Page 44 of My So-Called Perfect Life
“Why would I do that?” I huff, tired and annoyed. I’m ready to stop thinking about Scott’s betrayal and my continued mishaps with Ryan. I’m over it and ready to move on. “Yesterday was the best way to end things. It was a positive note, and there’s nothing else left to say.”
“But what if there could be something there?” she asks. “You’ll never know if you don’t try.”
Stuffing the rest of my things in my bag, I sling it over my shoulder and turn to her. “What’s with all this? And don’t think I’ve forgotten all about your sudden need to settle down. Is that why you’re pushing me on this? What’s going on with you, Mercy? We’ve spent so much time dissecting my love life lately, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about yours.”
She crosses her arms over her chest—classic move of Mercy in defense mode—and shrugs her shoulders. “You had a great night with him. Your chemistry is off the charts. Shit, he looked like he wanted to eat you alive before you called him an asshole. He was able to take your mind off Scott—and still is, if we’re being honest. He wasn’t a dick when you threw up on him. He didn’t call you a bitch when you yelled at him in front of the bar. He didn’t throw you out when you showed up yesterday, and he was decent about the STD. He even invited you to stay. He seems like a good guy. Those are pretty hard to come by. I’d hate to see you pass one up.”
I’ve known Mercy long enough to read between those lines. While she does mean exactly what she said, there was more behind it.
I take her hand and head toward the exit door. “Is that what you think? Do you feel like you missed out on something or someone?”
“I don’t know,” she says as we step outside. “I don’t know that I did, but I don’t know that I didn’t either. I never pegged Scott for a cheater, so I wonder how many guys I misjudged and how many times. Did I miss out on someone who could’ve been my one because I couldn’t think past one night?”
Squeezing her hand, I softly smile at her. “I think it’s impossible to miss your one, babe. When you meet him, you’ll know. The signs will be there, and you won’t miss them.”
She yanks my arm, turning me toward her. The sun is low in the sky, framing her head like a halo as she speaks, “That’s why I think you need to give Ryan a chance. At least one more. All the signs are there, Dani. If Scott hadn’t done what he did, you would’ve never met Ryan. The universe keeps throwing you two back together. Don’t overlook that because of the circumstances bringing you together.”
The glow of the sun behind her makes her look like she’s delivering a prophecy. “Okay, Mercy. I’ll think about it.” I don’t really have intentions to reach out to him, but it seems like she needs this to hold on to. “If we connect again, I’ll consider things between us. We don’t even know if he wants to actually see me. He could’ve just been taking pity on me.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ryan
The energy in the baris intense. It’s packed. Friday nights are busy, but this is a whole other level.
“I told you Battle of the Bartenders would be great!” Roxy’s excitement is infectious. It’s what is keeping the crowd going, and it’s close to midnight.
Roxy is one of the best mixologists in the city. Several big-name bars around town have tried to poach her, but she’s never left me.
She answered a job listing I put out for a bartender when I took over this place six years ago, fresh out of college. My grandparents had left my sister and me a nice inheritance when they passed. I had known my sophomore year of college what I wanted to do with it. Everyone told me it was too risky, opening a bar in the city where there are two or three of them on every block. But I didn’t care. I knew it was the right move for me. This is the perfect career for me. It makes me happy, keeps me on my toes, and is never boring.
Roxy was looking for a job where the owner would give her the ability to be creative and make her own drinks. I didn’t have a problem with that. Hell, it was just what I was looking for. I wanted to have a bar that was different.
Hence, a star was born. Roxy has this incredible ability of reading and connecting with people. I’ve seen her create drinks for customers after only a few questions, and nine out of ten times, it’s a perfect match.
Tonight, she and Aiden are going against each other to see who makes the better drink. Aiden is getting his ass kicked.
It was all Roxy’s idea. It’s brilliant. It’s a fifty-dollar cover, and the four battle drinks are included. Toss in three-dollar beers and half-priced appetizers, and it’s even better. A night out for a hundred bucks has Cohen’s filled with wall-to-wall people. The fact that Roxy’s gorgeous and Aiden’s popular with the ladies helps too.
“You were right.” I nod, scanning the bar. “This was a great idea.”
Her smile is megawatt. “Wait until you hear all my other ones.”
Theme nights sound like the perfect thing to try out this summer. Especially if all of them turn out this big of a crowd.
“Who is ready for the final round?” Roxy calls out as she heads back to the center of the bar where Aiden is currently chatting up some women.
Marty looks like he’s doing okay with getting all the other drinks out, and Maria and Joel are taking orders, so I grab the empty-glass trays and bring them to the kitchen to check on the cook.
“How’s it going back here, Bob?”
Bob turns from the grill, spatula in hand. “Good. The plates in the window are dying. They need to get out now.”
I grab the two plates of sliders. “I’m on it.”
On my way out of the kitchen, I call out to Mike, the dishwasher. “Hey buddy, we could use some more short glasses behind the bar. Roxy is starting the last round.”
He nods. “Okay, I’ll get them right out.”
