Page 11 of Truce Of The Matter

“I’m starting to think you’re following me,” I tease, truly surprised but glad to see him again. His presence is already adding brightness to my very dreary day.

“I’m not but I’m not above it either,” he says then smiles.

Damn! He’s sexy and that smile. I could get lost in his smile.

“That sounds stalkerish.”

“Never that,” he says. The bartender finally makes her way to us and he speaks before I can. “Another one of these for her and a Hennessy Paradis on the rocks please.”

“Sorry, we don’t have Paradis. We only have regular or Black.”

“Black is fine,” he says. Then he pushes on the back of his phone and removes a credit card. He hands it to her. “I’ll cover her tab and run a new one for the both of us.”

“Great. Would you like a cigar menu?” the bartender asks and he looks at me.

“Do you smoke?” he asks.

“No but if you do, I want to try it. I’ve never smoked anything actually but I’ve been curious about cigars. I’ve been to their other locations a few times and thought about trying one but never did. Do you smoke?”

“Yeah, but just not around my daughter,” he says, then turns back to the bartender. “I don’t need a menu. Two Ashton Classics and the setup, please.”

“Alright,” she says.

As soon as she walks off, he turns to face me, his knees touching the side of my thigh. “Since you are a virgin, the Ashton Classic is perfect. It’s a mild Dominican cigar with a lot of flavor and a little bit of sweetness. I think you will like it,” he says. Clearly, he knows his cigars.

“What’s the setup?”

“An ashtray, small lighter torch, cigar cutter, a punch, a poker, and a nubber. All the stuff needed for the smoking experience.”

The bartender returns with our drinks, and as she’s placing them in front of us, she tilts her head up then says, “Here.”

One of the servers slides a tray between Rex and me and places it on the bar. Just like the other servers, she’s dressed in all black. It’s clean and simple but makes it easy to identify each server. My team wears green Redmond’s T-shirts and typically black half aprons around their waists but no color is mandated for their bottoms. Every time I see the uniformity here it makes me want to change that. Even with the variations of tights, jeans, skirts, it looks crisp because it’s one color.

The vibration of my cell in my pocket pulls me away from the cigar deliverer. When I pull it out, I see Monae has called and she’s texting now.

Monae: Where are you? I’m worried

Me: Don’t worry. I’m having a drink.

Monae: Where?? And you better not say Black Diamond cause I could’ve stayed at work.

Me: No. Flavor.

Monae: Which one? I’m coming.

Me: And have Just mad at me? NO! Stay with your hubby and the babies. I’m good. I promise.

I debate sending my next words but I don’t want her worrying or trying to bring her extra protective ass up here either. So after some thought, I send:

Me: Rex is here. I’m really good.

Monae: Rex? Mr. Fine Ass? Your favorite customer? Date?

Me: Damn! 20 questions. No date. I was here and he just came in. I’ll call you in the morning.

Monae: You better and have too much fun You deserve it. ily

Me: ily2

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