Page 7 of Legends Luke

Lyric sighed. “I know, I know. You’re a take-it-slow-and-get-to-know-each-other-better person. But can’t you indulge my romantic fantasy a little bit? I’m not dating anybody, so I’m living vicariously through you.”

Melody walked from the bedroom down the short hallway to the living room to pick up her purse from the table behind her couch. “No plans tonight?”

“A couple of girls in my class invited me to a party. I hate showing up to those things by myself, but Max has a date and couldn’t tag along. So, I’m thinking I’ll order pizza and binge-watch a show.”

Melody pictured a large pie with tons of gooey cheese and spicy pepperoni cooked with a slight crisp around its edges. She looked down at her body-hugging dress and sighed. “Want to trade places?”

Lyric laughed. “Yes, but we can’t. You need to get going, or you’re going to be late.”

“Okay. Well, eat a slice of pizza for me. As tight as this dress is, I doubt I’ll be able to choke down more than a side salad. If this date gets that far.”

“It will. Have fun and be safe.”

“Love you, Bird.”

“Love you back, Melon.”

Leaving her small rental house with a smile was a good way to begin her evening. She suddenly wished she was back to living close enough to Lyric for them to hang out more. Being away from her sister had to be the toughest part of her move. She hoped Lyric could visit very soon because if she didn’t, Melody may have to take a long weekend to head to Shreveport.

Melody backed her car out of the driveway after waiting for a minivan to pass by. She thought over the few messages she’d shared with Noah since he agreed to meet her at the Fire Bar and Grille for their drink. He insisted on picking up the tab, which had impressed her, and on choosing the restaurant if they decided to go to dinner, which she didn’t mind since she chose the bar. She should probably be more resistant to him taking charge, but she didn’t get the impression he meant it in an arrogant, aggressive way. She’d had dates who acted like that, so she knew what to look for.

When she arrived at the Fire Bar and Grille, she found the place already jammed with the Friday night crowd looking to blow off steam and have a good time. Melody stepped inside the dimly lit bar, surprised to find it clean and inviting, with the music loud enough to encourage dancing but not so loud to deter conversation. Shesearched the main area for a man looking similar to Noah’s profile picture sitting at a table, but the tables were all occupied with more than one person. As she walked further into the unfamiliar bar, she wondered if it was always this packed. No wonder her co-workers made it sound like the place to be.

Melody found two empty bar stools side by side. She placed her purse on the bar in front of one to hold the seat while perching on the other, working with the hem of her dress so it didn’t ride up too far on her thigh. Her eyes scanned the establishment one more time, but she didn’t see anyone resembling Noah. She fished her cell from her purse and typed in the number he’d given her last night “in case she needed it.”

Just got here. Sitting at the bar. Have a seat saved for you.

It took several seconds for the text to send, and when she didn’t receive an immediate reply, she turned around, placed her phone on the bar where she could easily see the screen, and settled in to wait.

“Please tell me it’s my lucky day and you’re looking for someone to buy you a drink.”

The voice next to her left ear caused her body to jerk in surprise. A flush warmed her cheeks as she turned to face a man leaning toward her from where he stood at her back. Dressed in jeans and a nondescript T-shirt, he presented her with a crooked smile which showed off equally crooked but pearly white teeth. His blond curls were styled in a faux mohawk, long locks hanging over his forehead to shadow his eyes. He wasn’t terribly tall. With her heels, she was sure they would stand eye to eye. He had a slim build which madeher wonder if he hardly ate or if his metabolism burned calories faster than his appetite could keep up with. Regardless, she’d seen enough to know he wasn’t her blind date.

“Sorry. Not sure if this makes you unlucky, but I came prepared to buy my own drink. I’m also meeting someone who should be here any minute.”

Her soft rejection only made his grin wider. “No one as beautiful as you should have to buy her own drink. Let me guess. You’re a cosmopolitan girl. Or a fuzzy navel.”

“Jeff.”

The firm command came from behind the bar. Melody glanced over to see the gorgeous bartender staring down the man at her side. The bartender’s eyes were a soft brown hardened by a layer of steel. His thick hair sported a boyish cut, but the ink decorating his muscular arms gave him a dangerous edge. He obviously knew the man at her back, but more importantly, from the way the man stiffened when the bartender called his name, Jeff knew the bartender was not someone to be messed with.

The bartender stopped in front of her and placed his hands on top of the bar. “The lady said she wasn’t interested. You know the rules. No means back off or get out. Your choice, but to warn you, Luke is working tonight.”

“Shit, Easton. I was just talking to her. Sorry, ma’am, if I made you uncomfortable. If you change your mind about the drink, come over to the table right there. My buddies and I would be happy to have you hang out with us.”

Melody spared Jeff a smile. “Thank you. If I wasn’t meeting someone, I might take you up on the offer.”

Jeff wandered off, and Melody flashed her smile at the bartender. “Thanks. For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to break out the pepper spray.”

Easton chuckled. “I get it, but it’s not necessary here. My brother and I run this place, and we don’t put up with shit like that. What can I get you to drink?”

“You know, a mojito would be perfect.”

“You got it. And if you want to keep the other single guys from hitting on you, you might want to change seats. A beautiful woman sitting alone is a hard-to-resist temptation for some of these jokers.”

“I’m supposed to be meeting someone, but I don’t think he’s here yet.”

“Who is it? I know almost everybody who comes in here. Except you, of course. You must be new to town.”

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