Chapter 1: Introduction
Bars were my sanctuary. The paraphernalia that adorned them were of no importance to me, save the conveyance of one simple fact—the drinkers coming through the door wanted solitude, escape, and a healthy dose of alcohol. Patrons didn’t need a life story poured into their drink, and they most certainly didn’t want the bartender meddling with their choice of spirit. A girl named Linda never quite grasped that essential truth.
Thursday nights were the quietest of my weekly shifts at Tony’s Bar.
After the evening rush, I usually had an hour or two to myself. The life of a bartender could be as solitary as that of a customer. Our worlds simply coexisted side by side for a few hours.
It was around nine o’clock when the bar door creaked open, the jingling bell above the frame heralding the arrival of a late customer—a rarity on such nights. Stretching to her full height, an unfamiliar woman confidently made her way toward the bar, her long, toned legs covering ground effortlessly.
She captured my attention immediately, and I couldn't help but admire her as she approached, taking measured strides with her sky-high stilettos. I guessed her to be well over six feet tall, towering above the other patrons by a good half foot. She was striking, yet there was a mysterious aura about her that left me intrigued.
“What can I get you?” I finally asked when she settled onto one of my barstools, crossing her long legs and setting her luminous green eyes on me.
“Guess,” she playfully challenged, her full lips stretching into a teasing smile. A zing of warmth traced its way across my skin.
“Alright then, let’s make this interesting—if I guess right, your drink is on the house, alongside your hand in a game of pool. If I don’t, then you walk away with that drink, free of any strings attached.” I countered, hands resting on the polished surface of the bar, hoping I didn’t appear too eager. Her smile deepened, elongating her elegant jawline.
“Fair enough, Johnny. I’m all in.”
A ripple of excitement coursed through me at her casual use of my nickname—an endearment reserved for close friends and lovers alike. She may have been a stranger, but she carried herself with a tempting familiarity.
I observed her for a moment, taking in every detail. Her radiant blonde tresses cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering under the soft golden lights above.
With each flicker of light, her locks took on an ethereal quality, almost as if she were a goddess gracing mere mortals with her presence. High cheekbones framed symmetrical features, a slender yet strong jawline grounding her willowy physique. My trained gaze slid to her delicate, long-fingered hands, one tapping a rhythm on her thigh, making her ebony heels bob along.
As I took a step closer, her intoxicating scent wafted through the air.