“…and I almost got disintegrated, but I rolled a natural twenty on the save. Left me with one hit point.” The shorter woman takes a sip of her drink with a smug smile.
I’ve never played D&D, but I have multiple runs inBaldur’s Gate 3. That’s basically the same thing. I can contribute. All I need to do is open my mouth and chime in.
Easier said than done.
“You really should record your sessions. I bet you could make a killing with a podcast or a stream,” her friend replies.
Come on, Kori. Say something.
“Nah, no one would want to hear us play. Half of the time is melodrama, and the other half is really childish sex jokes. We aren’t Critical Role, and I don’t think we have the chops to be.”
Any time now. Ask what class she plays.
“Girl, I think you’re selling yourself short. But you do you.”
Fuck. I can’t do this.
The bitter taste of disappointment coats my tongue as I hang my head and walk to the other, less crowded side of the counter. Why did I ever think this was a good idea? There is no universe where I make friends by talking to random strangers at a grimy pub. I can barely approach people I know.
“What can I get you?”
Clipped words snap me from my daze. My focus turns to the man behind the bar, and I do a double take. The bartender is absolutely massive. I’m not a short woman, and even with the added height from my platforms, the bartender still has inches on me. His bearded face matches his surly voice. I wouldn’t call him handsome—his nose is too flat and slightly crooked, and his puffy ears stick out at an awkward angle—but I find him striking.The way his black T-shirt stretches against the bulk of his chest and arms adds a whole new level to his appeal.
My mouth goes dry as I stare at him like an awestruck idiot. I can’t help it, though. Everything about him screamsdangerous, and I think I could use a little danger in my life.
“You okay there, miss?” he asks with that same apathetic tone.
“Just peachy.” My bright smile isn’t returned.
I don’t think he’s being rude on purpose. I think he’s terrible at his job. Customer service isn’t for everyone. Lord knows I barely lasted three days when I tried to get a server job freshman year. Turns out you have to talk to people all day and make eye contact with strangers. No, thank you. So I totally get his whole resting bitch face thing.
“Are you going to order something?” the bartender snaps when I don’t say anything else.
Well, excuse me for not realizing he was waiting on me.
“Yes,” I tell him with a definitive nod of my head, “I’m just not sure what.”
“Well, what do you like?”
“Yellow,” I answer without a thought.
Danger’s lips twitch with the barest hint of a smile, and his eyes flash with something. I’m not sure what, but it’s the most life I’ve seen in those otherwise hollow pools of storm-cloud gray.
“Not exactly what I meant, but good to know. I meant which drinks do you normally go for? Vodka? Tequila? Rum?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never had alcohol before.”
That leaves him speechless. And the way he cocks his head and pinches his brows together is comical.
“What? Never seen a bar virgin before?” I challenge.
“Give me your ID.” The sharp command has me fishing out my wallet without a fight.
He looks it over twice before handing it back with a resigned sigh. “Okay, Yellow, I’m going to need a little bit more to go off of here.”
“I like things that are sweet.”
Unintelligible grumbling falls from his lips as he turns and starts mixing different liquids into a shaker, giving me a front-row view of his perfectly sculpted ass. Goddamn, this man is a snack and a half. Not being one to waste an opportunity, I take advantage of the chance to give him a good look-over. He is definitely older than me. The lines on his face paint the picture of a man who has seen the harsher sides of life. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact age, but if I had to guess, I’d say probably close to thirty. Strangely, that doesn’t bother me at all. If anything, it makes that spark of a crush grow a little brighter.
