Page 26 of Polly

Chapter 6

Polly

The Uber pulled up to the curb in front of Caesar’s Bar, a run down dive in the city where the C no longer lit up on the sign of the small brick building. The building sat nestled between other businesses on the small side street.

“This place is the best,” Flynn said. “Thanks, man.” He nodded at the Uber driver and they climbed from the car.

Polly grabbed the back of Flynn’s shirt, and he led her inside.

The small bar had booths lining one wall and a long bar top lining the other. It was dim and dingy, but many people were present, which probably meant it was popular.

Flynn walked to the end of the bar furthest from the door, and they sat on barstools. He flagged down the bartender.

“Can I have a whiskey sour?” he asked.

“A sex on the beach, please?” she asked.

The gruff looking male bartender nodded and said, “Sure.” He walked away to mix their drinks.

“If you wanted sex on the beach, you should’ve said something. I would’ve changed our plans,” Flynn teased.

Polly laughed. Like that would ever be an option.

“I’ll stick with the drink right now. I might need a few of them to work up to the actual act later, but I’ll keep you posted,” she teased back.

She glanced at Flynn in time to see him suck in a breath and swallow hard. He looked away from her. He cleared his throat and returned her gaze, though he seemed awkward.

“Drink up,” he said with an awkward half smile. “I promised you we’d get shitfaced. No one here will call the reporters.”

The bartender slid their drinks in front of them. “Enjoy.”

They clinked their drinks together and toasted.

“To happiness and health,” Flynn said.

“Happiness and health. Cheers.”

Flynn drank a couple gulps of his whiskey sour. “That’s good,” he said. He made an appreciative face and set it down.

Polly took a sip of her drink. “Mmm fruity. And strong. Another of these and I’ll be tipsy.”

“That’s okay. Drink up. You’re safe, I’ve got you.” He smiled softly at her, and warm trust washed over Polly. Flynn would keep his word.

Polly and Flynn spent the night hanging out at the bar, drinking, laughing, dancing, and having a great time.

At closing, they drunkenly stumbled into a waiting Uber, singing pirate songs. Daylight had already broken the sky.

“A pirate’s life for me!” Polly belted, then she and Flynn giggled.

“Captain, ahoy!” Flynn said to the Uber driver as he buckled his seatbelt. “Take us to where we might find rations.”

The long-haired surfer-looking driver shook his head and responded, “You booked me to take you to a diner a few blocks from here. Those rations still sound good?”

“Oh yeah. Diner. Bacon. Mmm. Aye, captain. Sail there,” Flynn answered.

The driver laughed and pulled away from the curb.

Polly candidly snapped the driver’s profile photo, then tucked her camera back in her purse.

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