The Flying Dutchman is intentionally designed to resemble an old-style pirate ship inside and out. The deep wooden grooves in the floor are a bitch to clean and creak as I walk over them. As a child I used to think the entire building would sink someday. The giant aquarium splits the room in half, hiding the bar from the restaurant. I pause and study the tank until I locate Jolly Roger. He's an epaulette shark I picked out for the aquarium on my tenth birthday. We've had him twelve years now and he is by far my favorite creature in the tank. During my mermaid days the kids would always lose their minds when I gently scoop him up for photo ops with me.
Naturally I’m ten minutes early to meet Gracie, and of course she’s even earlier than me. She almost tackles me in a hug before I make it to the bar.
“What do you think of the new bartender?” She asks by way of greeting.
She leaves an arm slung around my shoulder until we sink onto stools in front of the empty bar.
“Ian? He’s kind of an asshole, to be honest.”
“I resent that,” his deep voice says coming from the storeroom. Which is basically just a closest directly off the bar that houses the active kegs a few spares.
“Try not being an asshole then," I call out.
He appears in the doorway and scowls at me before crossing behind the bar and promptly disappearing into the kitchen, presumably out of earshot. Gracie and I burst into laughter. She slides a shot in my direction. We clink in cheers and throw them back. I gag against the taste and burn of straight tequila in my throat. My face sours as I suck on a lime wedge.
“Blah,” I gag again.
“Thata girl,” she pats my back then does an ungraceful move over the counter instead of walking around.
It’s early enough on a Tuesday that the bar portion is mostly empty. Unfortunately, that means Ian is the only bartender currently on shift.
“I’m just saying, I shot my shot, like several times, and very obviously and he was not interested at all. I think he might be gay. Which is fine, obviously,” she clarifies seeing my face and swings her arms around wildly, “but he’s just… hot, you know? At the very least I’d hope he could swing both ways.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I laugh.
“What? I’m just looking for a good time, not a long time.” She's wiggling her eyebrows at me.
“You are pretty hard to resist, so maybe he is. Who knows?" I throw my hands up in a shrug. "What were his exact words though?”
“You’re the ‘daughter of my boss.’” She imitates his deep voice, using air quotes. “I’d rather not complicate things.”
It's hard to speak around my laughing over her horrible impression, “I mean, that's kind of a valid point.”
She’s very loudly and sloppily mixing drinks. Sloshing it over the sides and covering the bar station he keeps in pristine condition. Hank, her dad, walks by then, chastising her for being behind the bar. Again. She smarts off something about this being her inheritance so she’s basically an owner too. He walks away without pushing the issue as she slides me a very strong mixed drink.
My face puckers and I fight a gag at the taste. “I’m starting to see why bartending never panned out for you.” I slide the glass away from me.
She whistles, eyes locked on the door, “Well, hello hottie. Ian who?”
I spin around to look. When Alex sees me, he grins and heads in my direction. "Shit, he's early."
“I’d call dibs, but it seems he’s already taken,” she smirks at me and winks. "I approve."
“I was hoping I’d have time to warn you. The people I work with in that biology program invited themselves tonight. He’s one of them.”
“This that Alex guy you were talking about?" She studies him again with a mischievous look on her face. "He came here for anatomy, not biology." She winks at me again and holds a shot up in salute. "Your anatomy specifically.” She tips it back as he slides onto a stool.
“This is Alex. Alex, Gracie.”
He holds out his hand and Gracie takes it. He pulls it to his mouth to kiss the back of it and makes the same bowing gesture as before.
“Pleasure to meet you! Thank you for allowing me to crash tonight.”
She raises a questioning eyebrow at me. “Anytime. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Gracie!” Ian snaps coming through the kitchen door. “I’ve told you a million times not to come behind the counter!”
“Dad said it was okay.” Gracie doesn't even deign to look in his direction. She's still watching Alex.
“No, he did not.” Ian says confidently. “I apologize sir,” he hesitates when he sees Alex.
His eyes narrow for a fraction of a second, then he recovers. “What can I get you?” Irritation is written all over his face and his voice doesn't have the typical politeness he reserves for customers that aren't me.
Gracie notices it too, looking between the two of them and back at me. I take a huge gulp of my drink, trying to teleport anywhere. I can't hide my grimace at the taste this time and Gracie gives me an unapologetic shrug.
“I’m driving tonight, so I’ll take a cola.” Alex says coolly. It’s a stark contrast to his usual warm enthusiasm.
What the fuck? Gracie is mouthing at me. I shrug and shake my head. I have no idea. The guys are stuck in a weird glaring contest.
“I’m so glad you could make it!” I finally say to Alex, and he turns his attention back to me.
“You sound funny. Are you feeling okay?” He looks genuinely concerned.
He’s watching me and Gracie snickers from behind the bar.
“I'm good. So good." His eyes narrow on me. "Did I tell you Gracie's parents own the place?"
“It seems great!” He puts on a fake pirate accent. “Really shivers me timbers.”
I glance between Ian and Gracie, the entire place too quiet. Ian is massaging his temple and Gracie trying to stifle her laughter. An awkward laugh finally bubbles out of me.
"That bad, huh?" He knocks his knuckles on the counter a couple of times.
"Yes. That was terrible." He looks so sad I squeeze his arm. "I'm sorry."
Another painful silence descends. The four of us are just looking around at each other not sure what to do next. I look at Gracie with pleading eyes. Help me! I mouth to her. She gives a discreet nod.
“Come on, table’s ready.” She bumps Ian on her way from out behind the bar.
