Page 41 of Capturing Hearts

Chapter Twenty-Six

Brendan

When do I start getting tired of looking at her? I hope never.

“Manny, since my wife won’t get me another beer, would you?”

Annie hears me from where she’s standing down the bar, wiping her wet hands on a long, black skirt, her halter (that I shouldn’t have told her to wear; she looks way too sexy) is nearly bursting at the seams from our baby and those amazing breasts he’s brought with him. Rolling her bright blue eyes, she calls over with fake annoyance, “I reserve the right to refuse service to people who don’t understand the allure of a dinner at home. You know, with vegetables or something.”

“Guinness has a lot of vitamins and minerals in it,” I argue with mock-seriousness. She casts her eyes away with a shake of her head, her long hair swaying in a high ponytail. She’s trying to get rid of me. She’s tried everything. Even the tactic where she exclaimed how boring it must be to stare at her. I just married the girl a few months ago.

Staring at her is all I want to do. Especially tonight.

“Stop looking at me like I’m dinner and go get some! You’re starving!” To the couple sitting at the bar in front of her, she says, without even a hint of humor, “That’s my brother. He’s got a thing for me.”

They look over, wondering if she’s kidding. I laugh it off, “Nice! Nice tactic, honey.”

She grins and leans forward to tell them, “I’m just kidding. He’s my shrink.”

I hold up my ring finger with my elbow firmly planted on the bar counter. “Can you believe she married her shrink?” They smile awkwardly, clearly not knowing what to believe. Turning my attention to Manny as he sets down a chilled pint glass, I throw up my hands. “Now there’s a friend!”

“Sorry Boss,” he shrugs as she glares at him like he’s dead meat. Manny makes a rounded motion in front of his stomach as soon as she looks away, shaking his head as I grin and take a sip.

“Don’t let her see you do that. She’s a little sensitive lately. And today she finally blamed me for her condition. It has begun.”

With guy-to-guy mockery, he sings, “You guys are so cute.”

“Since Mark’s not here, I’ll tell you: Shut it.” Manny laughs and leaves as my wife returns. In passing, she swats his shoulder and he grabs it, pretending like that hurt. With another roll of her eyes, she looks from him to me with pursed lips.

To avoid her, I take another sip, wiping my lips as I look around the room. The conversation is so loud, you can’t even hear the holiday music well enough to discern who’s playing. “Busy tonight. You’d think these people would all be home for the holidays. I mean, what the hell?”

She sighs, landing her palms on the counter. “Brendan, seriously. Go home. I’m fine. Come back and get me when we close.”

Focusing very hard on taking a sip and making a loud appreciative sound, I lay the pint on a coaster that has Santa Claus on it. “Nice coaster. Did you buy these or did one of the brewing companies send them to you?”

“Brendan!”

Manny calls over, “Barb’s son is here!”

I twist in my chair. “Barb! This way!”

After Annie waves them over, she says in a voice only loud enough for me to hear, “At least you won’t be sitting alone anymore. Seriously, this can’t be any fun!”

“I’m having a great time,” I smile, getting up to give Barb my chair.

Barb calls out with her usual flare, “Sorry we’re late! Andy wanted to take me to dinner. Isn’t he a sweetie?” She pats his cheek, her wild, curly hair framing a proud maternal smile. His hair is a lot like hers, which makes Annie and I share an amused smile.

“Hi Andy, I’m Brendan and this is my wife, Mrs. Clark. Stop looking at her chest.”

Annie’s jaw drops and she makes a shocked sound. Andy blushes, his twenty-two year old face spreading into a grin as she thrusts out her hand to him. “I’m Annie. Don’t listen to him. He’s in a mood. I’ve heard so much about you!”

Barb climbs onto the barstool and points to the far end of the bar, nearer the patio. “That’s where I normally sit! Oh, honey! You put up decorations!” She spins around taking in the silver orbs and garland strewn around the tops of the walls and on the backs of the booths. There are little white lights strewn through the iron gates that lock down the patio, as well as a strand lighting up the bottles behind Annie. “It’s charming! So unlike you!”

Annie gestures to Manny who’s pouring a beer from the tap, beside him are several waiting empty glasses lined up ready to be filled next. “He did it today while Brendan and I were home. Surprised me! Isn’t it sweet?”

“I think you should keep the lights year ‘round.” Barb leans over the bar and cups her hands by her mouth, her sharp, red nails glinting in the light. “Manny! You’re a prince! Can I take you home with me? You’ll be my gift!”

He flashes a grin and calls back, “My girl wouldn’t be too happy about that, Barb!” Mercedes smiles shyly from where she’s sitting nearby with a girlfriend.

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