Big Shot

I leaned forward and cleared my throat, watching the girl behind the bar tap a few keys on her computer before turning towards me. "Shit, sorry. What can I get you?"

She shot me a smile and I dropped onto a bar stool across from her, watching her as she reached for a glass. Her shorts rode up when she leaned over, the pile set far back on the counter, and her thighs drew me in.

"Uh, a water please?"

"You came to a bar for water?" Her eyebrow raised inquisitively and I shook my head.

"I came here to clear my head."

"I think I can help with that... house whiskey is a smooth one." She gestured to a bottle behind her and I nodded, watching her reach again. Her ponytail whipped at she turned around and I watched it settle between her shoulder blades. She poured me a tumbler and slid it across the bar.

"I figure you for a neat guy." She nodded to the glass and I took a sip, savoring the burn as I swirled it over my tongue. "Good, huh?" I took another sip and she turned back to her computer, typing furiously.

"What are you working on?" She grunted but didn't look up, eventually mumbling in my direction. "What was that?"

"Thesis paper."

"At work? Aren't you gonna get in trouble?" I tried to tease but my voice sounded dry, heavy with exhaustion. She didn't seem to notice but gave me a warm grin.

"Nah, the owner's just happy to have someone here. Things have been so crazy lately- some big game coming to town, Stewart? Stan-"

"The Stanley Cup Final?" I interjected.

"Sure, I guess. We've had such an influx of tourists, half of our wait-staff called out to watch the game."

"But you stayed?" She nodded, closing her computer and turning to me. I watched her lean against the bar, her slim hip against the hard wood, and grab a glass to wipe off. "Why?"

"Need the money."

"You don't want to watch the game?"

"Nah, not a big football fan."

I snickered and slid my glass forward. She grabbed the bottle and refilled it before grabbing another glass to dry.

"It's hockey." I mumbled.

"What was that?"

"The Stanley Cup, it's hockey."

"Oh... are you a hockey fan?" Her fingers were long and delicate, wrapped around the base of the cup in her hand, and I couldn't get my eyes away to answer. My head has grown foggy from the whiskey and I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks. "You alright?"

I nodded and looked up to meet her eyes, noting how deep they were. They shone with amusement as she studied my face before leaning in on her elbow.

"Yeah, I just- this is strong stuff."

She beamed with a megawatt grin and her shoulders rose in excitement. "It's our house special, made at a distillery outside of town. I oversaw production for this batch. You like it?"

"Smooth as hell. It's good."

"Thank you so much." She wiggled in delight and spun around, whipping her towel over her shoulder. I watched her sway to the music and laugh to herself. "I love this song. You like to dance... I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"Sidney."

"Do you like to dance, Sidney?"

I shrugged, finishing the drink in front of me. "I'm no good."

"Everyone's a good dancer, Sidney."

My name on her lips, her raspy voice as she murmured it, sent my blood rushing south. Her hips moving in front of me, eyes closed as she took in the rhythm, the way she threw her head back and laughed until I did. I was smitten just watching her.

"Not like you."

She stopped when the bell over the door rang, another customer slipping into the otherwise empty restaurant. She glanced over and we shared a grin between us before she slipped away. I heard her make small talk before scrawling their order on a menu pad.

Get it together Sid, you're drunk.

"You alright?" She'd set her hand on my shoulder and the warmth of her skin radiated through my t-shirt. I jumped when she touched me and she stepped back, her hands in the air in surrender. "Sorry, I just wanted to make sure... another drink?"

I shook my head and stood up, the hard ground welcoming my feet as I reached out to steady myself. She wrapped an arm around my waist until I met her gaze.

"Do you need me to call you a cab?"

"I'm uh- I'm right down the street. At the Mirage."

"Do you want me to walk you back?"

Yes.

"No, I've got it. Thank you..."

"Yvette."

"Thank you Yvette."

I pulled my wallet from my pocket and she shook her head, putting her hand on mine. "It's on the house- for being such good company, and the guinea pig for this batch." I pulled out a few bills and dropped them behind her, ignoring her protests as I turned to the door.

Behind me, Yvette ran a wet rag over the bar. She moved to pocket the tip and her cheeks flushed in excitement. "Holy shit," she mumbled, counting the bills with wide eyes. "Don't be a stranger."

Notes

this got weird. it'll get good.

Thanks