Page 4 of vKissed By the Bartender

“I haven’t dated anyone since high school,” I say regretfully.

She, on the other hand, must have all the men in the world, as gorgeous as she is.

We talk for a long time until Kyndrah comes up behind me.

“I’m locking up and heading home before the worst of this hits. My baby is home alone,” she says.

“Isn’t your husband home too?” I ask her.

“You know how he is, Joseph. He is so distracted by the TV set that my daughter Kala is just as good as being alone.” She laughs heartily. “You two don’t get too wet,” she elbows me and walks out, locking the door behind her.

“Is it ok to stay in here?” Candice asks.

“Yeah, I practically run this place. The owners are cool. They brought me on six months after bartending school to run to manage the place. We are just fine here,” I smile at her. “But I don’t want to keep you from anything…or anyone.”

“There isn’t anyone Joe,” she smiles, a little weaker this time. “And truth be told, I don’t have a room at the inn until morning, so it’s either here chatting with you, or sleeping in my car in a Walmart parking lot.”

“Here it is,” I say.

I’m locked up with my first love for the entire night alone. I can’t let myself get in her way.

God help me!

Chapter 3

candice

H

ot as Hell.

That’s what goes through my mind as Joe towers over me in all his six-foot goodness.

I remember how his vibrant green eyes gazed at me longingly when we said goodbye, how his lips parted as if he wanted to say something more. It was just like how he is looking at me right now with unspoken words that are filling the air with tension.

I think for a moment. His birthday’s in December and mine is in May. So he must be twenty-six now.

A wave of regret and sadness passes over me. I can’t believe I never even bothered to wish him on his birthday all these years. But then again, he never wished me either.

What happened to us? I want to ask.

We used to be inseparable. I had such strong feelings for him growing up, but I never said anything because I didn’t want things to be weird.

But now… We’re full-blown adults. Maybe it’ll be different. Maybe this time we’ll talk. Really talk.

Who better to discuss my pressing concerns with than a former best friend? Just like old times.

I badly need a friend. Or maybe something more.

He leans forward. My heart thumps against my chest.

I look at him closely… he seems far more mature and distant than he used to be.

Back then, he was witty and liked to make others laugh. In fact, he used to overcompensate with humour and was always very sociable. He seems closed off now, but I guess it’s too early to tell.

And man do I want to get to know him all over again… in so many ways. I look at his arms and see the muscles beneath the white t-shirt and red flannel. He is hot… like rugged lumberjack hot.

He wiggles his eyebrow at me, the one with the scar, and laughs for a moment.

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