Chapter One-Her POV
She looked forward to his visit each month. This man, her man, would stop into
The Blue Rose
for recreation; cards, drinking, and sex. She had learned to read his moods over the past 6 months. That is when he landed on her radar. He had been coming there longer than that, but one night, 6 months ago, he chose her.
Upon arrival, he would be edgy. His piercing steel-blue eyes hawk like as he scanned the main bar room. He was sizing everything up; the other patrons, the girls, the exits, everything. He would stride to the glass backed bar and order two fingers of whiskey. He would drink it straight down and order another. She never interrupted his ritual. She knew he needed time to settle into the scene, but she also enjoyed hanging back and watching him.
He would play Faro, drink more, and joke if his mood suited him. On his good nights, he could be very charismatic, his voice holding the attention of most of the room. On his bad nights, he would drink; find an unoccupied corner and watch.
She never approached until he made eye contact.
That night, was a bad night. He entered and went straight to the bar. He downed drink after drink for the first half hour. Next, he walked the gaming tables trying to settle in somewhere but nothing suited him. He went back to the bar.
She was watching and waiting. She had hidden herself behind a column and was going to make him work to find her. She thought she was being clever but he knew right away where she was and when he did glance at her it was filled with an intensity that skipped her heart.
When she walked to him she didn't saunter or bounce. With him she didn't play the game. With him she was herself even though she knew she would regret it.
"Good evening, Mister," was all she would say.