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“Thanks,” I manage quietly, then as discreetly as I can shake my head to get the message across that we should act like strangers. But in that moment, his date, the beautiful Tara sits down next to him and smiles right at me.
“Julie!” she says by way of greeting, in a joyous voice like she’s so happy to see me.
Agostina’s ears perk up as she walks over to our side of the bar, dropping off my usual glass of wine, and I refrain from slamming my head onto it.
“Clients?” Agostina asks in casual conversation, uncorking a wine bottle in a swift move and pouring two glasses for a couple that just arrived.
I shake my head more vigorously now and they finally catch on.
“Oh, no, no. I was talking about somebody else, sorry!” Tara says, stuttering her way through, but I don’t miss the smile that graces Logan’s lips as he takes another sip. The one that wraps around the rim of the glass, curving so slightly, mouth opening to drink.
Honestly, I’m the worst. He’s got a girlfriend, and she’s sittingright there. I’ve got no business thinking about his smiling lips, for crying out loud.
“So, when’s your flight, T?” I ask to change the subject, using her nickname.
When Agostina was in middle school, she went through a phase where she hated her name and wanted to be called Tina.Once she got to high school, everybody just started calling her T, and it stuck.
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
She’s taking a quick trip to visit a friend in Jersey.
“Come with me,” she says casually.
“I can’t. I have to work.” It’s always the same story. She pushes me to do things with her; I have to inform her that I have responsibilities.
“You know you get paid time off right? You are aware that you are allowed a vacation?”
Responsibilities have loopholes, too, she reminds me. I take a sip of my own drink ready to end this topic of conversation that I dragged us both into.
“She’s got better sense than to go on vacation with you, that’s the problem,” I hear a voice from behind me say. It’s Manny, T’s best friend and coworker.
“Hi, Manny.” I give him a kiss on the cheek and a smile in greeting.
“Is Delfi coming tonight?” He asks as he grabs a tray of cocktails.
“She’s running late, but she should be here soon.”
“Don’t you have tables to tend to?” T asks.
“Listen to her,” he says to me. “Not even lead bartender yet and it’s already going to her head. I’ll be back in a bit!” He waves as he walks away.
“You don’t have to come with me, but you still have to take me to the airport,” Agostina adds in as a reminder.
“Yes, I know,” I sigh.
Shortly after, Delfina walks in, stopping short when she sees my hair.
“No way!” she shrieks. “Your hair looks so good!”
The whole bar can hear this compliment. I sneak a glance at Logan and Tara who have looked up from their ownconversation in curiosity. Logan gives me a small smile, and I whip back to Delfi, face flushed.
“Thanks,” I mutter, running my hand through the strands again. She adds her hand, messing with the ends, running them through their fingers. She beams at me, as she always does. Delfi is one big ray of sunshine, always has been, even as kids. I smile back at her, like we have our own language between us.
“Hey bartender!” she calls out, adjusting on the barstool.
“You’re so cute,” T says, deadpan. She leans against the bar and Delfi gives her a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll take a mojito, please,” she calls out in a sing-song voice.
