relax? I’ll do the cleanup tonight.”
