His

Chapter 4

As I walk in, Frank looks and me and smiles. "You look beautiful, Tally."

"Thank you, Frank. I figured since I'm riding solo tonight, I should look good for the tips."

"I'm telling you, Mason is going to drive me crazy. I know his girlfriend is pregnant, but it's just a baby. In my day, men didn't work about those things. We waited for the wife to call and tell us it's time."

"What do you mean in your day? Your only 37, right?"

He laughed. "Hell, I wish. I still had my hair at that age."

I walk behind the bar and put my things under it before helping Frank open up. It only takes a half hour before a few people start trickling in for afternoon drinks. We don't start serving food until four even though our cooks should be arriving any time now.

It doesn't take long to get busy from the afternoon drinkers. I usually prefer the daytime crowd over the night, but the daytime doesn't pay the bills. Hell, the nighttime barely pays either. With the tips and pay I make, I'm able to pay half of the rent, a little on my car that I should've thought about before buying it for 30 grand, half of the utilities, and maybe some for clothes. It's hard but I've kept up on it.

Four years ago, I didn't have this problem. I had things together with the help of my mother up until the day she met her second and current husband, Larry who's a total dickhead. My first father is even worse. He's an even bigger dickhead and God knows how many siblings I have thanks to him.

Since my mom packed her shit and left me, I'm making it work the best I can to survive, but I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this. I don't want to keep bartending for the rest of my life, but I don't know what else to do.

As the day gets later, a crowd begins to fill the bar for both drinks and food. The bar is full, and my arms are tired from pouring drinks. With music playing, I here and there catch myself singing along and for some odd reason, people liked it. Some girls joined me, and one slips me a five-dollar tip for a song request.

"Hey baby, why don't you show me some moves?" an older guy shouts from across the bar.

"I can't dance. Sorry."

"With a perfect ass like that, I'm sure you'd do just fine."

"Well, I guess you'll never find out." I move to the other end of the bar to get away from him.

As I put a bottle of tequila back on the counter with the other booze, I notice someone sit down at the bar.

"What can I get you?" I asked, without turning around.

"Scotch on the rocks, please."

The voice sounds super familiar. I turn around and see the same guy from last night. He came back. I nodded and grabbed a chilled short glass, put some ice cubes in it before filling it with scotch. I push the glass across the bar, and he takes it.

"That'll be eight dollars." For some reason, I feel nervous talking to him.

He reaches into his wallet and pulls out a one-hundred-dollar bill.

"Do you want tens or twenties?"

"Keep it, honey."

"For real?"

"Yes, Tally. Keep it."

He remembered my name. Jesus Tally, you're not twelve. Get your shit together.

He is quite stunning even with the gray strands in his brown hair. He has to be in his forties, but damn, he's handsome.

"Thank you."

"Is there any way I can talk to you after work?"

"I won't leave until probably three to be honest."

Reaching into his wallet, he gives me a card.

"You can contact me at this number. I would really like to have a conversation with you."

I look down at the card and it says Ryder Daniels. Slipping the card in my back pocket, I nod. "I think I can make that work."

"Good. I look forward to talking with you Tally."

He looks at me with his piercing brown eyes, sliding his tongue along his upper lip. God damn it, he's so hot.

He drinks his scotch and gets up to leave. I'm starting to think that the drink was a bribe just to talk to me. It clearly worked.

After he leaves, my mind is spinning in circles trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Why the heck does he want to talk to me? I just met him last night and it wasn't even really a true meet and greet. He stopped me from falling flat on my face and to take his forgotten jacket.

"Tally! Snap out of it!" I hear Frank yell behind me.

I shake my head and take the orders of more customers.

For whatever reason, I'm more anxious than ever. I feel so distracted right now after having the brief talk with the handsome stranger. I'm dying to talk to the guy about whatever he wants.

The harder I work, the faster time goes by and when it's almost time to leave, I quickly clean up. I tell Frank I'm not feeling good so we can leave earlier than usual.

It thankfully worked since he dismissed me from finishing the clean-up.

When I get home, I take a quick shower and get in bed. While I'm eating some chips and a sandwich Kate made me, I held the card up and texted the number.

Tally: Hey Ryder, it's Tally.

Ryder: Hello. How was work?

Tally: It was work. Thanks for asking.

Ryder: It was nice seeing you today. I must say you are quite beautiful :)

Tally: Thank you, but before we get into this conversation, I just want you to know I'm questioning you.

Ryder: How so?

Tally: You don't know me and want to talk about some type of deal. Plus, you left me a huge ass tip.

Ryder: You deserve it. You work hard and it's okay. I just want you to get to know me and me, you. Is that okay?

Tally: yes.

Ryder: Great. May I call you?

Tally: Sure.

My phone rings and I hit the accept button. "Hello?"

"Hello, Tally."

"Hi."

"I hope it's not too late to be calling. I know you must be tired."

"Not at all, I get used to working until 3. It's fine."

"Alright."

"So, I have a question."

"Fire away."

"Why are you staying up to speak to me? I can imagine you don't stay up at these hours usually."

"You're right. I usually don't, but I didn't want to miss out on talking to you. This may be very forward, but I find you very attractive."

"You do?"

"Yes. Very sexy."

"Well... I..."

"Well, what?"

"You're not too bad yourself."

He chuckles and I hear the sound of ice cubes clinking in a glass. He's definitely drinking.

"I suppose I'm not. Do you find me attractive, Tally?"

"Yes." I had no reason to hide it.

"What would you say if I told you that I want you."

"Want me how?"

"I want to fuck you."