Page 37 (1/2)

CHAPTER ONE

"Face it, Eric You're a fuckboy"

I turned away fro out, and frowned "Jesus, Nell That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

"No, not really," she said, s hand over her small baby belly

I fixedto do with her nancy Not that I wasn't happy for her and her husband We'd all gone to school together and been friends a long tiood reasons, me and babies didn't mix Every time I saw Nell's bump, it worried me I said a little prayer to please let her and the baby be okay this tiain Not to reson in the bar area than falling into grief and regrets again

" I don't even need to look to see That's how predictable you are I can tell when a hot woht up like a cat that's spied a mouse" She paused, then ranted, "Eric? Eric!"

"Yeah?"

She cocked her head "You're not even listening to me, are you?"

"Of course I ae at Nell's insinuation, and an itching desire to follow the perfect behind Didn't ht, however

"This is what I'nat look gargantuan"

"Cal to you"

"So what did I just say?"

"Well, basically you said that I'm a douche," I said "Which hurts"

Nell crossed her ars?"

"Of course I have feelings"

"Sure you do And why do I think you're a douche?"

"Ah" I stared off over her shoulder, catching sight oncefe shown to her table by Lydia Lydia was the third owner of the Dive Bar, along withbrown hair hung down to her shoulder blades and a shapely ass swayed with every step Goddareat But then again, winter with its tight jeans and sweaters, like my new about-to-be-best-fe awesome Too bad I could only spy on her from behind I wonder what her rack was like Not that I was fussy Full, generous, sliood It's like I always say: life is like taking off a girl's bra You never know exactly what you're gonna get, but however it turns out, it's basically awesome

"Eric?" Nell picked up a knife, i ainst a cutting board all i"

"Women and stuff," I said, the obvious answer Generally, it was always one or the other "You think I'm a douche because of women and stuff"

Her eyes narrowed "'And stuff'?"

"A?"

"No"

Phew "Okay then"

"Seriously, Eric One day you're going to wish there was more to your life than the next piece of ass" She stopped cutting to gesticulate with her hands, one of which was still alar the knife "I -term relationship ith Alex, and that was only because Joe stole your online identity to woo her!"

"Ha Ha" I bet Nell had planned that line a week ago, and was just waiting for a chance to wheel it out "Can I get back to work now?"

"Whatever" She slapped the knife down "You're a lost cause I give up on you"

Thank God for that

Baby hormones made Nell even scarier than usual Just the other day, she'd rippedme a manwhore Talk about unfair Sure, I'd slept with a number of women I liked women--a lot But there was more to me than just my sex life It kind of did hurt that one of h some serious shit with, didn't share that opinion

Anyway, forget Nell and her bad mood There were more pleasant duties to attend to on the restaurant floor Being that it wasfor me to fix them a drink at the bar Taka, the waiter on duty, stood behind the counter, busy folding napkins and cleaning cutlery and shit I was good to go

"I've got this, Lydia You should take a break," I said "Get off your feet for a while"

She gaveme hard in the chest with thesoft and sas such bullshit

"Sure, Eric," she said "Just don't scare her away"

"When have I ever scared a custo that keeps this bar afloat"

No answer Instead, after a long look, Lydia turn on her heel and headed out back Probably off to discuss my inadequacies with Nell Where to bury s like that This was the proble the only one with a dick, I got bla A stock delivery arrived late--ister acted up--also ain All this attitude thrownwith any more of our waitresses Yes, eet ahen it was time to s being about a good ti time

So noaround with the staff Female customers, however, were another matter entirely

"Hey there," I said to the curvy brunette

The wo ht nose and a heavy jaw Not pretty, exactly But striking, despite the shadows under her hazel eyes Probably midtwenties

"I'm Eric" I handed over the menu with an easy smile "Welcome to the Dive Bar"

"Hi," sheout theLots of curves A blue sweater stretched beautifully across her tits Definitely more than a handful there, thank you God

"Let uess" I braced my hands on the back of the empty seat opposite her

"Let you guess what?" she asked without looking up, disinterested

"Your drink"

"What makes you think

I'?"

"Why else would you be in a bar?" I countered, waiting for her, pleading with her to look atsmile if she wouldn't even face me

"Well, you also serve food and I happen to be hungry"

"Good point So you'd just like so?"

Finally, her gaze shifted fro over every inch with interest The faintest trace of color lit her cheeks Excellent

"All right, go for it," she eventually invited "What's my drink?"

"Wellyou've got an understated kind of style," I said, flexing the h to catch her attention It was pretty much the main reason I rolled back my button-down shirt's sleeves A subtle, yet i you're into the classics A martini or an old-fashioned, maybe?"

"No"

"No?" I letto take in every detail and not get stuck staring at her breasts It wasn't easy, but fortunately I' into self-discipline Eyes up "Maybe you're irl How about a beer?"

A hint of a smile crossed her lips "I don'tto order"

"Me"

"God I'e" She exhaled "I take it this is your trick, guessing what people drink?"

"Usually I'ood at it"

"Sorry to ruin your winning streak"

"Nah, that's okay" I grinned "Mom always said I needed to be put in ot out of hand"

Soood mom"

"She's a greatabout you," I said, following ht up Yet soaze made me hesitate "If you'd rather I just took your ord--"

"Absolutely not" She gave ic trick, now you need to deliver What did you say your name was?"

"Eric Collins"

"Eric Hi"

"I'm the owner here" It was only partly a lie and it ood Successful

"You are?" Her brows arched in surprise and she gave the place a looking over, taking it all in I waited patiently We'd worked damn hard to turn the dump into the cool bar and restaurant it was today Raw brick walls and shining dark wood Mirrors lined the wall behind the bar along with neat rows of bottles Big s to let in the light and some metal industrial touches

"It's a great place," she said "You must be very proud"

"That I aers into my palm "Nice to meet you"

"Jean Antal"