Loving James

Chapter 2

It was almost midnight. It was a packed night tonight. Aiden and I opened the bar a few months ago and we haven't seen any decline in business. It's not typical to have the owners of the bar as the bartenders, but we both like to be back here on Friday nights. The rest of the week we do the office work and I spend half the time at The Loft, while Aiden works on his newest house project.

I turned to grab a bottle of vodka and almost stopped dead in my tracks. Aiden was making drinks for a woman that for some reason made me stumble. In this line of work we are constantly surrounded by beautiful women. I never give them a second glance. It's just not worth my time. I served the vodka cranberry and leaned back against the counter by the computer. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She was stunning. I tried to pinpoint what was so different about her. She wore makeup but it was simple, and natural. Her long hair fell over her shoulder as she leaned on the bar top. As she turned to walk away her eyes looked right into mine. I took in her small framed face and beautiful features, as she gave me a small smile. Her perfect teeth and soft lips gently smiling caused my heart to race. I watched her walk all the way back to her booth. She moved smoothly and gracefully. She laughed with her friend and then turned her head and looked at me again with the same beautiful smile before toasting and taking her shot.

"Hello! Earth to James!" I heard Aiden in a muffled tone.

"Hu?" I responded more as a grunt as I turned to him.

"I said you're drooling man! What's on your mind that has you so distracted? You have been fine all night." Aiden asked with a raised brow.

"Nothing. Just tired. It's been a long week." I rattled off.

Aiden turned and followed my line of sight to the booth where she sat. "Ooooh. Could it be that the brunette bombshell caught your eye?" He asked as he folded his arms and looked at me with suspicion.

"Shut the fuck up. I'm going to stock the bar. You're on your own with the drinks." I huffed.

As I pushed past him to go to the back stockroom he yelled to me, "You can have her man! Her friend is just my taste!"

For the next two hours I restocked the bottles at the bar and started to clean up. As last call and closing time came I found myself watching her again. She was laughing and clinging to her friend as they walked out of the front door. I walked to the tables by the front windows and unnecessarily wiped them down for the second time tonight. While she was on the sidewalk in front of the bar I shamelessly let my eyes wander over her small body. She was beautifully tan and her black dress hugged her tiny frame so well. I wanted to make sure they weren't driving. Once I saw them slide into an Uber I released a deep breath and locked the doors. I heard the music cut off and saw Aiden come out of the back office.

As he saw me a huge irritating smile spread across his face. It was sickening how happy he was sometimes. "What?" I said half dismissing him.

"I got her number" he said in a sing-song voice.

"Whose?" I looked at him intensely.

"Your bombshell's friend." He said smugly. "Her name is Lacy. She wants to get together one night this week."

"Who cares?" I rolled my eyes as I headed to the back to grab my stuff to leave. Of course Aiden was right on my heels.

"Well, maybe you should. I'm sure she could convince Charlotte to do a double date." I could tell he was smirking just by his tone.

"Who is Charlotte?" I asked as if I didn't know he was referring to her.

"Uh, the woman you have been staring at all night. I mean what's up man?! You haven't given a single woman a second glance in a decade!" He questioned.

"Ya, thanks for reminding me." I pushed past him and walked out the door to my car.

"Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just good to see you react. Like at all. To anything." He said as he rounded to his car. "You know, she kept looking at you too. It might be worth the try, man. You never know."

I dropped into the seat of my car, and just before I closed the door I said, "Meet me back here tomorrow at 11. We have to look over the books and adjust for sales." With that, I closed the door and headed home.