Page 91 of The Barkeep and the Bro

“Hey. Congratulations!” I feigned cheerfulness to fight off the chill in her glare.

“Is there something going on with you and my dad?”

“What?” I tried laughing it off, but I didn’t want to outright lie.

“You two have been…kind of flirty this weekend?” She had trouble finding the words, and I guess I didn’t blame her because this was a horrifically awkward situation. “Other people have brought it up, asking if you two were together. And then last night, you danced with him. I...what is going on?”

“He asked me to dance because he didn’t have anyone to dance with.”

“He asked you? His straight bartender?” Her responses came rapid-fire, the lawyer in her showing.

“I’m actually kinda bi.”

“Like bisexual?”

I nodded.

“Um, okay. Cool. But there were other people he could’ve danced with.” She shook her head, seeming not to want to go down that path. “Is there something going on with you two?”

I was usually quick with an answer, but this time, I stammered. I didn’t want to lie. I couldn’t lie. My heart wouldn’t let me shrug this off as much as I knew it was best.

“Yes,” I said softly.

Her pupils went up in flames. I’d never witnessed blind shock and outrage form in someone so quickly.

“Are you for real?”

“Yes.”

“What is going on?”

I managed a weak smile. “How much detail do you want?”

She clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God. My dad and my ex-boyfriend?”

“I know how it seems.”

She sat on a bench by a payphone, probably the first payphone I’ve seen in a decade at least. “People were whispering things yesterday, but I didn’t believe them. That was outrageous, I thought. Oh, my God.”

“Do you need a glass of water?”

She shot me a look. Water would not solve this problem.

“I know this is weird. It was weird for me, too. It’s something that happened over the past couple of weeks.”

“Weeks?”

I sat next to her to continue. “But if it’s any consolation…” I twisted my hands in my pockets. “I like him.” I exhaled a breath and prayed the truth would set me free. “I really like him.”

Like clouds clearing up, the wall of shock slowly faded from her expression.

“I know it’s crazy for lots of reasons. I’m still figuring shit out, but I like him, El.”

“Holy shit.” She put a comforting hand on mine as she continued to process. I could tell how hard she was working not to flip out. “Charlie, my dad is a good man. He’s caring and loyal and thoughtful. He works really hard, and he doesn’t mess around.”

Her warm touch turned cold. “What are you saying?”

“I’ve wanted him to find someone for years. But he should be with someone more serious, someone more on his wavelength.”

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