Squeezing my eyes tight, I thought about how quickly he had become the heartbeat of my entire existence, his presence alone filling my darkest skies with promise. It was with him by my side that the possibility of my long held dream for a happy ever after felt attainable. I could picture the man of my dreams who waited at the end of that aisle. It was the tempestuous thunderstorm himself who only around me, would clear his skies to let the rainbow peek through.
Sebastian
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“SebastianMicallef,themanhimself! What’s up, my brother?” I laughed at Cooper’s greeting, not sure why I was surprised given the strange and dramatic things he often said whenever I answered his calls.
“Come into the club tonight! Want you to see your drop in the prime position on the top shelf. I’m looking at her right now and she is the highlight of the bar,” his response was a deep chuckle.
“My man. I’ll be there at about eight-ish. I’ll need a drink anyway, been interviewing all day for a book-keeper, and fuck me, I swear some of these fools think they are an accountant just because they own a calculator.”
“That bad, hey?” He mentioned recently that as his business increased, he needed someone to do his books. I’d recommended my accountant, but he needed someone full time and knowing Cooper, he needed someone he trusted wholeheartedly before he hired them.
“Worse than you could imagine. Gotta go, there's a dude here in suspenders–” his exhausted sigh filling the phone, “and he's using a walking stick. I think he's my next interview.”
“See you at eight,” I said, laughing as I hung up, knowing he would be suffering with the long afternoon he had before he would get here.
Sitting back, I stretched my arms above my head and pressed myself into the back of the chair in an attempt to gain some muscular relief. The last few hours were productive and getting through the boring admin always made me feel a little lighter. Although, I had to admit, I wasn’t getting any younger and sitting down for long periods these days brought with it stiff muscles.
I finished the last of my emails before briefing Wayne and changed into my regular work attire ready for another busy Friday night. Marlee and I had barely been able to see each other again this week so I was pleased she was coming in later tonight and staying over.
Since the first night she slept at my house, I discovered I wasn’t sleeping well without her. She was busy with work and she spent long nights at the Centre as some of the kids needed a place where it was safe. I tried not to push, but I hated that our schedules didn’t align well, especially with me working nights on weekends. Glancing at the cameras and through the window, the club was already pumping and before conducting my regular walk through, I sent her a text.
Sebastian
Can’t wait to see you tonight. Have your favourite meal ready for you.
My phone buzzed with a reply before I’d even put it in my pocket and I grinned.
Marlee
Me too. Should be there in a few hours. I’m on bridesmaid duties - planning the bachelorette.
Hmmmm - my favourite meal?
Also,how do you think Andy would feel about strippers?
Three of them?
Andy would absolutely hate that and I didn’t like the thought either. Having naked, slimy blokes around Marlee made me feel lethal, a mist of jealousy stroking against my skin. I wanted to admit that but I took a breath and tucked the envy away.
Sebastian
No strippers. Unless you want me stripping just for you. And your favourite meal, remember? Sausage. Made it myself.
Marlee
OMG! I just laughed way too loud.
I am salivating already.
See you soon, babe.
I was still grinning as I hit the floor of the club and checked in with the VIPs. As always, it was full and with a few reality tv stars in, there was a bigger than normal crowd. Walking over to the main floor, I noticed the bartenders were smashed and I jumped behind to lend them a hand. Most continued to work as normal, other than Clara, who knocked her hip into mine as she came to serve the patrons closer to me. We didn’t have time to talk, which suited me just fine, as I definitely read between the lines of her greeting and didn’t fucking like her familiarity.I still needed to speak to her, but she hadn’t even crossed my mind again until now.
I handed the customer his three schooners, sorting out the payment before moving on to the next group waiting. This continued for a while until I saw Cooper arrive and take a seat at the bar.
“S’up brother,” I said as we slapped palms before turning and grabbing his latest brew from the shelf.
