Page 29 of One Chance to Stay
“Did you know she can smile? She must have gotten that from her mom. ‘Cause there’s no way she inherited her dad’s personality.” I leaned across the bar, getting dangerously closeto the burly man. “Unless you’re secretly a giddy man who smiles when nobody’s looking.”
Nothing.
“I’m glad you came.”
“Grace made me.”
“I’m glad Grace made you.”
It wasn’t my imagination. The corner of his lip turned up. From him, it might as well be a bear hug followed by a high-five. Barely noticeable, it eased the tension in my shoulders. Things between us could have been weird, but he gave me permission to set aside my worry. Now that I knew it was possible, I’d strive for another.
I flashed a grin. “Seamus, welcome to my world.” I gestured to the entire bar. “Are you ready to be dazzled?”
I didn’t wait for an answer. Pulling a beer from the sink filled with ice, I set it down in front of him. I snatched the bottle opener, spinning it between my fingers like a pro. It hooked on the cap, and I paused, narrowing my eyes and shaking my head. No, no beer for him.
I lifted a snifter, waggling my eyebrows. He held still as if made of granite. I let the glass roll down my arm, reaching my elbow, and I snapped it into the air. With a quick spin, I caught it behind my back, slamming it in front of him. Moving onto the ice scoop, I dropped one, two, three, four cubes.
Still nothing.
I reached into the bag, pulling the bourbon I thought the fine gentlemen of this bachelor party would devour. Not all of Seamus’s friends had his refined palette. Balancing it on one finger, I gave it a light spin. Despite pulling out every ounce of bartender flair, he didn’t move. I’m not sure he even blinked as I put on a show. It ended with popping the cork and pouring him a drink.
“Thanks.”
“Thanks? I did everything but a backflip, and all I get from you is a thanks? Seamus, where is your love of the dramatic? The flair? Do I need to juggle?” He held up the glass and offered a small salute. “You better leave a big tip.”
Sliding off his stool, he reached into his pocket and held up a couple of dollars before sliding them into the jar. Unable to read him, I nearly let out a slight growl.
“It’s plenty big,” he mumbled with a slight lift of the brow.
I— Did he— As he walked away, I nearly laughed out loud. Three words, and my stoic grump landed a blow to the gut. Now that he mentioned it, I couldn’t help but imagine him butt naked as he exited the room. Three small words described a part of him I would call anything but small.
As soon as he vanished down the hallway, a man appeared at the door next to the bar. Wearing a tiara, he had what I’d call a goofy smile, showing enough teeth to be a serial killer.
“I owe Abraham,” he said as he leaned over the bar.
“I hear congratulations are in order.” He could only be the infamous Walter. Evelyn had told me enough stories to know he could only be one of two men. “Where’s your other half?”
“Harvey? He’s getting the snacks before the game.”
I snorted. Yup, she warned me about Walter and his platonic life mate. When I asked if Harvey would be the best man, Evelyn laughed. Apparently, that wasn’t honor enough. Walter demanded that his best friend give him away.
“I might have drank Frank’s cocktail. Can you whip up two more? No. Make that three. Harvey will want one.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Nowthisis a bachelor party I could get behind. Cocktails, snacks, and a football game. We’d see if the night ended with regrets or somebody hugging the toilet. If I could bang the drinks out fast enough, maybe I’d get more face time with a certain handsome man.
“Let’s get the groom-to-be a drink.”
With a final wipe of the counter, I decided to wander about the second floor of the American Legion. The walls were covered in plaques dedicated to their contributions to the community. More than a few medals hung with the owner in a nearby photo. I knew nothing about military life, but I could feel the pride as I moved from one photograph to the next.
The party moved to a room filled with a dozen oversized recliners and a massive television. Try as I might to bring a bit of flair to the party, the only one still drinking cocktails was Harvey. It’d explain why he snored loudly as the rest of their bachelor party screamed at the television, swearing that the refs were on the take.
I continued wandering and found an empty office. On the door, a placard read, ‘Commander,’ while the desk sat under a mountain of paperwork. I knew the town had its fair share of veterans, but I didn’t think they did more than run the monthly Bingo night. It didn’t seem they were short on administrative work.
A loud clack from the furthest room grabbed my attention. Following the walls lined in dark paneling, I stepped into a large room with nothing more than a pool table and a couple of high-top tables in the corner. Seamus stood over the table, racking up the balls.
“You play?” I asked.
He finished setting up the table before giving me a lengthy stare. The others were on the other side of the Legion, leaving the two of us alone. I wanted to ask him about the other night, but with even the slightest chance of being overheard, I kept my questions to myself. There’d be a time and place.
