"What can I get for you you tonight?"
The man on the opposite side of the bar was pretty drunk, so Malia was expecting him to say what he chose to say. "You look so fucking good standing back there."
"Thanks." She gave him a quick smile. "What can I get you? Refill? Something else?"
He burped. "A tall glass of you."
"Only what's on the menu, sir." Malia said, moving onto the next person. "What can I do for you, miss?"
"Sex on the beach, please." The blonde said, drumming her fingers against the bar. "Light on cranberry juice."
"Gotcha."
As Malia made the drink, the drunk man next to her began talking. "You'll have sex on the beach with her but you won't even talk to me?"
"You're too drunk." The blonde joked, making Malia snick to herself. "She'd be taking advantage. I'm sober at the moment."
"Here you go, honey." Malia handed her the drink, a light smile on her face. "Make your mind up on what you want, sir?"
His face dropped to a lazy smirk. "Water. And call me a cab, please."
"Yes, sir."
As Malia dialed the number, a call came through on her phone. It was a number she didn't recognize but she answered anyway, deciding to use the other work phone to call a cab.
"Hello?"
"Mali?"
Destiny's mouth ran dry at the nickname and the way the voice came through the phone. It almost made her drop everything she was holding but her grip tightened on the items as she swallowed.
Malia pulled the phone away from her ear, turning to Brook. "Brook, can you call this gentleman a cab? And get him a water, please?"
"Sure thing."
Malia handed the work phone to Brooklyn and stepped away from the bar. She took a deep breath before putting the phone back up to her ear. "What do you want?"
"Just talk to me, Mali."
She gritted her teeth, pulling her apron off as she tried to remain calm. "Don't call me that and please, leave me alone."
"Please, hear me out." Devon stressed. "Please."
Malia shook her head. "No. Do not call me again."
"Malia. I won't stop trying." He called before she hang up. "I won't stop trying to get you to speak to me."
Her breathing went uneven for a split second. "Go to hell and stay there."
Malia hung the phone up and leaned against the back counter. She was close to tears but she needed to finish her shift. The bar wasn't paying her for the week of renovation so she had to work all week.
"Malia."
"What?" Malia snapped, turning around.
Brooklyn's eyes widened. "Woah."
"I'm sorry, Brook." Malia said, taking a breath. "I'm sorry. Bad phone call."
Her best friends face softened. "Are you okay?"
"I'll be good." She brushed it off, hugging Brooklyn to show her she was sorry. "Did you need me?"
Brooklyn shook her head. "No. I just wanted to let you know Ja was here. He just asked me where you were? I think they went to watch the dances but I'm not sure."
"Alright. Thanks."
Malia walked out to the bar to see Ja sitting there alone with a drink in front of him. Brooklyn had to have made it because Malia was preoccupied the last few minutes.
