Page 33 of The Hot New Bartender in Town

“It’s okay,” I say. “I’ll get rid of him.”

Another knock. Another impatient grumble. “Junior!”

“I’ll be right there!” I shout back.

Tish darts around in a panic, scooping her clothes off the floor. “Where’s my bag?” she asks.

“On the table,” I say, pointing it out as I step into my pants.

“I have to get out of here.” She grabs the bag, still very naked. “Is there another way out?”

“No.”

“Seriously? How is that safe?”

“Bathroom,” I say. “Hide there. You should be fine.”

Scurrying on her bare toes, Tish bolts toward the bathroom and closes the door behind her.

Hoping Dad doesn’t ask to take a piss, I make my way to answer the door, tossing a black T-shirt over my head as I go.

“There you are!” Dad says as I open the door. “What took you so long?”

“It’s eight in the morning,” I say, letting him inside. “You woke me out of a REM cycle.”

He scoffs softly, scanning the room for the first time. “Really, Junior?” he asks.

“Really, what, Dad?” I ask, already recognizing that condescending tone.

“This is why you left Big City Tech?” he says. “To live under a bar?”

“Did you have a specific reason for stopping by, or did you just wanna bust my ass?”

He faces me, his mouth sitting in a hard line, clearly wanting to keep on busting away. “You were awfully quiet at dinner last night,” he says. “Thought I’d give you the chance now to speak your piece.”

I shrug. “I have nothing to say.”

“Bullshit. You always have something to say.”

“Not about this,” I say, very aware of the fact that we aren’t the only people here right now.

“What do you think of her?”

“Her?”

“Tanya,” he says. “My fiancée.”

“She seemed like a very nice lady, Dad. I wish you both years of lawfully wedded bliss.”

He chuckles, his smile far from his eyes. “You’re angry at me,” he notes from my tone.

“No, I’m not.”

“Look, Junior, I get it,” he says. “The last thing I wanted to do here was blindside you with this.”

I absently look toward the bathroom door. “Dad, it’s?—”

“I know you’ve been holding out hope that your mother is gonna come waltzing back through the front door, but?—”

---