Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 21

Niall's POV

The final question of the night had been asked and I hadn't a clue.  I heard Tomi yell at Ophelia and then Ophelia yell back at her before laughing rather maliciously.  The night had been going incredibly well, up to that point, and moments later, it got better.

She reached out and lightly grabbed my arm as she made her way around the bar, leaning in to me, her breath tickled my ear as she whispered the answer, sending chills down my spine.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yes, Niall, I am sure," she smiled, not letting go of my arm.

I wrote the answer down and stood up, taking it over to Kenneth and giving him the piece of paper.

Sitting back down, I had two new drinks in front of me.  "What's this?"

"Our celebratory cocktails," she said.  "One for you and one for me."

"We haven't won yet."

"Yeah, well, either way, I'm sure we can find something to celebrate tonight.  Had a good time?"

"I have had a good time." I smiled at her.  "A really good time."

"Me too," she smiled at me as Kenneth began to speak again,

"Alright, so the question was – according to Greek mythology, who was the first woman on Earth?  The answer is – Pandora!"

I turned to her, she had her drink in hand, and had pushed mine closer to me.  "Cheers, Niall!  We just kicked some ass!"

"The winners of tonight's game of Trivia are Ophelia and Niall!"

Most clapped for us but Mully and Tomi, did not.  They graciously booed us.

Ophelia and I clinked our glasses and took a sip of our drinks.  "Wow, that's good.  What's this one?"

"It's called "Tub Talk" and has gin, pineapple infused vermouth, and Amaro Nonino."

"Delicious.  I seem to say that about all of your drinks."

"And I'll take it.  Love hearing people give their honest opinion.  It's why I didn't tell you what was in it until after you tasted it."

"Well, it is good, Ophelia.  Really."

"Thank you, Niall."  I looked over and saw that the majority of Ophelia's customers were pulling out credit cards.  

"Closing time?"

"Yeah, in fifteen minutes.  Let me take care of them.  Take your time, no rush."

She smiled at me before going and taking care of her other customers.  By the time she was done, I was the only one left.

"Want me to pay?"

"You're fine."

"You sure?  Don't wanna keep you."

"You aren't.  I don't mind the company as I clean up, if that's fine with you."

"Definitely."

"Let me get these dishes in the back, though."

She walked off.  I felt my phone vibrate and heard it ding.  Pulling it out of my pocket, I saw a text from Mully.

You two are adorable.  Please, tell me you've asked her out!

Not yet.  But I'm actually feeling good about it.  What about you and Tomi?  You seem to have taken a liking to her.

Lol, yeah I have.  And I've already asked her out for tonight, across the street.  She mentioned some sort of bar that also does trivia but later.  Do the same for Ophelia.  Tomi implied she might be more comfortable going on a night "date" with other people.

That's not a date.

Close enough for now.  Just invite her, otherwise, Tomi will.  And we'd both rather it be you.

Yeah yeah.

Ophelia returned and started cleaning up her glasses.  "Want some help?" I asked.

"You've been drinking and, more importantly, you don't work here so you aren't allowed back here. But thanks for the offer."

I watched her as she cleaned, taking a deep breath, I said, "Hey, um, Ophelia?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you doing anything after you get out of here?  Mully said something about going across the street when we leave here.  Said Tomi was thinking of coming along.  Care to join?"

She appeared to hesitate before standing back up and looking up at me, "Sure."

She smiled before turning back around and continued cleaning her glasses.  I looked over at Mully who was looking at me expectantly.  I gave him a thumbs up and texted,

She said she's coming.

As soon as Mully got the text, his hands shot up into the air.  Thank god Ophelia didn't see him do that.