pull of the cold brew and set the mug down on the bills. She could’ve been someone interesting to get to know. But she was right. This wasn’t his kind of place. Certainly not his kind of people.
He got up and left, knowing he wouldn’t find anywhere else more comfortable.
3
CASSIE SNAPPED HER GAZE BACK for a second look. He’d been sitting there a moment ago. His mug was almost full. Even though she didn’t think he was the type to mingle, she scanned the room.
It was crowded, but no John among the other customers.
She saw that his stool had been pushed close to the bar. That was something she and Lisa did after everyone left for the night. When people went to the bathroom or stepped away, they left their stool right where it was, even if it had landed in the middle of the room.
“Lisa, did you see the flyboy leave?”
“No, but I wasn’t paying attention. He didn’t skip out on his tab, did he?”
Cassie leaned over the bar as far as she could to see in the back. Nothing. “What?”
“Look.” Lisa pointed. “There’s money under his mug.”
Disappointment welled in her chest. She shouldn’t care that he’d gone. She should be glad. Yes, he was hot and had a nice laugh, great eyes. But he stared too much and made her self-conscious. Still, couldn’t he have finished his beer and waited for his bill? Maybe said goodbye? They’d talked a little.
She grabbed a damp rag on her way to collect the cash and wipe the bar. “Whoa,” she muttered when she saw what he’d left. The tab was only seven bucks even counting the scotch. He’d left forty. She grabbed the bills and hurried out the front door.
In the crowded parking lot, she recognized half the cars, but mostly she was looking for taillights. Was she being too optimistic? She could’ve sworn he’d still been inside a few minutes ago.
Some customers parked on the street when only narrow stalls were left in the lot. Of course he’d come in early but she walked to the road anyway. She spotted him then, pulling away from the curb. Well, she didn’t see him precisely, but that silver Corvette? Had to be John.
Knowing it was useless because he was too far away, she lifted a hand just in case. Because the tip was too big, and she had to at least try....
Of course, he drove off. Not that it mattered. As she hurried back to the bar she gave herself a good mental shake. Why did she give a damn that he’d given her a huge tip? Or that she’d never see him again. First of all, she didn’t date, and if she did, she didn’t date customers. Second, he was so far out of her league he might as well be headed for Mars.
Stopping at the door, she readjusted her ponytail, then walked back inside as she stuffed the twenties into her pocket.
Lisa stood behind the bar filling her own order. “What was that about?”
Cassie moved in to take over. “The pilot forgot his change.”
“Did you catch him?”
“Nope. I was too late. Did Gordon ask for another one?” Cassie focused on filling the next order, wishing Lisa would go deliver her drinks.
“No, he’s fine.” She went around to the other side of the bar. “How much too much?”
“Thirty-three bucks.”
Lisa let out a low whistle. “Good job. I saw you chatting him up.”
She snorted. “I took him a beer. That’s it.”
“You were talking earlier....”
“If you say so. I don’t remember.” Cassie felt the heat in her cheeks and crouched to get a bowl of maraschino cherries out of the fridge. She took her time, but when she straightened, Lisa was still there.
“So...he’s military, right?”
“I don’t know,” Cassie said, not bothering to hide her annoyance. “Would you please get these drinks out of here?”
Lisa picked up her tray. Grinning, she gave Cassie a long, amused look. “I hope he comes back.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
“A dollar says he does.”
“You’re on.” Cassie kept her head down until she knew Lisa was gone.
Her friend had the wrong idea. Cassie was relieved he’d taken off. Now she didn’t have to worry about Tommy noticing him and making a crack about officers. In an hour the after-work crowd would thin and maybe she’d have a few minutes to study. If John had stayed, her work would’ve remained buried under the stack of clean rags.
Besides, she knew better than to fall for unattainable men. That way lay madness. She