Page 17 of Lucifer's Hounds

Mindy and I are left sitting here, at the bar, trying to process what he just said.

“What do you think of all this?” I ask.

"I think it makes me kind of nervous but kind of excited. What about you?"

"I think I could use the money if the new boss is actually going to do what Kevin said he was going to. Hey, look. I'm exhausted. I'm going to go crash on the couch in the back until I have to come on shift tonight. If you need anything, come wake me up,” I say, heading to the lounge.

As bad as I want to sleep in my own bed, the thought of being alone right now is overwhelming and there is at least some sense of security here. A home away from home type thing and with Mindy here, it’s even more comforting.

I sleep on and off throughout the day. Somehow, I was able to drown out the sounds of heavy machinery in the parking lot. At this rate, the contractors will have the driveway done within a few days. I hear them out there working every time I wake up.

At lunch time, the sound of voices in front of the bar echo through the open doorway between the lounge and the bar. Men are laughing, talking loudly, obviously enjoying their time. I try to ignore the sounds and force myself back to sleep. I need sleep and every time I fall into a dream, I get to see face of the man who haunts my mind, day and night. He’s even more stunning in my dreams and I don’t know how that’s possible.

Mindy comes in around four and wakes me up. I was just in the middle of a blissful dream, somewhere soft, warm, and homey.

“Get dressed woman. There’s a cute guy that’s working on the driveway out front and he’s been asking about you all day!” Mindy chimes, her excitement written all over her face.

I’m not interested. Ugh.

“And, I may have agreed to a double date with him and one of the other guys.”

"You did what? Mindy, come on now!" I shriek, practically yelling.

"What? We've got to get you out of this funk you've been in over mystery biker. What better way than to go out and have fun?" she asks.

"Fine. But only because it's you. He better at least be decent looking, and semi-entertaining."

"Okay, grumpy. Go shower and wake up. Get pretty. The tips are through the roof today and we've sold out of all the pizzas and chips we had in the back.”

"Seriously?" I ask.

"Yes ma'am. I'm going tomorrow to restock before I come on shift."

"That's awesome. I could use the money. Hey, can I use your attic to store some stuff? My place just isn’t big enough.”

I don’t want Mindy to know how serious my financial troubles have gotten. She would go out of her way to make sure I didn’t go without, but she already does so much for me, and I feel like I ask too much as it is.

"Sure, love. You know you're more than welcome to use my space whenever you need it." Mindy kisses my cheek and walks back to the front of the bar.

I try to shake off the longing for Cass that is left behind after a dream of him. I shower quickly, aching to feel him inside of me again. The orgasm he gave me was so intense and powerful and that’s exactly what I need right now.

I chastise myself. Stop it. Stop. It’s done. He’s gone, and that’s that. Pull yourself together. You’re hot and there are plenty of other men; attractive, willing, and able.

I glance at my reflection in the half-fogged glass when I step out of the shower. My long, straight, jet-black hair falls justabove my navel. Dark brown eyes stare back at me, beady brown eyes as my dad would say. And a three-thousand-dollar smile. Braces paid off in the long run.

Rushing to get dressed, I grab my makeup bag and quickly apply eyeliner and mascara before walking out front.

"There she is," Mindy says as I round the corner. The bar is absolutely full of people. There are at least ten guys sitting at the bar and a few more are shooting pool. This is the busiest this bar has been since I started working here. The jukebox is playing Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” and laughter fills the room. The men are winding down from their workday and it puts a smile on my face to see the bar so busy. This. This is what a bar is supposed to look like.

Mindy approaches me when she spots me out of the corner of her eye. “Ready to take it over?”

“Ready when you are,” I smile my best fake smile and give her two thumbs up.

Mindy closes out her register and hands me her paperwork. "Put this in the safe please."

I take it to the back and take a deep breath before I return to the front of the bar, preparing myself for a successful evening at the bar. I take a deep, steady breath. With that, I turn on my heel and put on my best bartender face. I got this.

"Lilly, this is Darren," Mindy introduces me to one of the construction workers sitting at the bar. "He's the one that's been asking about you.”

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