The Barista

Yes

"It's almost bar closing time," I say, slightly drunk and wanting to close my eyes. "Can we please go home?"

"Are you kidding?" Rynna exclaims with excitement. "I'm just finally starting to get buzzed. The drinks at this bar are weak. My bartender pours them strong."

"Ugh." Abby drunkenly moans while laying her head on the bar. "She's nuts. The three of us have downed more alcohol than a crew of sailors stuck in the doldrums. How is she not wasted? My freaking head is spinning! My stomach feels filled with gasoline and waiting to bust open...A.K.A. I'm about to vomit everywhere."

"Slap a Band-Aid on it!" Rynna calls out while spinning on the dance floor.

The bar has mostly cleared, and I feel like we are the only three left in the place...except for Liam and Holten trying to watch over us and act like they aren't. I know damn well they are sober and acting like our guardians. Oh! And the creepy three college kids that have been also watching us...maybe it's good that Holten and Liam are here.

"Hey, ladies." One of the college boys says as he walks up to us. "How's things swinging."
I spoke too soon.

"Sorry!" Rynna calls out, still dancing the night away on the dancefloor. "Both of those ladies...correction...all three of us are spoken for."

"Oh really?" Another one of the college boys interjects, walking up to us. "I haven't seen any guys around you ladies tonight. You sure you're spoken for?"

"Yes, fuckboy." Rynna snaps. "We have men. We don't want college boys. Thank you but go back to your table and keep drinking your fruity pebble."

His eyes widen with surprise. "How did you know what I was drinking?"

Rynna shrugs with a wide smile and her eyes closed while raising her hands and waving them to the music. "You look like a fruity alcohol drinker. I'm going to guess the one near our table...blondie...is drinking a whiskey sour because he looks sour."

"She's on point!" He calls out. "I love my whiskey sours! Who is this girl?"

"Rynna Easton." She dances with excitement.

"Easton?" One of the boy's questions. "As in Easton properties?"

Rynna nods, the music slowing down. "Yes. And Easton Royalties. Easton Diner. Easton Finances and...well you all get the idea. My family has plenty of businesses. And you boys are cute college kids, but again...we are spoken for."

"Where are your men at again?" Another boy asks. "For three beautiful ladies that are spoken for you haven't had any men around at all tonight. So, where are they?"

"Right here, young man." Liam's voice sobers me up.

The kid looks over his shoulder. His eyes widen and wave with fear. "Sorry sir. I didn't know...I..." The kid stutters and spins around, quickly leaving.

My lips curl into a smile as I try to be courteous and hold back my laugh. The other two college boys turn around and quickly leave. Liam and Colten together are scary large. They look like they could be two bounces or two security guards with their suits on.

As I watch the college boys quickly return to their table with fear in their eyes, it reminds me. If I ever gave Liam a chance, I'd never have to worry about a thing in my life. Between wanting to become someone big in my career, his father throwing that position at me, Liam's wealth, and the fact that Liam could easily take one swing and knock out a group of people at once...We'd be a power couple. And I kind of get excited when I think like that.