Page 9 of Demitri

“Maybe not?” He smiles, and my knees damn near give out.

I can’t speak, but I shake my head.

“City Brews?” he offers, an almost shy and hopeful look on his face.

“Huh. City Brews. You know, I don’t hate it,” I smile at him. “That’s going on the list, for sure.” I pull out one of the many pens I end up wearing in my hair every night and write it on the notepad next to the register. ‘City Brews’ has possibilities, that’s for sure.

“Does it earn me a Beluga Gold Line next time?”

“Next time? Is there going to be a next time?

“If there’s good Russian vodka, there will be.”

I give him another shot and move to take care of a customer. I make eyes at my friends who have been sitting at the end of thebar staring, openmouthed, at me since I served the man. I don’t even know his name, and I can’t figure out if that’s a good thing or not.

When I’m finished with my customer, I check on the table mystery man was sitting at, and they are ready to close out their tabs. They slowly trickle out after paying, but Mr. Vodka stays.

“Who is that man?” Grace asks when I finally make it back to the corner they are sitting in.

“I don’t know,” I whisper. “Didn’t give me his name.”

“You had a really long conversation to not get his name,” Sofie points out.

“Guess it’s Beluga. Or Gold Line. That’s what he ordered.”

“I’d go with Vodka if those are your options,” Nola snorts.

I roll my eyes. “Alright, white wine spritzer,” I point first to Sofie, “and Sex on the Beach,” I point to Nola. “Want to tell me about those guys you were making eyes at earlier?”

Sofie’s cheeks go red as Nola looks away, avoiding all eye contact.

“Didn’t think so.”

“She has to flirt with the customers to get the tips. We know this,” Grace tries to save me.

“Okay, yeah, but she was really flirting with Beluga boy. The woman was almost drooling over him.” Nola smirks. “Think she’ll take this one home?”

“Alright, ladies. I’m cutting you off for the night. I let you sit here and drink my booze and ogle men all night and this is the thanks I get? You calling me out? Doesn’t work that way, sisters.”

They know I’m bullshitting them, and their dramatic sighs and eye rolls are all part of the act. I’d love to say this is the first time we’ve done this, but it’s not. As a matter of fact, this is pretty much an every time they are in here occurrence. They also have no idea who I’ve taken home with me.

They all wave on their way out the door, and I turn back to the man of interest tonight.

“Another?” I ask, wiping down the bar in front of him.

“Depends.”

“On?”

“If you’re going to keep calling me Beluga.”

I smirk, pulling out the bottle and pouring him another shot. “Depends.”

“On?” he asks when I slide the shot his way.

Our hands brush as he reaches for the glass, and I know I’m in trouble when I physically react to his touch. I pull my hand back quickly, and he notices but gives me a pass.

“On if you tell me your name.”

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