Page 7 of vKissed By the Bartender

Candice is frowning and fiercely trying to get the man to leave her side.

“Come on Candy Barr. You’re such a hot little thing in person,” the man says. “Let me join you.”

“No. Just go away, please,” she replies. I can tell that she was trying to be polite and not cause a scene.

“You know what,” I whisper to the hostess. “I have a friend over there. I think I will join her tonight,” I smile at the woman, and she let me through.

“Enjoy your time here at Bear Paw, sir,” she says, but I pay no attention to her.

“Darling,” I say, coming up beside Candice and kissing her on the cheek. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” I add ignoring the man. “Work ran late,” I continue. “Oh, hello, who are you?”

“The name’s Tim,” he growls.

“Hi Tim, I’m Joe. How do you know my girlfriend?” I ask as I shake hands with him.

“Girlfriend?” Tim questions.

“Yes,” I pause and look at Candice. “Isn’t that right dear?”

“Uh,” Candice stutters for a second. “Yeah, that’s right,” she nods to Tim, and he stomps off angrily.

“Well, now that the creep is gone, I will leave you to your meal,” I say with a smile.

“Please stay,” she says, pulling me to the seat beside her. “Wait a second… were you stalking me?”

“No!” I say defensively. “I was exhausted and didn’t want to cook. Then I came here and saw that prick messing with you.”

She leans into me, putting her head on my shoulder.

“I’m glad you came,” she says with a sigh.

As her head touches my shoulder, I feel chills throughout my body. I had never felt this intensely before. Even when she was sitting in my lap last night, I didn’t feel this way.

I fight the feeling that was tugging at my jeans and hope she doesn’t notice.

“Did you see the look on that guy’s face?” I say with a laugh.

“Yeah. I’m sure he’s over there on Google, trying to find out if Candy Barr is in a relationship,” she sighs again.

“What the internet doesn’t know won’t hurt them,” I say, which makes more sense to me than I care to admit.

It isn’t until now that I realize how popular she is. I think about how exhausting it must be to be living in the spotlight all the time. Sure, she enjoys singing and performing, but this can't possibly be a life that anyone can enjoy completely all the time.

I know I wouldn’t be able to.

Maybe that’s why she questions the decisions she has to make in less than a month.

For the rest of dinner, I make sure to keep the conversation away from admirers and fame. She needs a night when she doesn’t have to worry about anyone wanting to be around her because of her popularity.

I knew I enjoy her company for a very different reason. She could never sing another day as Candy Barr, and I would still admire her, with or without her fame.

*****

That night I lay in my bed as exhaustion takes me over. I can’t help but allow sleep to pull at me and even as I enter the first stages of lucid dreaming, I know it’s going to be an interesting sleep.

Candice stands as pretty as a picture at the head of the bar. It’s now called Lyon’s Roar. We own it, as in both of us.

It’s the same bar, but different in so many ways. Candice is in a stunning dress, organza and blue, my favourite colours.

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