Page 31 of Icy Pour

“I’m still on the hunt,” Sandy grumbles. “Easier for a man to find a job than a woman apparently. Just because I have tits doesn’t mean I can’t do the work as good…or in a lot of cases better.”

“Sorry, Sandy. That’s some bullshit,” I say as I make her another drink. “I thought for sure you’d be the first one of us to find another job.”

“Me too,” Rich echoes.

She shrugs. “I’m gonna keep at it. Something will come along—” Her gaze darts across the bar, following something before landing directly behind me as a warm presence I’ve grown so needy for radiates against my skin.

“Well helloooo there,” Sandy says with a wink. “And who is this, Johnny?”

“Here we go,” Rich snarks as he rolls his eyes.

I can’t help but laugh. I’ve missed these two.

“Sandy, Rich, this is my boss, Walt.”

He reaches across to shake their hands. “Johnny’s told me a lot about you two. Glad to have you stop by.”

“He has?” Sandy’s eyes nearly pop out of her skull. “Well now. This is interesting.”

I shake my head as I slide the fresh old fashioned to her.

The crisp scent of aftershave hits me as Walt whispers loud enough for her to hear, “You were right about her.”

“Johnny! What did you say about me?” She darts her gaze between Walt and me.

I snicker. “I told him you were nosy as hell and that you’d think he was attractive.”

Rich nearly spits out his drink as Sandy raises a hand. “Guilty as charged.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Sandy, but I’m taken,” he admits, and my knees fall out from under me, forcing me to take a step to steady myself. “This rounds on the house. On account of losing your jobs and all that a few weeks back. Plus, it’s good to meet some of this guy’s friends.” He flashes me a wink before he casually saunters off toward a table of ladies across the bar.

What the hell just happened? Did he somewhat, but not really, kind of out himself to my friends? I’ll be damned.

“Johnny Hudson…are you?” she whispers. “You and Walt? Get out of town! He’s fine as hell!”

Rich shakes his head before taking another sip of his drink. “How did I know this was going to be another night of you two hogging all the conversation with relationship talk?”

“Oh, calm down, Rich. It’s been five minutes. We’ll get back to talking about boring shit in a second; this is breaking news! When did all this happen?!”

“A few weeks ago. Not sure exactly when,” I lie. It was the moment I walked into this damn bar. “We hit it off. But hey…he’s not out. So, keep it quiet.”

They both nod. “You know we’re not gonna tell anyone, but…”—Sandy leans across the bar—“I need details!” She smirks as she settles back into her seat. “That man has a fine ass…does it look even better when the jeans are off? Does he have a brother? Cousin? Long lost relative with the same ass genes that’s interested in women?”

“Jesus, Sandy,” Rich pipes up. “Guessing it’s been a while for you?”

“Too goddamn long,” she grumbles, looking down at her drink. “What I wouldn’t give to be working day and night with that man. You really did luck out finding this bar, Johnny.”

I smile because damn if that isn’t the truth. But my excitement only lasts a moment as I hear the bell ring and the sound ushers in exactly what I don’t need, what we don’t need, right now.

Bob.

CHAPTER 19

WALT

Weeknights are always a slower crowd, and with only an hour left until we close, it’s trickled down to only a few parties left. I’ve gotten less hateful toward the bell ringing over the door, seeing it as a way to bring in money instead of a nuisance. But, right now, the sound draws me to a group that has me shaking in my boots as Bob walks in with some folks I used to hang with over at Miller’s Pub.

My skin crawls. Shit.