Hot Mess (LBSC #1) | Completed

Chapter 25

"I am having the best time," I declared, spinning around on my bar stool. I landed back in front of the counter and slammed my hand down. "Gimme another one, bartender."

Against Malcolm's better judgment he actually brought me to Day Glo. We'd been here for at least an hour, and I'd already downed three shots of tequila and two cocktails. After getting tossed on my ass by Jamesy I would have thought I'd never return to the bar—especially since I told Malcolm he couldn't either—but this place had been my second home for the last several years and I'd felt compelled to come here.

It seemed that my old boss had already replaced me, and with a serious beefcake accompanied by an alluring Italian accent, no less. Quinn was definitely handsome, but if I was him, I'd be intimidated by the new hire. Where was Quinn, anyway? In my current inebriated state I was ready to make amends. Come to think of it, I hadn't seen Naomi around either.

Malcolm chewed his lower lip and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Reese, I think maybe you've had enough."

"No!" I shouted, slamming my hand on the bar again. "I'll tell you when I have enough!" I bared my teeth at him.

Malcolm recoiled. "Reese, you're scaring me."

Quinn sauntered over. "What's going on here?"

"I think Reese has had too many drinks," Malcolm said. "She's being kind of belligerent."

"No, I'm not," I slurred. "I'm not bellijello—belligerm—belli—" I tried to keep the words in my mouth but they spilled out anyway.

"Hey, Malcolm, why don't you take a break from Reese-sitting," Quinn said, inclining his head to the other end of the bar.

Malcolm hesitated and fixed me with a questioning look.

My eyes fluttered open and closed as I waved a limp wrist in his direction. "I'm fine. Seriously."

With a huge sigh and a pointed look, Malcolm retreated to the far end of the bar. I turned my focus to Quinn who now had his elbows propped on the counter.

"So, what's really going on?" he asked. "Why are you so sloshed?"

I really didn't want to bring up Javi, my ex-current-non-boyfriend, with the man I'd crushed on for so long. I'd made the mistake of bringing Quinn up with Javi and that conversation hadn't gone too well.

"I'm just bummed about getting fired," I said.

"I don't believe you. There's something else bothering you."

I shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I'm the customer and I'm always right. Give me another drink."

Quinn straightened up. "How about some water?"

I shrugged again. My eyes were bleary and my now-wrinkled dress was damp with sweat. Maybe water would help. I accepted a plastic cup and chugged it. I glanced around the bar before zeroing back in on Quinn. "No Naomi?"

Quinn grimaced. "Naomi is no more."

I carefully placed my cup on the counter. I knew my movements were incredibly exaggerated; I felt like everything was happening in slow-motion.

"What happened?" I asked.

It was Quinn's turn to shrug. "It just didn't work out between us. And she was a shit bartender." He inclined his chin at the new guy who'd supplied me with all my drinks. "That's why we've got Damiano. He's pretty good."