Page 31 of Bourbon & Blood

I sat in a curved corner booth with some of my guys and watched her move behind the bar.

Sure, she’d smile real nice when she was talking to a paying customer – but the minute they turned away or she did; automatically going through the motions of making a drink? Her lips lost that easy smile. Besides that, I noticed that even when they tipped up at the corners, that smile of hers just didn’t reach her eyes. Not like when it was genuine.

Something was wrong, and it damaged my calm in a way that was unsettling. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t know what needed to be done to fix it – and so I did what I always did. I sat back and watched.

Our waitress was leggy and blonde and did abso-fucking-lutely nothing for me, though Cypress and Bennie certainly appreciated the view.

“Alright,” Axe declared. “I don’t know why the fuck you picked a place like this – but I’m out. It’s just a little too mainstream and touristy for me.”

Hex laughed and got up too. “I’m with you, man. Y’all fellas have a good one now, y’hear?” He winked at me, knowing damn well why I’d picked this place.

“Night, bro.” Bennie fist bumped each of their fists and Cypress threw ‘em some chin.

“Night, boss,” Hex said and threw me a wink. I nodded.

He was just bein’ fuckin’ cagey with the rest of our boys. He saw all and remembered all, and again; he knewexactlywhy I was here… though I appreciated him not diming me out to the rest of the guys about it. Them pokin’ fun was sure to set me in a bad mood.

My little Alina, and all that surrounded her, meant too much to me. I don’t think I could or would be a good sport about any ribbing. You know?

The waitress came back by and I glared at her for stepping between me and my view of Alina. She took our empty glasses and asked if we wanted anything else. I gave a nod, fixing gazes and intentionally creeping her to make her go the fuck away.

Cy and Bennie ordered more beer, and she fucked off back in the direction of the bar. The next thing I knew, Alina was coming around, picking up our waitress’s tray, and heading our direction.

I straightened up a little and cracked my neck which was suddenly rife with tension. She stopped at our table and set the beers out for us.

“Alright, fellas, here you go!” she said with a chipper demeanor, and I knew it for the lie that it was.

“Thanks, darlin’,” Bennie said and Cypress, catching the look on my face, shut his trap from saying anything flirtatious and simply gave the girl a nod of respect.

“Thank you,” I said and she cocked her head.

“I know you…” she murmured, and I blinked, long and slow.

Shit.

I hadn’t expected that.

Had I given myself away?

“Yeah, no… you helped me out a few weeks back,” she said, pointing at me and shaking her finger absently as she placed just where she knew me from.

“I’m the girl, with the couch. You helped me lift it into the back of the van when I moved out of my old apartment,” she said and I nodded.

“I remember,” I said.

“Alina, Alina Bouchard,” she said and held out her hand to me. “I didn’t get your name.”

“La Croix,” I said, and I stared at her mystified before slowly bringing up my hand to hers.

Was this really happening or was I dreaming?

She shook my hand lightly and her skin was soft.

“Thanks for that,” she said. “I think you saved my life. I was fixing to be crushed to death under the weight of that thing.” She laughed and Bennie and Cy were looking at me like they’d never seen me before.

“You’re welcome,” I said.

She tipped up her tray and said, “I’ll be back around to check on you guys in a bit. I’m taking over for Sandra, your other waitress, alright?”

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