Page 91 of All In
She places a napkin down in front of Big C. “What can I get you?” she asks and flashes us a smile that I’m sure will get her a lot of tips.
“I’ll have whatever is on tap,” C answers in his signature low, deep voice.
She gives C a once-over, glancing up and down his body. “You look like a Yeungling kinda guy.”
Big C smiles. He never smiles. “How did you know?”
“Lucky guess.” She pats the bar and winks at him. “Coming right up, cutie.”
Yep, lots of tips coming her way.
“Ricky is going to love her,” C says with a low chuckle.
“Ricky is going to love who?” Our tall, flirtatious friend enters the chat. He sits on the other side of me and waves his hand to get the bartender’s attention. A mischievous glint appears as a devilish grin spreads across his face. “Never mind. I know who you mean.”
A small, stifled laugh escapes my lips. I may be in a crap mood, but no one can pull me out of one quite like my oldest friend.
A napkin materializes in front of Ricky as well as Big C’s beer. “What can I get you?” she asks with that same smile back on full display.
Ricky leans his elbows on the shiny lacquered bar as his eyes roam over her whole body. “You’re new.”
She must recognize Ricky’s type because, immediately, the smile falls. “Funny, I didn’t see that brand on the ordering sheet last week.” She pops her hip out, resting her hand on it. “Wanna try again?” Little does this poor woman know that Ricky is a big fan of snarky and sassy.
“Sure,” Ricky retorts. “I’ve never seen you here before.” The evil grin is back.
Good grief, Ricky.
She leans her elbows on the bar, mirroring Ricky’s stance. Her white tank top stretches across her chest, which Ricky notices. “Look, the only thing you are getting from me is a drink. I don’t date customers,” she says with some bite as she pushes herself off of the bar and looks him square in the eye while also trying not to smile. “Especially patrons so mucholder than me.”
Ricky’s eyes pop open in surprise, and his jaw hits the floor while Big C and I choke back a laugh. I don’t think I have ever seen him so gob smacked before. She rejected him with the one thing that he hates the most. Being reminded of his age. Even though he is forty-four, Ricky remains steadfast in his commitment to thinking and behaving as he did in his twenties.
Sheisgood. This woman had him pegged almost immediately.
Ricky’s shoulders sag in defeat. “I’ll have a Budweiser.”
“Coming right up.” Her smile returns as she taps the bar and winks. Brutal.
Ricky turns to face us. “Well, that sucked.”
Big C stretches his body across the bar to address Ricky. “Losing your touch?”
“Ha! Never.” She returns with his beer, and Ricky can’t help himself. “Can I at least get your name?” he asks as he takes a slow drag through his grin.
She walks away, ignoring him. But then halfway down the bar, she pauses and looks over her shoulder. “It’s Rachel.”
He turns to face us, satisfied. “I’ll have her number by the end of the night.”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Big C lets out an incredulous chuckle. “You are a legend, man.”
Ricky laughs as he takes in the bar atmosphere. “They are really sprucing this place up.”
Big C nods in agreement. “Yep. They are adding on and putting in loads more pool tables. The owner wants to start running tournaments here.”
“I saw Givens Construction was doing the reno. I used to work for them. Good guys,” I add.
Ricky directs his next question at me. “So why the meeting of the minds? What’s up?”
I let out a deep, audible sigh. “I’ve reconnected with Maria.”
