Page 10 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
Lily chuckled. "They weren’t picky. Just tell Mike to give them two tumblers of our special. He’ll know what to do."
I grabbed a tray and headed to the bar where Mike, our charming Italian bartender, was polishing a glass, his white cloth moving in rhythmic circles. He glanced up with a warm, familiar smile, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Hey, Kendra! What can I get for you?" he asked in his soft, melodic accent.
I smiled back, trying to stay composed. Mike was undeniably attractive—a tall, lean man in his mid-forties with dark hair and a meticulously groomed beard. His friendly nature made him easy to talk to, though I suspected his charm wasn’t limited to just casual conversations.
"Lily said Table 12 ordered two beers," I said, hoping my professional tone masked any hint of nervousness.
Mike raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye. "Ah, two beers, huh? What kind of beer do they want?"
I hesitated, realizing I hadn’t asked. "I’m not sure. Lily said just to get the special."
Mike’s deep, amused chuckle filled the air. "Ah, don’t worry about it, Bella. I know exactly what they need."
He turned to the taps and began pouring, his hands moving with the grace of someone who had been doing this for years. The aroma of dark beer soon filled the space, rich and heady with hints of coffee and chocolate. I leaned in slightly, breathing in the comforting scent.
"What's this beer called?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
He flashed a grin, his pride evident. "This is Midnight Eclipse. It’s our special stout, brewed right here in-house with hints of coffee and chocolate. It’s a favorite among our regulars."
I nodded, impressed. "It smells incredible, I can smell the coffee and chocolate from here."
"Ah, Bella, you’ve got a good nose," Mike said with a wink as he garnished the beers with chocolate shavings, adding a final touch of elegance.
"Here you go. Two Midnight Eclipses for Table 12. Buon appetito… or should I say, buon bere?"
I balanced the tray carefully and started toward the table, determined to deliver the drinks without any issues. The cozy diner's atmosphere hummed with life. Classic rock drifted softly in the background, mingling with the murmur of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the clatter of dishes. The warm, golden glow from the vintage light fixtures made everything feel a little magical, like I’d stepped back in time.
As I approached Table 12, completely focused on not disrupting Mike's beautiful creation, I didn’t notice Antonio standing up—until I walked right into him.
The tray tilted precariously, and before I could react, both glasses of Midnight Eclipse tumbled forward. Time seemed to slow as the dark, rich liquid splashed out, drenching Antonio’s pristine white shirt and my own uniform in cold beer.
I gasped, the chill shocking me out of my daze. Antonio stared down at the spreading stain on his shirt, his expression slowly shifting from surprise to fury. His jaw clenched, and his eyes flashed with anger.
"Watch it!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the diner, drawing every eye in the room.
Startled, I stepped back, barely holding on to my composure. Antonio’s outrage was so over-the-top that for a second, I couldn’t speak. Then, my own frustration bubbled to the surface.
"Hey, I didn’t do it on purpose!" I shot back, my voice rising. If it had been anyone else, I might have apologized profusely, but Antonio? His condescending attitude ignited my temper like nothing else.
Antonio’s face turned an even deeper shade of red, his anger palpable. "You’re going to pay for this!" he snarled, his words biting.
I stared at him, seething. We always seemed to meet like this—in the worst possible situations. He was already on edge before this accident happened, that much was clear. But why did he always have to take it out on me?
"Oh, I’m shaking in my boots," I replied sarcastically, unable to hold back the jab.
The diner fell silent. Everyone was watching now, some patrons looking uncomfortable, others intrigued by the unfolding drama. I spotted Jake out of the corner of my eye, his expression a mix of worry and disbelief. He took a step forward, but Antonio shut him down.
"No, Jake," Antonio said, his voice cold. "I’m not leaving here until she apologizes."
I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. "You’re always looking for someone to pounce on, aren’t you? What did I ever do to you?"
Antonio’s eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"
"You heard me."
Before Antonio could respond, Lily hurried over, her face pale with concern. "What is going on here?" she asked, her eyes darting between us.
