Her friend took a stool, and Lexa sat between us. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
I rapped my knuckles on the bar, and Glen spun around from where he’d been talking to Smitty, who was still in the thralls of nasty jokes. Glen walked over and poured my next beer as he smiled for the ladies.
“What can I get for you two lovely ladies?” He flashed his eyes as Bre, and she grinned back as her cheeks stained with blush.
“I’ll have a Long Island iced tea.” Bre raked her fingers through her hair and looked Glen up and down and elbowed Lexa who ordered a Corona with lime.
As Glen dropped the drinks, I introduced him. “This is Lexa and Bre.”
“I can’t tell you how nice it is to finally meet you. Aiden’s told me a lot.” He offered his hand and Lexa took it.
“All good, but not too good?” She cocked a brow at me and laughed.
Her friend stuck her hand out and introduced herself. “Breanna Lively.”
“So, you’re related.” I nudged Lexa, who still seemed shaken, but she turned and threw her arm around her friend.
“Yes, cousins, friends, we’re practically sisters.” Glen gave me a shrug as she threw her arm around me, dropping her friend who leaned forward on the bar.
Lexa glanced up at me with wide eyes. “I’m glad we met up. I hope everything turned out okay today.” She ran her fingers through my hair, and I nodded as I sipped my beer.
“Things are much better now. I’m glad you stopped by, but you should have told me you were coming out here and I’d have walked you in. This isn’t the safest place for two beautiful women to be at night.”
“Believe it or not, the two of us have been to some scary places over the years.” I didn’t like the sound of that and hoped she’d be more careful. She turned and got Glen’s attention as he made small talk with Bre. “Hey, how’s your cut doing?”
“Stitches come out soon, and it’s healing a lot better than expected, considering my job. But I tell you what, if I get lemon juice in it one more time, I might just quit and close the place down.”
Bre scrunched up her face. “Ooh, I bet that stings.”
“Yeah, it’s not much fun. Remind me to hide the knives when this one comes around. He’s bad luck.” Glen pointed at me and then stepped over to where Smitty was still entertaining his crowd. His speech was so slurred that you couldn’t tell when he hit the punchline and the only way anyone knew it was time to laugh was when he did.
“Who’s the charmer?” Lexa nodded toward the old man.
“His name is Smitty. He’s the bar’s mascot and Glen’s best customer.” I watched as she tried to listen, but she shook her head and laughed with the others.
“Well, this is some place.”
“I’ve drowned a lot of grief right here on this very stool. So much, in fact, that it’s reserved for my ass only.”
She gave Bre a nudge, and the two exchanged a look. “Hear that, Bre? He’s got his own barstool.” She slid her gaze back to me with a smile.
“I think you’ve found a winner,” Bre whispered to Lexa, but loud enough for me to hear.
“Oh, so I have the best friend’s approval? Is that what this little rendezvous was all about?” I gave Bre a wink.
She threw her arm around Lexa. “My approval is everything. You’re lucky you’re cute.”
We continued talking until Bre’s phone rang and she turned away to take it.
I took the time to brush a stray strand of hair from Lexa’s face and tuck it behind her ear. “I’m looking forward to our date.”
“I bet you are. Transvestite sword fighting, I believe you said?” I nodded and laughed. “As long as they’re using actual swords, count me in.” She turned up her beer and took a hearty swig for someone so petite.
“What else would they be using?” I wanted her to answer, but instead, her eyes widened, and she began giggling. Bre hung up the phone and pulled her closer, whispering something too low to hear.
Lexa turned back toward me and finished her last sip of beer, then she slammed the bottle down on the glass hard and met my eyes with a hint of sadness. “We have to go. I’ll call you later, though.” She leaned in and kissed my lips. I hated to see her go. I couldn’t offer to take her home and leave her friend alone, but the temptation to take her to bed had my pulse racing.
The two of them waved their goodbyes to Glen, and when I returned from walking them out, he met me at my spot. “Woo-wee, that’s some hotness, right there, and she was checking up on you.”