Page 31 of Whirlwind

“You’re the best, Charlie. Maybe I’ll have to lose bets more often.”

“Or maybe you need to have a little more faith in relationships.” Charlie didn’t expect she’d ever date again, but Julio and Taylor were clearly meant for each other.

“I don’t know if I believe in all that. I mean, Julio and Taylor are one thing, but in general, I feel like relationships don’t work out. That’s why I don’t even try.”

Charlie hid a smile. This was why she loved being a bartender. It was like being a therapist. Or a getting a secret window into people’s lives.

She appreciated that the taciturn man was opening up to her, too, since they’d known each other for a long time. She nodded for him to continue.

“I just figure, there’s never going to be just one person who’s perfect for you. Maybe you’re compatible in one way, but something else is frustrating or awkward. Hook-ups are just easier.”

Did he sound just a little bit wistful when he said that? Charlie wasn’t sure.

“Or maybe there’s someone perfect for you out there and it’ll take a little effort to make it work,” she suggested.

Eric gave her a noncommittal shrug. “I’ll be honest, it’s a lot harder to date when you’re trying to match up kinks as well as regular life. Like, how do you find the guy who wants to get tied up in public on Friday night, hang out with your buddies on Saturday, and meet the parents on Sunday? Not going to happen.” He paused. “Er… sorry if that was oversharing.”

“Have you heard Ben and Parker? There’s nothing that you can say that would surprise me.”

It was true. She didn’t think of herself as kinky, but wouldn’t tolerate kink-shaming either. As long as everyone consented, she respected it. Though she found herself wondering more about some of it recently, especially when she thought about Carla...

No, she needed to put those thoughts away.

Another group came into the bar and she needed to get back to work.

“Let me know when you’re ready to order,” she told Eric before she turned away. “And maybe just trust that there’s someone out there for you, too.”

It wasn’t advice that she would take herself, but Eric deserved to find what he was looking for.