HI Readers!
This is my first submission here, though I've been a long time reader. Feedback is welcomed!
A very special thank you to Gapster777 for editing this for me. I would be lost without you.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
- R.C.C.
————————————————————
"Fuck, I'm going to be late," I muttered as the crowded bus crept down 3rd Avenue towards Benaroya Hall.
It was a dreary Friday night. I just hoped the bar crowd wouldn't be affected by it. I mean, come on, we live in Seattle, it's winter. It rains. It always rains. Although sitting in that traffic it was obvious the drivers in this city were not privy to that tidbit of information. As soon as I could see the Wild Ginger sign at Union Street and Third Avenue I began to make my way to the door. I was going to have to book it as soon as it opened. Pushing gently through the crowd I was the first out the door when it finally stopped. I ran the remaining block and half to the bar.
Purple Cafe and Wine Bar is located on 4th and University in the middle of downtown Seattle. It is a cafe with quite a vast collection of wines that are uniquely displayed in a multi-story cylindrical case surrounded by a spiral staircase in the middle of the space. When the former bartender, Steve, told me he was moving away, I had to apply for the job. That was three years ago. I am also a student, so bar tending is the perfect job to fit my schedule.
The after work rush would be coming in and with the Seahawks playoff game on Sunday it was likely to be a good crowd. Digging for my keys in my bag, I unlocked the employee door and headed inside. Carefully removing my coat, which was soaked and dripping all over the floor, I hurried to my locker. Grabbing my make up bag I headed into the bathroom to freshen up. I fluffed my hair, loving how if the light was just right you could see a flash of purple. I touched up my lipstick and washed my hands.
I was grateful that my sleeveless white tunic had not fallen victim to the rain. I smoothed out the silky shirt and did a quick spin to check my outfit and made sure I hadn't dragged any of the wet leaves inside with me on my black heeled ankle boots. My thin black rhinestone bangles sparkled in the light quietly as I took one last look and headed out.
The happy hour rush didn't fail me as it was packed. I made my way to the bar, saying hi to coworkers and finding a very relieved Becky behind it.
"Thank fuck you're here!" she said, the ambient music drowning her out a bit.
Becky was a few years older than me and had worked there forever. She hated the Friday night crowds and always took the lunch shift.
"Sorry I'm late, effing rain..." I grumbled, giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"And you owe money in the bucket. Pay up biatch!" I laughed glancing around to see who was there tonight.
"Fine, but COME ON! I don't know how you do it. I can't censor myself worth shit....That doesn't count! I don't have to pay for the word shit!"
She was laughing now too as were some of our regulars who were familiar with our rules. Becky was gorgeous, tall and blonde with a killer body. While she looked like an angel she had the mouth of the sailor. So some of the wait staff and I started the "F&^K It Bucket". Anyone caught dropping the F-bomb would have to pay a dollar into the bucket. All funds would be donated to a charity. And while that doesn't seem like it would be that big of a donation, it really was. Everyone, even our regulars had started to contribute.
"Pay up and get out of my bar!" I said, smacking her on the ass as I passed by and began to look around to see who needed a drink.
I said hello to the familiar faces and began to take orders and make drinks. As the crowd began to ebb and flow, I saw him take a seat on the opposite side. Ben was a semi-regular coming in for a few glasses and dinner. I loved it when he came in, but unfortunately it wasn't that often. He caught my eye and smiled, nodding a greeting. I held up one finger to let him know I'd be right over. I finished making a few drinks and cashing out a few tabs. When I walked over to say hello to Ben he looked up from his phone and smiled at me. My heart raced and I could feel my blush starting. Silently thanking the person who designed the low lights, I smiled back.
"Hey you, long time no see," My smile was genuine with him. "What can I get you?"
Ben knew his wine and usually had either a glass of Montepulciano or the Vacqueras, which were both on our wines by the glass list. As he silently considered his options, I took the opportunity to check him out...again. Fuck me, he looked good. His grey hair cut short, wire rim glasses, and scruffy beard. He was wearing a grey sweater, sleeves rolled up, showing his toned forearms. His eyes sparkled,
"Mia, good to see you. Yes, it has been too long. Um...I'm in the mood for something a little different, let's go with a glass of Sonoma cab - and a menu."
Grabbing a glass, I quickly found the bottle he asked for and gave him a generous pour.
