If I Can't Have You, No One Can

Chapter Three

As Lena expertly tossed the vodka bottle around in her hand then added the right amount into the shaker, shook it up to mix with the fruit juices and strained it into a glass for one of her customers, she looked up to see Andrea walk in after a long day at work. She knew exactly what she liked to drink so mixed it up and slid it along the bar towards an empty seat.

"Thank you." Andrea sighed sat down.

"Hard day at work?" Lena wiped the bar top down from stray crumbs and small spills then topped her baskets of peanuts back up while pocketing the tip money someone had left her.

"Like you wouldn't believe." Andrea took a long sip of her beverage. "So why was Kara leaving your apartment this morning?" she arched her eyebrow and had a cheeky grin on her face.

"How did you know she was there?" Lena served two more customers before coming back to Andrea.

"One of my employees lives a few doors down from you and saw her leaving long after you started work."

"She was having a bad day, I accidentally overheard the spat she was having with her ex-boyfriend and asked her if she wanted to have a friendly drink. We got talking and because she had drunk too much and was too heavy to help down to her home, I let her sleep on my couch. That's it." Lena got one of her other bartenders to clean a tray of glasses while she disappeared into the back to gather more alcohol so she could restock the mini fridges.

Andrea finished off her drink when Russell snuck up behind her and whispered in her ear that he was going to find a table and to meet him when she was finished talking to Lena. He gave Lena a nod then walked off.

"Well I guess now that Russell has finished work I'm going to eat. Also you should ask Kara out. Catch up with you later Lena." Andrea grabbed her coat from the back of her chair. "Oh is Sam working tonight?"

"Yeah she'll be here in a few minutes. She's the only head chef on tonight. Eve had to rush off because her mother is sick. I'll be here late so I'll catch up with you another day. Also no I'm not going to ask Kara out when she's just come out of a relationship. Enjoy your dinner with Russell." Lena waved her off towards her table and got back to work.

Sam rushed through the door three minutes later and went straight to the back to the kitchen to start cooking. She had a lot of orders to get through before the night was out. She was exhausted by the time her shift was over and she smelt like burnt cooking oil. She finished wiping off the tables and pushed all the chairs neatly under them.

"Oh fuck... What a day I've had today." Sam rubbed her hand up and down her face then pulled a bar stool out to sit. "Can I have a glass of water please?"

Lena poured her one and gave it over. "How's Ruby?"

"Being a typical seventeen year old. She's staying at a friend's house tonight." Sam drained her glass. "I'm just about ready to go. Wanna ride home?"

"Nah I'll be good. You go home and get some rest and tell that niece of mine to behave." Lena gave her a hug. "Night Sam."

"Night Lena. Get home safe ok."

"I will Sam. You too." Lena waved her best friend goodbye then locked her door. She did a last minute check to make sure everywhere was locked then went into her office situated in the back of the bar to count up the nights takings.

She was about to put the money in the safe when she heard the front door creak open. Grabbing the steel baseball bat she keeps by her desk, she crept out and took a swing at the intruder.

"Fucking hell Lena! Careful where you swing that thing. Could have just about taken my head clean off my shoulders!"

"What the fuck Lex! I could have seriously hurt you. What are you doing here?" Lena put the bat down.