I'm climbing off the stool when I catch Ian's eye again. Golden retriever he mouths to me, so I flip him off. He chuckles and wanders back off to the storeroom. Gracie, Alex and I settle at a table in the back corner.
“So, you guys are both in that biology program Rae Rae is doing?” Gracie breaks the tension for us.
“Yeah. Holly is the PhD we’re assigned to." I lean forward, excited now to nerd out about science. "She’s actually coming tonight too. Most likely with Captain Paul.”
Sometime later food and drinks have been served. Holly and Paul are in the middle of a darts game and Gracie, Alex and I are chatting while we eat.
“What is this?” Alex asks. “I think it’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever tasted.”
Gracie and I, several drinks in, giggle.
“I’ll give compliments to the chef for you," she says.
“Seriously, what is it?” Alex is studying it like there's going to be a test later and has never seen one before.
My eyes narrow, “I can’t tell if you’re joking or not."
“Fish taco,” Gracie answers at the same time. “Oh my god, Alex, I have to show you something!”
“Please don’t. I beg of you!” I bury my head against the table to hide the blush creeping in.
Just when I thought the night had recovered from the disastrous start she climbs over me to get out of the booth and drags Alex behind her. I don’t have to look to know exactly which corner of the restaurant she’s heading to. I’m not sure, however, which picture will be the culprit. The stupid photo wall is like the equivalent of your mom pulling out the old photo album to embarrass you. As I practically grew up alongside Gracie, I'm on the wall through every fabulous stage of life.
Ian slides into the booth across from me. Gracie doesn't miss anything, because when I do finally look over at her she is eyeing us from across the room.
"How's the date going?" He sounds anything but casual.
"It's not a date." I say flatly. It doesn't matter that I desperately want it to be one. "Our entire work group is here, plus Gracie, and you."
"Does he know that? That it's not a date?" He's obviously referring to Alex, but his eyes are locked on mine. There's a weird intensity in his gaze and I can't force myself to look away.
"Is there a reason you're over here, minding my business? Instead of doing your job?" His gray eyes seem to have gone all dark and stormy.
"You don't know him as well as you think." His arms are folded so tightly across his chest the muscles are flexing.
Bulging actually. I don't think I've ever realized before how tone he actually is. In a very lean way, instead of Alex's bulk. What is happening right now? I blink several times and shake my head trying to brush off whatever this is. I finally pull my gaze away and look over to Alex. He's leaning in to study a picture on the wall closer.
"Enlighten me then. How do you know him?"
His narrow jaw clenches tightly.
My hands slam loudly on the table when I plant them there to lean forward. "So, what is the point of this then?" I demand.
He hesitates a few beats before answering. The edges of his jawline twitching. His chest rises in a deep inhale. "It's complicated, but you should trust me on this."
"I barely know you either!" My rebuttal comes out shrill.
“I was totally right earlier!” Alex says gleefully to me. “You are absolutely adorable!” He slides into the booth next to me.
When he wraps an arm around me, I sink further into his side. The scent of the ocean mingles with the warmth of his body, surrounding me in a heady mixture.
“Thanks,” I mutter to him. “I hate you,” I mouth at Gracie.
“Love you too!” She blows me a kiss.
"I could use another drink," he says to Ian. "Rae, you good? Or do you need a drink too?"
"I'm good for now. Thanks."
Later in the night Gracie and I are dancing, and I look over to see Ian and Alex exchanging words. Alex is white knuckling the edge of the bar and leaned far enough across he could grab Ian by the collar if he wanted. I stumble my way over to see what’s happening. I hear something about a council, but trip and go sprawling forward. Alex mutters a curse and moves faster than I would guess, given his size. He catches me like a damn movie and I melt entirely.
“I think you’ve had enough,” Ian growls. “It’s time for you to go home. Alone.” He glares at Alex when he emphasizes the last word.
“I don’t believe who I go home with is any of your fucking business,” I snap at him. “Nor is my limit. One tequila shot please.”
“Absolutely not, I’m cutting you off. And we’re closing.”
“Lets you and I clean up and leave these two alone for a bit.” Gracie says leaving no room for argument.
Ian glares at Gracie and starts barking orders for closing like she hasn’t done this a million times in her life. He gives a pointed look to Alex who nods once. So brief I think I might have imagined it. Then we're alone.
A while later, and after chugging water, I've started to sober up slightly. I still can't help how much I laugh around Alex, though.
The laughing is usually at his expense which he takes in stride. “How do you not know how to play pool? It’s a stick and a ball!”
“There's too many rules.” He shrugs. “I can’t line this up. Can you come help adjust my stick again?”
I roll my eyes.
“What? I’m obviously talking about the pool stick. You have a very dirty mind.” His tsking and shaking his head dramatically.
“You’re doing just fine on your own." I say flatly. "Wait! Not that one!” I’m too late.
“I finally made one!” He’s so excited it breaks my heart to burst his bubble.
“You have to save the eight ball for last. I’ve said that at least five times. You just lost the game. Again."
He aims another shot. “No, you have to hit the white cue ball!”
He’s stripes and just knocked one of my solids into the pocket without even using the cue ball. He celebrates again, grinning wide. His excitement is infectious and I give up, just watching him shoot every ball on the table in.
I dig through my purse when he becomes fascinated with the old-style jukebox by the wall. I hand him change and he shoves enough in for at least ten songs. I explain how the arrows flip through the song options, but he starts pressing numbers and letters at random. He starts doing some kind of strange dancing that doesn't line up with the mood or rhythm of the music at all. When he pulls me to the middle of the floor with him I don't protest.
Much to my disappointment, and despite Gracie's offer to crash at her parents' house, Alex did not come home with me.