Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 39

Niall's POV

When I arrived at the bar, I saw Ophelia and Mully in what, at first, appeared to be a rather heated discussion.  I was on the phone with a friend when I walked in.  She saw me pretty quickly and her face relaxed and lit up a bit.  I gestured to my phone as I smiled at her.  I have to admit, I really liked that she seemed glad to see me.  I mean, she knew I was coming, but still, knowing she was happy to see me made me feel good.

When I was done with my phone call, I made my way to the empty seat next to Mully just as Tomi came up to them.  She was a super cute girl and so freaking short.  She and Mully made an interesting pair just from height alone; not to mention how outspoken she tended to be.  Mully has definitely met his match.  I hold back a laugh at the thought of it. 

"You two off?" I asked, as I finally reached the bar.

They both turned to me. The expression on Mully's face was a little odd.  He looked almost...guilty.

"Yep.  Actually I had a nice little chat with Ophelia. Was telling her how I'd like to get to know her a little bit more seeing as how she's taking up a lot of your time and she's Tomi's best friend. Was thinking we should plan a little barbecue or something so we can all get to know each other a little bit better and she agreed." He smiled at me but his smile was still a little off. 

I turned to look at Ophelia who had walked off to talk to a customer.  "Yeah?  Tara and I were actually talking about something similar earlier."

"Yeah, she mentioned it to me so I ran it by Ophelia."

"But not me?" Tomi said, speaking up for the first time.

"I was going to but you were busy.  Ophelia and I were talking and I mentioned it would be lovely to get to know her better.  I mean, like I said, she's your best friend and it seems she's Niall's...somebody."  He smiled down at her.

"I think it's a great idea.  I mean, I'd love to get to know you a bit more too, Tomi," I said, smiling at her.

"Didn't say it was a bad idea.  Just let us know when since, obviously, Ophelia and I work several days a week and on weekends."

"We'll figure it out," I said.  "Sunday's seem to be good days for you both, right?"

"Usually, yes."

"Well, maybe next week we can do something?" Mully asked, a little too eagerly.

"Ophelia is the one you really need to ask, she's in school and I know the semester is ending soon, I don't know if she has finals she needs to be preparing for."

"I'll find that out.  We'll figure it out.  Maybe we could do this when her semester is over and she can relax before her summer class starts?" I suggested.

"That might be a better idea," Tomi said.  "That girl works herself to death sometimes.  Kinda glad you came around, Niall.  She's relaxing and having a bit of fun."

I smiled at Tomi's comment.

"You two still here?" 

I smiled when I heard the voice I had missed, despite having only left her when she left to come here.

"Gee, you would think they're trying to get rid of us," Tomi said, pretending to be offended.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she said, smiling before she looked over at me and her smile got bigger which, in turn, made mine get bigger.

"Oh, god, they're smiling way too big right now, let's get out of here before they do anything else overly cutesy," Tomi said, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I said, smirking at them as they said goodnight and walked out the door.  I turned to Ophelia, she was watching them leave, an odd look on her face.  "You okay?" I asked.

She looked over at me and smiled.  "Yeah, come sit down here."  She motioned her head for me to follow her.  I did and ended up at the seat at the end of the bar where she could stand next to me, which she immediately did, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me.

"I realize it's only been a few hours since I last saw you, but I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you, too," I whispered, smiling at her.

"Wish I could give you a kiss but I'm going to guess that I shouldn't," she said, looking at me, hoping I'd say she was wrong.

"I wish you could too," I said.  "I'm sorry about that."

She shrugged, "It's okay.  I get it."  She smiled but there seemed to be something sad behind it. I hated that it had to be this way.

"You having a good night?" I asked, as she stepped back behind the bar and pulled out a glass to start making a drink. 

"Yeah, I guess.  We had an early rush and will probably get a late rush here soon.  I'm surprised you came as early as you did.  Not that I'm complaining; I just don't want you to be bored if I get busy."

"It's fine.  I was going crazy just sitting at my house anyway, especially once Mully heard from Tomi and he started to get ready.  I just didn't feel like sitting at home, alone."

"Well, I'm glad you came early.  Gives me someone I actually want to talk to," she said this as she continued to make the drink.

"Whatcha making?" I asked.

"Your drink," she said.

"What's this one called?"

"Tomi's Tea.  She created it."

"So, no actual tea is in it?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, kind of like how a Long Island Tea doesn't actually have tea in it," she said, smirking at me.

"Point taken.  It looks delicious," I said as she placed it in front of me.

She looked towards the end of the bar as I took a sip.  We both saw two people sit down. 

"Fuck.  I guess I gotta get back to work."  Her eyes fell a bit.  I smiled at her.  "What?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"What's that look for?"

"Oh, uh, you just look so cute when you're disappointed.  You don't wanna go back to work, you wanna stay and talk to me," I said, smiling at her.

She rolled her eyes, "Well, that's a no brainer.  Of course, I'd rather talk to you.  I'd much rather be doing a lot of things with you than be here, stuck with snarky bar guests."  She winked at me. "Anywho, I need to go greet them.  Let me know if you like it."  She smiled at me before she walked off to greet them.