Love on the Rocks (Bar Tenders) Read Free Page B

kind of answer was that?”
    “Goodness,” Tara said, grabbing Justin’s arm. “Don’t faint, Justin. Someone just turned you down.”
    “Umm, excuse me.” Justin frowned at both of them. “Can you two butt out? That wasn’t a no . He’s obviously playing hard to get.”
    Tara laughed hard, and Tam joined in.
    “Shut up.” Justin’s frown turned into a glare. “He did not turn me down.”
    “Does this mean you’re not into Eric?” Tam looked up like a meerkat, searching for the blond bartender. “Because I’d love a ride on that .”
    “Fine, I release my dibs, if you release yours.” Justin couldn’t care less about Eric at this point. Yena had gotten under his skin, and Justin wanted to scratch that itch.
    “Ooh.” Tam winked at him. “That keen, are you?”
    “I could say the same for you,” Justin grumbled back.
    “ Justin ,” Tara said in surprise. “Stop grouching and cheer up, would you? Have a little patience.”
    At that, Tam laughed again. “Patience? Him ?”
     
     
    A S IT turned out, Tam didn’t hang around until closing. He received a text from a mysterious booty caller, downed the last of his drink, and made to leave. “See you at rehearsal on Monday!” he called to Justin before dashing off.
    Tara groaned. “Do you want me to leave, too, Justin?”
    “No,” Justin said. “Let’s hang out. If I wait here on my own, it’ll look too desperate.”
    “Thanks a lot.” She laughed. “Buy me a drink, then, before they call last orders.”
    Despite all the flirting that’d gone on before, Justin was surprised when Eric didn’t follow up on anything or anyone . After last orders were done, he closed down the tills and took the drawers of cash away, disappearing through a door behind the bar. Justin assumed he was doing the cashing up.
    A few minutes later, the music was shut down and the lights turned on bright. Patrons grumbled and tried to order more drinks, but the bar staff weren’t serving any longer. They began a methodical cleanup of the bar, chatting among themselves. Justin recognized the obvious relief at having a busy weekend shift over and done with.
    He watched Yena working, noting the differences in him. He seemed more animated, chatting and joking with his colleagues as they tidied up and scrubbed down surfaces. Yena really did have a beautiful smile, and when he was relaxed he smiled a lot. His voice was still soft, even in the vacuum of quiet that the music had left. Justin had to strain to hear him at times, though his laugh was easier to hear; Yena had a low, dirty chuckle. Its sound produced wicked images in Justin’s mind, except he feared he was far too drunk now to do much about that.
    Even Tara was flagging, almost dozing off at the bar. One of the other bartenders poured out a pint of water, leaving it in front of Tara with a wink. “Thanks,” Justin said.
    The evening wasn’t exactly going according to plan. He made one last ditch attempt to flirt when Yena came close by. “So, Yena,” he ventured, enjoying saying the man’s name. “You gonna come out and play?”
    Yena gave him an amused, wry smile, but it wasn’t encouraging. “I’m going home,” he stated, as if it were obvious.
    Too drunk to feel embarrassed, Justin pressed on. “Where do you live?”
    “Clapham.”
    Justin opened his mouth to quip, I’m sorry , but Tara stirring in her seat distracted him.
    “’M goin’ to the loo,” she slurred, staggering off in the direction of the toilets.
    She was so drunk. Justin knew he wouldn’t be able to leave her anywhere like that. Even if he put her on a night bus back north, she’d probably fall asleep and end up in Edgeware. Thinking quickly—considering he was drunk too—Justin made Yena an offer. “We live in Camden,” he said. “Well, Chalk Farm. Come home with us, I’ll show you a good time. My bed is really comfy.”
    Oh, the thought of bed was so appealing. Justin longed for his bed. The thought of Yena in his bed