𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 🥂

i

She poured the liquor into the ornate wine flute, giving the man in front of her a tired smile before handing it to him. His hand brushed against hers and she felt a distinct electricity move through her body, only for a second, before she went to pour the next drink.

'Max.' 

His voice was coarse and rough, yet warm and smooth. His vibrato travelled down her spine like a ghostly shiver. 

'Ember.'

She tried to sound as mysterious and as sexy as he did, but her words came out shaky and cracked. Max chuckled and took a sip of the Martini she'd handed him. 'That's a woman's drink.' she blurted. 

Max chuckled again, his laugh ringing in her ears. 'If you say so, Em.' 'Em?' Ember looked into his eyes, gentle smile lines outlined them and the reflections of the light showcased his hazel hue. 

'What, you don't like it?' He asked. Ember grabbed a wash cloth hanging on the liquor shelf, polishing a glass. She took a second before replying, 'No.. it's just..' She cut herself off, turning towards the shelf once more to put the glass away. 'It's cute.'

Max raised an eyebrow before taking another sip of his drink. 'I wanted an olive.' He took the lemon garnish off of the edge of the glass, staring at it. Ember scoffed. 'You ordered a classic, classic comes with lemon twist.' He took a second before replying, 'Yes, but I want an olive.' Ember sighed and pulled an olive jar out from under the marble countertop. She pulled one out and dropped it carelessly into the glass.

'No toothpick?' 

Ember rolled her eyes and took out a toothpick. She dropped it into the glass, the toothpick sinking to the bottom. 'You're a feisty one, aren't you?' 'Sure, If feisty's the right word.' 

Ember walked to the front of the bar, flipping the open sign to closed. She walked back to the bar as people started to leave. 'Closing early tonight?' Max asked. Ember turned around and rested on the countertop. 'I'm tired.' 

Max grabbed a napkin from the holder placed on the countertop, jotting his number onto it. 'What in the world are you doing?' Ember tapped her fingernails against the wine flute. Max said nothing before slipping the napkin into her cleavage, leaving her speechless. 

He got up and walked to the door, and right before leaving, he signalled with his hand and mouthed 'call me'