Page 193 of Challenge Me

“Do you like interesting men?”

“Of course I like interesting men.”

“Then maybe you’ll stick around. Last call’s in two hours.”

“Stick around for what?”

“Anything. Everything. Guess we’ll just wait and see. You got time?”

It took him a while to answer, but when he did, my heart thumped wildly.

“I have time.”

I grabbed the sanitizer bucket and hauled it into the back. After I’d rinsed out the scent of beer that clung to it, I refilled it. As I waited, I gripped the edge of the basin.

Maybe it was time to pack up and start fresh. Again.

I channeled my best friend and imagined him standing beside me while I voiced the thought. He would tell me it was a stupid idea. Fresh starts were good and all, but running didn’t help anything. Besides, I had too much of myself in this bar. I was finally starting to turn a real profit, and after spending the past year living off of my savings, I was drained financially.

This was my baby, and I wasn’t about to sell it off just because my heart was broken.

Life sucks. Get over it.

Mal was onto something there.

I brought the bucket to the front and set it under the counter. Taking a fresh rag, I wiped down the surface. Thursdays weren’t all that busy here, but I’d be damned if I wasn’t prepared for the unexpected.

The door opened, letting in the last of the early evening light. It illuminated the figure that walked in, and I found myself frozen as I stared at him. Even as he approached and his scent reached me, I wondered if I’d finally cracked.

Amir stopped behind his stool and curled his fingers over the back of it. “I’ll have a whiskey.”

Wordlessly, I turned and grabbed the bottle, this time from the lowest shelf. I filled the glass halfway and used one finger to push it across the counter. He brought it to his lips, and he grimaced as the taste hit him.

With a small cough, he sat down. I expected him to pull out his trusty hundred-dollar bill, but he rested his forearm on the counter. A minute passed before he lifted his hand and held it out to me.

“I’m Amir.”

I crossed my arms. “What are you doing?”

“You were looking at me like I’m a stranger, so I thought it was worth a shot.”

“A shot at what?”

“Maybe you got amnesia and I’ll get another chance for free.”

“Nothing in life is free.”

“You’re right.” He looked over at one of the speakers high up in the corner. “You decided to play your music in here.”

“It’s Leonard Cohen.”

“Yeah, I know.” He took another drink. “Have you heard of The Red Clay Strays?”

I snorted, trying not to seem impressed. “They’re alright.”

“Do you listen to anything mainstream? Willingly, I mean.”

Leaning my elbows on the counter, I cocked my head. “Depends what you consider mainstream. I really liked Keaton Pierce, but you know what they say about what happens to the good ones. Landon Tewers’ solo stuff keeps me coming back.”