Bar-tending was not exactly the type of job that I ever saw myself doing long term but I was weirdly comfortable with it. Small town, not many people that know me….overwhelming loneliness, and it's all been rainbow and sunshine here for the past two months. It all feels so refreshing, yet I have this unnerving feeling, like it's all so perfect and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. And probably based on the placebo effect, you choosing to believe in this shoe will just cause it to drop.
I shake the feeling off as a lady approaches and asks for a martini. I turn my back to her as I prepare the drink. A smile instantly forms on my face when I catch a whiff of his perfume. "Well hey you," I say as I set the drink down for the lady and slightly turn to the left where Reid is currently settling, with another guy in tow.
"Hey." he says back and before I have a chance to ask he points to his acquaintance and says "This, is Garth, my best friend." he says shortly. "Garth this is Reika."
Garth acknowledges me and I could swear that for a moment I saw his breath catch. I extend my hand for a handshake that he takes firmly in his hand and leans in slightly. "Hey." he says. Well whoa, so that sent shivers down my spine. But I don't show it, instead, I lean it too, locking my hand with his as I whisper a hi back. His brows shoot up in amusement. Damn, he is tall, not taller than Reid but there's something about him, this sultry sexual energy is just oozing from him like a spring and I was having at it.
"Well, good to know that the two of you will get along just fine." Reid says interrupting the 'moment'. He shoots me a look that I ignore and proceed to serve them drinks.
~
"Are you from Lake District as well?" I ask Garth later as we close up Spice. Reid had volunteered to do the dishes as Garth and I lifted the chairs and did the sweeping. "Naah, Manchester."
"So how do you and Reid know each other?" well aren't I the curious little bird today.
"We went to boarding school together in high school, then ended up working in the same department. We've basically been like best friends for the whole of the time we met."
"Well he's my best friend too, I guess, I've not really made any effort to know anyone since I moved here."
"Weird, I thought the two of you were…." I smack him with a towel before he finishes that statement.
"Now, what in the world would give you such an absurd idea?" "The way he looked at me when I was shaking your hand, come on. You two have to have shagged at least once." he says and silence falls. I stare at him blank. He chuckles, "Not even once?" Funny enough it hasn't even crossed my mind.
"No," but I wanna shag you.
"Well, he must really respect you then," he says and dance walks off to sweep another corner of the club. Men are such weird creatures sometimes. "Okay, I'm all done in the back." Reid says coming out the back door. "Me too." I say fast as I take off my apron. Garth finishes up as well and we leave the place to the manager Katrina, who thanks them both for the extra help.
"Will you drop me off? My car kinda had an issue in the afternoon, Katrina got someone to check it out for me so it's not here."
"Sure, you don't even have to ask." he says as he opens the door for me. Shotgun, awesome.
"Hey why does she get to sit at the front?"
"Okay princess, you wanna switch?" Reid asks and we both laugh, Garth rolls his eyes and gets in the back. "You mean in the two months that I've known you, I've never even seen the inside of your car," I state looking around, very sleek and cool.
Maybe its just me but is that a compartment? No a secret compartment to be precise. Girl. I squint my eyes a little bit more and sure enough I notice small lines that look like they are designed into the car for the cool aesthetic but something in my gut tells me there's more to it. I take a look around and sure enough they're all over. Naah, they can't be that many. I settle for they are designed that way but my gut won't let it go. The other shoe.
"Thank you," I say stepping out of his car feeling very relieved to breathe in the familiar earthy scent next to my house. I'd been working on a front garden right next to my porch and the flowers have started blooming wonderfully. "No problem, umm," he hesitates looking at Garth in the back.
"What is it? You're afraid he's gonna fuck your sister?" I say with a slight chuckle. "Actually, yeah, plus, with my sister home my space is kinda maxed out I was hoping he could stay with you." Well I was totally not expecting that. But then again Reid never asks for anything he's got this heroic dependable male thing for him so I accept his offer. Plus you might get cracked my mr hot and steamy. I smile and quickly turn away at the thought. Garth exits Reid's car with a backpack and just like that, I have a roommate for the night.