“It’s okay. I’m flattered, even if I know I’m not the first woman you’ve hit on today.” She grinned and sipped her drink.
And you won’t be the last.
“Only because I didn’t see you first.” I chuckled and walked over to pour drinks for someone else.
But that wedding band would have stopped me dead in my tracks, so no loss there.
Angelina didn’t belong in my pub. She stuck out like a sore thumb with her fancy clothes and perfectly applied makeup. There was no way she was from the South Side of Chicago. I could have figured that out without hearing her accent, which sounded a little too East Coast for the Midwest. I continued pouring drinks for others as the pub filled up but my attention kept drifting back to Angelina. For a married woman, she didn’t seem to be able to take her eyes off me. It was almost like she was studying me—or judging me—I wasn’t sure which one it was. When her drink was empty, I walked back over.
“Another one?” I took her glass and tilted my head inquisitively.
“Sure, you make the best gin and tonic on the South Side.” She smiled and nodded.
“Probably the only gin and tonic on the South Side.” I chuckled and started fixing her another drink.
“Perhaps.” She nodded again. “So, why don’t you follow that cute redhead’s advice and actually ask someone out on a date instead of just trying to get them into your bed?”
“I’d rather ask questions than answer them.” I leaned against the bar next to her. “How did you know my father? You don’t look like someone who’s ever seen the inside of a place like this, and he rarely left his spot behind the bar.”
“It’s a long story and I don’t have that much time.” She shook her head and sipped her drink. “I’m here for you, anyway.”
“Me? Here for me? What the fuck are you talking about, lady?” I tilted my head apprehensively. “Are you about to serve me with a lawsuit or something? You look like a lawyer.”
“Put that South Side gruff away, Joaquin. I’m about to make all your dreams come true.” Angelina put down her glass and leaned back on her stool.
“Really? So—you’re a leprechaun?” I chuckled and shook my head. “Cause, the only dreams I have these days involve a pot of gold—or I’ll take it in cash.”
Lord knows I’m going to need some of that if I’m going to keep this place going much longer.
“I’m going to leave after I finish this drink, but I’ll be back. When I return, I’m going to sit down next to a woman that is so pretty, she’s going to make your heart skip a beat.” Angelina smiled and tapped the bar with her index finger. “You’re not going to hit on her, though. You’re going to ask her out on a date—a real one.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I blinked in confusion. “Are you just messing with me now?”
“No.” She shook her head back and forth. “I’m telling you the truth. Don’t ask questions, don’t read too much into it—just do what comes natural.”
“Yeah? Well I got a whole bunch of freaking questions.” I stared at her in disbelief, trying to process what she said.
“Keep them to yourself. Everything will make sense in time.” Angelina lifted her glass and finished her drink with a quick gulp. “I’ll see you soon, Joaquin.”
“You’re late.” I turned my head and looked at the clock on the wall when my only waitress, Amy, walked behind the bar.
“Really? I brought you food and you’re going to complain about me being five minutes late?” Amy tossed a brown paper sack at me and I caught it before it hit the floor.
“It’s already getting busy as fuck. I’m running myself ragged.” I tore open the bag and pulled out the sandwich she bought me.
“Well, take a seat and let me earn some tips.” She smiled and walked over to Charlie. “Another whiskey?”
“Ah, Joaquin—you got pretty. I really am drunk.” Charlie chuckled and sat his glass on the bar.
“Yep, you drank so much I grew tits.” Amy ignored him and poured him a glass of whiskey. “You might not pay your tab tonight, but don’t forget that I expect a tip.”
“If you sit on my lap, I’ll give you more than the tip.” Charlie’s chuckle got louder as he took his glass.
“If you’re sober enough to take me home, I might let you… introduce me to your wife.” Amy glared at Charlie and then walked over to the next customer.
Amy had tough skin, which was almost mandatory to work at a pub filled with degenerates. She was the only woman in the pub that I didn’t hit on—mainly because I couldn’t risk having her quit on me like the last one did when she got a boyfriend that didn’t like her working with the guy she regularly fucked before he came along. Amy got hit on so much it probably wouldn’t have garnered a reaction, anyway. She flirted shamelessly and I was pretty sure she made more in tips than I made selling booze most days.
With Amy on duty, my mind drifted back to what Angelina said. Her visit left me with a lot of questions, and she didn’t even give me a chance to ask them—not that she seemed very forthcoming with answers, anyway. My eyes scanned the bar a few times, but I didn’t see any sign of her. Even if I thought her visit was strange, I couldn’t help but be a little intrigued by what she said. One of the stools opened up, and before someone new could sit down, I noticed a woman sitting at a table in the corner. She was so gorgeous, she nearly took my breath away—and my heart literally skipped a beat. A second later, I saw Angelina step through the front door of the pub and walk straight to the woman’s table.