Page 18 of Her Daddies' Everything

The voice came from the man next to her. It was rough, almost broken. As though he’d damaged it at some stage in his life. She turned to glance at him. He was hunched over his drink, his long hair down to his shoulders and liberally sprinkled with gray. He wore an old coat and he had to be hot. He looked rough and unkempt.

“I like sitting here,” she told him. “It’s my usual spot.”

She got the feeling she’d surprised him although he didn’t move.

“You been here before?”

“Yeah. Lots.” Slight exaggeration.

“Not the sort of place for a girl like you. Go somewhere else.”

Gosh. Bossy.

“I will not. I like it here. I come here to drink and think.”

“No one likes it here. And no one comes here to drink or think.” He held up his glass. “This stuff tastes like shit.”

She giggled.

“Immy! Your usual?” Amos, the barkeeper, walked over to her with a frown. She wasn’t offended. Amos was always frowning.

“Yes, please, Amos. You’re looking good today.”

Amos grunted. “Got no sleep last night because of my noisy neighbor. Then this morning, she bangs on my door, wanting to borrow coffee. Brat needs a fucking spanking.”

“Right. That sounds like exactly what she needs,” she agreed as he put a diet soda with a slice of lime in front of her.

Amos just grunted as he walked away.

“You’re drinking soda?” the old man next to her asked.

“I’m not supposed to drink alcohol. I know, I’m at a bar drinking soda. It makes no sense. But I like the atmosphere. Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Yep.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” She took a large sip of her drink.

He slid some money onto the bar when Amos walked over. “For my drink. And hers.”

“Aww, that’s kind.”

“Not kind.”

“You got it. It’s our secret. What’s your name?”

“None of your business.”

“Strange name, I might shorten it to NOYB. You like that?”

“Nope.” He turned to glare down at her. Wow, he had dark eyes.

“Your eyes are unique,” she told him. “I guess you know that.”

“Been told it’s like looking into the depths of hell.”

“Wowsers. That’s really intense.”

“Scared?” he asked.

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