Page 11 of The Prince and the Double Shot
Why was he getting under my skin after one quick conversation? I mean, I was only there to help the owners out, wasn’t I? I was just doing them a favor so I could be the temp lifeguard. But something about him was… I had thoughts about him last night and throughout the day. He seemed so sad and lonely.
I understood what that felt like. Maybe that was it? Perhaps we were more alike than I wanted to admit.
I stopped at the edge of the red carpet and stared at him. He really was breathtaking, and I’d guess a few years older than me. Mateo thought he was in his thirties. That was hot. I liked older men. His dark brown hair was short, and he didn’t seem to use any product in it. He looked nice. At least he wasn’t wearing a tie.
I glanced down at my work clothes and quickly sniffed under my arms. I didn’t stink.
Why the fuck did I care?
It wasn’t a date.
He turned around and noticed me. His mouth tightened as he waved. It made him even cuter.
“Don’t fuck around where you work, man,” I mumbled to myself as I waved back and walked towards him.
“Hello,” he whispered.
“Hi, Phil.” I sat down across from him at the tall table he had decided to sit at. I waved over at Henry, who was tending bar today, and pointed at the draft. The hotel had a great local brew. Maybe Phil would like it too. “Oh, you didn’t already order, did you?”
“No, I just got here. I figured it best to wait for you. I wondered if you would show up.”
“I’m a man of my word, Phil,” I lied. I had broken many vows that I had made in the past. I was glad that the person I had grown into could say this, and it could be true.
“I almost didn’t come, but I, too, am a man of my word. So, here I am.” He sat up straight.
“I’m glad you didn’t chicken out. Ah, here we are.”
Henry walked over and slid two beers onto the table. “Enjoy.”
“I hope you like this. You do like beer, right? Or… Would you prefer champagne?” I dug a little.
“No, beer’s great. Champagne gives me a headache,” he snipped.
“This is local. It’s called the OG Duck. I’ve really grown to like it.”
He took a sip. “IPA, right?”
“Good job. I was sure that you weren’t the beer type.”
“Then why did you order it?”
“I thought it might be good for you, I guess.”
“Strange assumption since we really don’t know each other.”
“I make bad choices.”
“Clearly.”
“Sorry, I sometimes forgot that… Where are you from?”
“A little country in Europe.”
“Where?”
“I think I’d rather not say. I can hear a bit of an accent from you, too. You’re also from Europe, aren’t you, and you try very hard to sound American. Why?”
“Touche. I guess we both have a secret, huh?”
