Be With Me

Chapter Nineteen

They followed Poe's Wrangler to a small restaurant near their cabin. When she stepped out of the car, Rey heard her stomach growl right as she got a whiff of frying grease coming from the restaurant's kitchen. As they walked into Clyde's Bar & Grill, the smell of fried meat, grease and various spices filled her nostrils. The restaurant's interior was mainly made up of dark wood furnishing, giving the place an old tavern aesthetic. There were party lights with large colorful lightbulbs hung throughout the restaurant and large plotted plants between the tables and booths. It had a rustic, cozy feel. The bar stretched from the entrance all the way to the back of the restaurant with multiple bar keepers behind it and a magnitude of liqueur on display. They found an open booth and took a seat. A short waitress with two long, blonde braids and piercing blue eyes rushed to their table to greet them. Her long fake lashes had a row of little gemstones on them and her lips were painted a metallic bronze.

"Hey, there what can I start y'all off with?" She smacked her lips, clearly chewing gum. She took everyone's drink orders and when she got to Ben, she put her hand on her hip, smiled and winked at him, "how about you, brown eyes? What can I get you?" Ben ordered a Sprite and she flipped one of her braids back, "we only have 7Up, is that OK, sugar?"

"Ugh, sure," he shrugged.

"Alright, I'll get that right out for you," she said and gently patted his shoulder to which Ben raised an eyebrow, displeased. Rey was aware he didn't like people touching him, especially strangers but Ben being oblivious to the fact that she was clearly flirting with him made the whole situation very amusing and she had difficulties holding back a smile. When the waitress came back to bring their beverages, Poe thanked her and everyone was ready to order their food. She got out a little note pad and pushed her pen onto Ben's bicep to retract it.

"So, dark and mysterious, what can I get you?" She asked, ready to write down his order.

Ben looked at his arm and back up to her with a peeved look. "Well, for starters you can stop poking me with your pen."

"Oh, honey," she batted her lashes. "I didn't mean to upset ya. Did you even feel that with all those muscles on ya?"

"Excuse me?"

She laughed, "Oh, don't take me too seriously. I'm very comfortable and affectionate with our customers. It relaxes them."

"Yeah, well, I prefer you aren't."

"Oh my," she smiled at the others, "he's a grumpy one." She rubbed his shoulder and Rey watched Ben's face turn more stern than it already was. Tali began laughing at his reaction which must've encouraged the waitress to continue.

"Are you fond of your fingers?" He asked but Rey quickly grabbed his hand to relieve his aggression. Tali's grin was so big that Rey could see all of her teeth. Poe smirked at Finn but Finn's expression once again was a bit more cautious than that of his friend.

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When they finished their meal, Poe decided to get a round of Paleta shots to toast to their trip. He got himself and Ben non-alcoholic shots and to everyone's surprise nobody questioned their age and Poe got his order straight away. Finn then had the idea to do surprise rounds. Each one of the friends should go up to the bar and order a round of shots without telling the others what it was. They agreed and when Ben's turn came around, he got up and scrutinized the menu. He knew Tali adored Snickers so when he surprisingly found a Snickers one he immediately ordered a round. He sat back down and when they were about to toast, Ben realized. He watched as Rey moved the shot glass to her mouth and before she could drink he slapped it out of her hand and it shattered to the ground. Everyone jumped and stared at him startled.