At the Bar

Chapter 3 Beauty

Lacey had been at the bar the shortest amount of time, only a few months. Her father didn't really approve of her taking the position, but she decided she wanted her own adventure and life.

That morning, Lacey, fitting into a black patterned romper, her dark hair down, at least until work began. She headed into the bar, and for once, Killian wasn't behind the bar already. He typically beat everyone else, but to her surprise, Ruby was there, she smiles over the bar.

"Uhh morning," Lacey says looking around, at the empty place. "Yeah we beat him today, he has a car thing, I don't even know what he said," Ruby shakes her head dismissing what Killian said his reason for being late was. "I've been instructed to set up his stuff behind the bar here, want to cut up lemons?" Ruby asks.

"Oh, sure," Lacey shrugs and ducks behind the bar joining her. She heads next to Ruby and picks up the small knife. Ruby smiles and hands her some lemons to start cutting into quarters. "So..." Ruby strikes up a chat, "we've not really been alone since you started," she smiled, a big grin at Lacey, who breathes keeping her nerves in check. She doesn't know why Ruby gives her this interesting feeling deep within.

"Yeah I guess you're right, the guys are usually around, umm, how are you and Graham?" Lacey asks, attempting to get more information on what kind of relationship it is between the coworkers. "Oh we just screw around, he's not your settling type," Ruby smirks sideways.
Lacey's eyebrows dance a bit, looking for her next question, "So it's just a physical when you feel like it thing?" Lacey asks. "Yeah basically, he's your basic wolf," Ruby said. Lacey looks at her curiously, "you know the guys that just are always on the prowl for something new," Ruby said. "Oh yeah.." Lacey agrees, still confused in her own head.

"What about Killian? Is he that type?" Lacey asks. "A wolf? He's scruffy but he's no wolf, I think he's a puppy underneath all that leather, Regina's to be exact," Ruby adds. "Regina's? They seem to just be coworkers and friends," Lacey says. "Wow you are a bit naive," Ruby leans back against the bar to look at Lacey's face closely. "What?" Lacey objects. "Killian has wanted Regina a long time, trust me, even my Granny says so," Ruby said.

Changing the topic, "oh your grandmother knows them?" Lacey asks, "yeah she raised me, and she says that it's no secret to see how Killian looks at Regina, he covers it up with that leather shield, but he's loved her for years," Ruby said. "What about Regina?" Lacey asks. "She's just as obvious, if you watch her eyes when she sees him, they start to sparkle and zone out. Back to you though," Ruby flashes a grin, Lacey widens her blue eyes, "what about me?" She asks.
"You know, sometimes I think maybe I'm the wolf, not Graham," Ruby said with her tongue to the side. Lacey stared at her, and the shape of her mouth, in red. "Why do you say that?" Lacey asks, "Because I'm on the prowl more than him, and in more ways," she dances on the words, leaning closer to Lacey.

Lacey stares at her mouth and back up to her sparkling eyes like an autumn moon, her lips part gently, as do Ruby's.

*Door opens* startling both, "Morning," Killian marches in. "What are you two up to?" He asks suspiciously, Lacey shakes her head, "we are setting up your fruit," Ruby grins at him.
Ruby is casual and relaxed, Lacey forces a smile awkwardly looking at him. "Yeah, uhhh, ok, better be to my standards, be right back," Killian ducks towards the back to get his jacket hung up.

Lacey finally takes a breath, Ruby playfully elbows her, "He won't think anything bad," Ruby says. "Oh I wasn't thinking he would," Lacey shrugs. "Just you're that shy? You aren't when play pool," Ruby points out. "Well.." Lacey diverts and suddenly Regina enters. Regina looks at them, "didn't I tell you no crop tops Ruby?" She orders. 

Ruby sighs, "we're not open," she defends. "Well you better have a shirt in your locker for opening," Regina instructs.  Killian comes out, Lacey watches Regina's expression much closer this time, and she notices Regina's eyes brighten at the sight of him and indeed seem to glaze over. "See?" Ruby mutters in her ear, which just wafted the scent of Ruby's perfume up Lacey's nose.

Regina looks at them funny, "going to change," Ruby heads off, "and why are you late?" Regina asks Killian, "I had to get the car fixed, headlight," Killian said. "Didn't know I had to answer to you about not being first in," Killian scoffs.

"You don't.." Regina says flatly, coming behind the bar to place money in Killian's register. She avoids his eyes, "what happened to the headlight?" She asks. "Oh you know when it's parked on the street got broken when the trash truck came by," Killian said. "Oh," Regina shrugs. "What? Worried I got in an accident?" He teases with a smile, "Never, you're a survivor, you can handle it," Regina states. She scrunched her nose, and gets closer to his shirt, "is that smoke?" She asks. "What?" He asks. "Did you smoke?" She asks. "Ok the boss can't stop her employees from having a cigarette," he sasses.

She tilts her head, "what's with the smoking? you quit," Regina says, "Nothing." He shakes his head, "Probably a girlfriend," Ruby implies, to spice it up. Regina starts to scowl, "girlfriend what girlfriend?" Regina asks. Ruby smiles at Killian, who glared at her. "I don't have one," Killian denies. "Not anymore," Ruby winks and heads off to prep tables. Killian shakes his head, and notices Regina still staring at him. 

"Uhh what?" Killian gets her attention, "Oh, uhh, just no smoking in here, and you know those things are bad for you," she lectures. "Yeah I know just had something on my mind, I'm not starting again," he denies. Regina smiles softly, "well good, because I can't waste time finding a new bartender if you get sick from those toxic sticks," Regina said. "Right, wouldn't want to worry you about that," he says. "What was .. on your mind?" Regina inquired. "A woman," he states. She stares at him, "well if she made you want to smoke maybe she's the wrong one," Regina said. "Maybe she is," he shrugs.

A/N- please leave Feedback and comments guys not just votes