an argument Brendan and I had about my working this late out of my mind, I smile and meet the couple just as they arrive at the opposite side of the bar’s counter. “Hi there, ready to close out?”
Nodding, the man lays down his credit card. “Yeah, thanks.” I notice dirt underneath his fingernails, and look up to get a good look at his face. He’s around thirty-three with light blonde hair, tanned cheeks and pale forehead, so he definitely works outdoors with a hat. Construction maybe? What I love is the way he’s looking at his brunette girlfriend, a pretty Asian of around my age, twenty-eight. And she’s looking at him the same way, wrapping her orange scarf twice around her neck to prepare for the chilly night, but her eyes are warmly locked on her man. Staring down at her, he cheerfully announces, “Yeah, I’ve got to get this one home for her present.”
I’m so close to making a sexual joke, it’s dangerous. Last thing I need is another Yelp review calling us out for being too liberal with our sexual innuendoes. Laura and I were joking one night about the shape of a certain bottle of tequila and the other uses for it that could come in handy, but apparently there were some among us who didn’t find that too funny. So I bite my tongue and sweetly ask, “Oh, celebrating a couple days early?”
The brunette’s face falls a little. “Carter’s going home to Chicago to celebrate with his family. They do a big thing on Christmas Eve. He leaves first thing tomorrow to get there before dinner.”
I sneak a quick glance to Carter and see him looking way more disappointed than guilty. Turning to run the card, I casually assure her, “Well, don’t worry. I have a feeling you’ll be going with him next year.” Peeking to see her reaction, I’m gratified by the deep blush coloring her face. He takes her chin in hand and kisses her gently.
I hand Carter the receipt to sign with a smile on my face. “You guys are making me miss my husband.” His girlfriend looks down at my belly and I answer the question she’s holding back. “Yes, this is his. And no, he doesn’t want me here working this late. A constant source of debate.”
With a gentleness I don’t possess, she asks, “Is it hard to work when you’re…”
“As big as a house?”
She laughs. “I was going to say pregnant!”
Grinning, I hook my hands over my belly. “I own the place, so it’s like my baby, too. Plus, working keeps me busy. This not-so-little one was due last week, so I’m losing my mind waiting. What’s your name? I know you’re Carter,” I add, looking at the blonde as he struggles to fit the card back into his over-stuffed wallet.
He nods with a smile as she holds out her hand to me. “I’m Violet.”
“Annie. Nice to meet you.” We shake and Carter joins in after, giving my hand a rigorous bounce.
Violet, feeling a bit more brave now that I’ve proven to be so easy-going, offers from behind a knowing smile, “My grandmother always said that babies know exactly when to arrive. It’s just the mothers who do not know.”
I look down at my unborn son, and raise my eyes to give her a skeptical glance from under my eyebrows. “You think he’s got a plan?” She nods. “We’ll see. It was nice meeting you both. Hopefully I’ll see you again soon.”
Carter booms, “Oh, you will. I live only a couple blocks away. Found this place after I read an article online. You were robbed here, huh? What was that like?”
My expression darkens. “You don’t have to worry about him. He’s behind bars now. We’re all safe.”
Violet stops him before he asks more, tugging on his arm. “I can’t wait to see the gift, Carter! It was nice to meet you, Annie. Merry Christmas!”
“Oh, right! You are going to love it, baby.” Successfully distracted, he calls to me as his arm goes around her on their way out. “Merry Christmas!”
I unconsciously pick up a white bar towel, tugging at the tiny knots of fabric as I watch them leave out the front door. But I’m not seeing them. I’m staring at the place on the floor where I knelt before the man I love, holding closed his wound and hoping he wouldn’t die in my arms.
“Annie, what about closing a half hour early?”
I blink. Look to my left. Manny