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None of it’s real, but who cares if I made it up? It’s not like I’m ever going to see that stranger again. As my grandfather once said, ‘The smile you put on someone else’s face might be the only one they have all day.’ Granddad was wise, so now I attempt to make people smile just because that’s what he always did.
I’m also the only bartender enrolled in a bi-weekly hula class. Jameson, the owner, insisted (and he covers the cost) because those hip movements didn’t come naturally to me. Shakira, I am not. The fact that all my classmates are teen girls isn’t at all embarrassing (sarcasm), but the recitals they requested I take part in were, so I skip those. You’ll never find me participating in the Miss Aloha Hula like Kai’s mother once did, but I can sell the fact that I can do the hula for tips once a shift.
Just after ten, and long after Conner’s plane has landed, my phone finally rings. I race to the back room to hear through the chaos of the bar.
‘Hi!’ I say enthusiastically, even though I’m mad at him for bailing like he did. ‘You made it?’
‘I did. I’ve only got a few minutes, though. Blake got us on the list for a club that’s impossible to get into as a welcome back. The place is lit, Jade. No Portland bar could compare.’
‘Look at that rack,’ I hear in the background, from someone close enough it sounds like he’s on the phone too.
‘Can you shut—’ Suddenly, there’s a jostling sound, as if Conner is shoving the phone into his clothing.
‘I don’t know why you’re wasting time with that wannabe diamond when this sparkling masterpiece is right here.’ The same voice complimenting someone’s rack a moment earlier comes through clearly.
‘Who is that?’ I ask, hoping it’s just some douche in the same line as him.
‘Blake, ignore him. He’s kind of—’
The phone jostles again. ‘Is this Condor’s PDX lady?’ This time the voice is on the line and speaking directly to me.
‘Condor?’
‘He-he. Is your name really Jade?’
He told his friend about me. That’s a good sign. The bad sign is that he’s slurring his words and just called me Conner’s PDX lady. How many other cities does he have ladies in is all that makes me wonder.
‘Yep, my name is really Jade.’
‘Huh. Why not Diamond?’ he says. ‘Parents afraid you wouldn’t live up and went semi-precious instead?’
Irritation bubbles in my gut like lava. How rude is he? ‘You must be Masterblake? Conner told me nothing about you, but now I understand why,’ I snap, my father’s quick wit surfacing without me even trying.
His smarmy laugh pisses me off. ‘Darlin’, occasionally I may take care of business myself, sure, but when you look like Conner and me, women volunteer more often than not.’
Gross. ‘Can I talk to Conner?’
‘Hey,’ Conner says again, a little more sheepishly than before.
‘That’s the guy you ran back to?’
‘He’s a little rough around the edges at times, but he’s also got a couple of drinks in him.’
He doesn’t apologize, just excuses his behavior.
‘The rock is making you less fun,’ Blake says. ‘Hang up; we’re headed in.’
‘Conner, that’s your best friend? He’s a douche.’
‘Dude, we’re in, lose her. Here – psshht, sssshhhhcccchhhh.’ Someone attempts to disguise what I’ve already heard by pretending the line is static-y like I’ll buy it. ‘Connection’s not great. Sssscht.’
‘You do realize it’s no longer 1999, right? Cell phones rarely sscchht anymore.’
‘Don’t worry, Jade.’ Conner is back on the phone. ‘Blake can be a tad obnoxious, but you know I’m all in with you. Don’t be insecure already, or this will be a miserable engagement. I’m just out experiencing life like you are. Men ogle you all night at your job. You flirt for tips. Should I be jealous?’
‘Maybe,’ I retort. At least jealousy would make me feel like he cares, because nothing he’s done today has succeeded at that. I feel as if he just wants to escape me.
‘Hello?’ Kai’s voice echoes through the small kitchen when she walks in. She spots me in the walk-in. The door is open, but even so, it isn’t making me warmer. ‘Are you trying to freeze or transport to Boston via the walk-in? We need you out front.’
