Page 53 of The Cask

“Your GM caught us kissing. Mine heard me eating your pussy. You don’t get to be embarrassed about this.”

A laugh escaped me. “That’s fair.”

“I might have everything wrapped up by nine. Will you be free? Can I call you?”

It wasn’t until that moment that I remembered my plan.

“I might be going out tonight, but you can call me,” I told him, fidgeting with the bag with my to-go salad in it.

He leaned down and gave me a peck. “Have a good rest of your day.”

“You, too,” I called out. “Talk to you later.”

Bracing myself for what I knew was coming, I turned and walked into my bar.

“Oh. My. God!” Alexis squealed, running from the kitchen. “Tell me everything!”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

Her eyes bulged. “I caught you making out with big baller shot caller Omari Fortune and you’re telling me it’s nothing?!”

“I’m going to step out tonight for about an hour or so and I’ll be back.”

She did a double take. “No ma’am. You’re not going to change the subject! You told me the other day that you were cordial with him and then I see the two of you looking like you’re in love!”

“Okay whoa!” I lifted my hands. “Love? Calm down! I just met him.”

“I saw the way you two were looking at each other before you said goodbye. I saw the way you two were kissing each other!” She put her hands on her hips. “That was more than just cordial.”

“We are getting to know each other,” I sighed. “Are you happy?”

“Yes!” She spun around in a circle and squealed.

Her enthusiasm was so authentically joyous that I couldn’t help but smile.

“Don’t get your hopes up though.” I told her as I walked to hang up my jacket.

“He’s your type.” She held up five fingers as she counted her reasons off. “He’s in the industry so he works similar hours. He supports your work. He knows good wine. He’s clearly not shy about showing you affection because he just showed the whole block and everyone on Broad Street. He seems like a genuinely nice guy from what I can tell.” She shook her hand in the air. “That’s literally what you said you were looking for.”

“When?”

“After you broke up with Luchi.”

Two thoughts hit me at once.

I did say that.

Luchi is coming to town.

My stomach knotted and I wasn’t sure which thought triggered that reaction.

Luchesi Washington was my past and I had no interest in bringing him into my future. Hearing from him was a reminder that time healed that wound. Seeing him again was not something I had an interest in doing.

And Omari Fortune seemed like my type. But I knew his character—his true character. I saw who he was when he didn’t know I owned The Cask. I saw who he was by his choice in GM. There were glimmers of a man that I would’ve considered dating, there were moments that made me think what a future with him could be, but then I’d remember. Because I knew who he was. I knew his truth. I knew his character.

And tonight will tell me even more about his true self.

Alexis didn’t get off my back until Louis arrived. We were previewing a new menu item for the festival, so they were busy perfecting that. Around six-thirty, when the bar was almost at maximum capacity, I changed into my red dress and slipped out before I could be spotted. When I was in my car, I sent Alexis a text letting her know I’d be back in an hour.

---