A couple sat down a few seats away, so after he took a sip and smiled, I moved over to take their order. They requested a bottle, so I made my way up the stairs to get it. I saw Ben's eyes follow me as I rounded the stairs and headed up. My legs and ass were on full display just above eye level, the satin fabric of my leggings shining in the light. My tunic was loose and I could feel the air from the fans on my lower back indicating Ben could probably see the Japanese character tattoos across my lower back.
Finding the bottle, I headed back down, my large breasts bouncing gently with each step, my silk top swishing silently over the full tops. His eyes were still on me as I brought it over and showed it to the couple waiting. The man took the bottle, read the label and nodded. After they had been taken care of, I glanced over at Ben and noticed he had perused the menu and set it down.
The crowd was really coming in now and I was relieved to see that Scott, the second bar tender for the night, had arrived and was working the other side of the bar.
"So, anything sound good tonight?"
Ben set his glass down, "Yes, I'll have a steak salad."
I nodded at him and turned to place his order in the computer. My heart had not stopped racing. And now my mind had joined in and I needed a minute to regroup.
There was something about him that I just couldn't get out of my head. Even though he was much older than me, we hit it off from our first meeting. He was funny and charming, a successful business owner. He was confident and comfortable in who he was. It radiated from him and I was instantly taken. In the beginning we would just exchange pleasantries, but as the time went on we chatted more and became friendly. Of all my regulars and random customers that I've had, he was my favorite, the one I looked forward to seeing. While others would greet me as if we were lifelong friends, Ben always came across as sincere when we talked.
Lately, I started to see him in a different light, as cliche as that sounds, it was true. Our chats, though in a very public place, had become a bit more personal. I knew he was single, living in Queen Anne in a condo overlooking Kerry Park. I knew of the building, it had huge floor to ceiling windows along the entire front side. The view was spectacular, downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, the water and mountains. It really didn't get much better. He enjoyed his business, but after so many years he was thinking of selling and pursuing his real loves - photography and writing. I asked a bit about his writing, but he only said that it was a very personal experience for him. An "outlet" he called it and with a glint in his eye. His expression made me smirk at him as he looked like a kid with a dark secret. He never elaborated on it and I never pried.
In turn I told him about school, my tiny studio apartment in the Fremont neighborhood, my passion for reading as well as my insane love of the Seahawks. That always made him laugh, because once I got started on my team, it was hard to stop me. And for the third year in a row we were in the playoffs and had home field advantage. It was an exciting time. He asked if I was a writer and I admitted that, although I had a love of literature, writing was not something I had tried other than a term paper or exam. He knew I was single, having had a bad experience the year prior, and sworn off men. That too made him laugh, his smile carrying a bit more weight than his usual ones.
Working a bar I couldn't spend all my time with him, but I did "check" on him more often than my other patrons, that is for sure. He always engaged with me and when I was busy, I would quickly peek over at him and catch his eye. When we did chat it was light and fun He had a fantastic deep laugh. I loved it. If I were a cartoon there would probably be little hearts swirling around my head every time he did it.
I knew he was being sincere with me when we talked, but I never for one moment thought he looked at me the same way that I did him. Becky teased me about it all the time, telling me I had a school girl crush or pointing out that I obviously had "daddy issues". As far as I was concerned none of it mattered as I was too scared to ever let him know how I felt, so it was a moot point.
So that Friday night Ben caught me completely off guard when he was still at the bar long after his dinner was finished. After I took his dinner dishes away, the crowd had dramatically increased. A show at Benaroya Hall had just gotten out and patrons were looking for a drink. I was really busy, taking orders and money, as Scott and I worked to keep the crowd moving. When I finally made it back over there, he was fingering the stem of his empty glass.
"You're still here," I said. "Can I get you another glass?"
He smiled and nodded and I refilled his glass.
His blue eyes met mine, "What time are you off tonight?" His question made me stop.
"Um, with Scott here I could duck out after this last rush dies down. Why?" I was seriously confused.
"Would you like to get a night cap with me?" he asked, our eyes never breaking contact.
"Yeah," I replied, unable to contain my smile. "I would like that. Though I don't drink, so you pick the place."
His laughter had my insides fluttering. "You don't drink and you're a bartender. It's brilliant. Your boss must love you."
I laughed with him. "I'm his favorite, obviously..." I smirked and turned to take an order from one of the servers. "I'll let you know when I can get out of here."
Filling that order I surveyed the room. The crowd was dying down now, many opting for a seat at a table rather than at the bar. Pulling Scott aside I told him I was leaving. A hug and a kiss on the cheek later and I was ready to go.
"Hey, so let me just grab my shit from the back and I'll meet you out front?"
