move, save for the small twitch in her jaw. She spun around to pour me another drink over the ice in the glass. I hadn’t asked for it, but I wasn’t about to tell her, “no.” If it meant that I could spend another few minutes with her, I’d drop bills all night. I swallowed as she continued to pour, tripling the shot from before.
“Four shots all together then, that leaves an eight-dollar tip for me. Enjoy your drinks, sir.” Hailey smiled.
After spending the evening with my parents, I was already a few shots in. If I finished what she’d poured, I would never be able to drive home. My brother’s ranch was just a few miles back, with a coded gate only a dozen yards from where the bar sat. I wouldn’t need to be on the road at all. I set my jaw, downing all three shots as my stomach churned and the ice stung my teeth.
Slamming the glass down on the bar, I reached into my billfold and pulled out another hundred. I set it on the bar again where the first had been. When Hailey reached for it, I put my hand over hers. The sensation immediately sent a shock of desire through me. She gasped, stepping back as if I’d stung her.
“That money wasn’t for more shots, that was your tip. I’d rather not drink anymore of that crap.”
She chuckled softly despite herself, catching the act and quickly covering her mouth with her hand. It was already too late. The enchanting sound of her joy rang through me like a hot sauna in the winter. My desire stirred, the alcohol unsettling as the butterflies vied for my attention. I’d seen her smile, the pure and innocent look of a woman who was enjoying the attention despite herself.
“Why don’t you let me buy you a drink now?” I asked.
“Go for it. Will it be another nameless whiskey?”
“Nameless?” I asked.
She shrugged and gave me a wink. “I said it came from the liquor store. I didn’t say it came there in a bottle. We just stick all the leftovers in that bottle. No one ever actually buys more than one shot.”
My stomach lurched. “Well, I suppose I can honestly say it’s a whiskey I’ve never had before then. I wouldn’t recommend it though if you let me buy you that drink.”
“Listen,” Hailey leaned forward, “I’m really grateful for what you did the other night, but I don’t plan on giving you any kind of reward for that. Not a single kiss or nudge of appreciation. You’re a cute enough fella, go find yourself someone to make babies and settle down.”
I glared at her. “Why the fuck do you think I’d want that?”
My word snapped out like an unfiltered fool. I watched Hailey’s smile fade, the playful look in her eyes gone as she shrank away from me. Spinning on her heels, she went back to the other patrons, filling orders and chatting them up like nothing had happened. She’d slipped her mask back into place but not before I’d seen how quickly my words had cut her.
Somehow, each time I tried to get closer to Hailey, my foot planted itself firmly in my mouth. I wanted to kick myself for snapping. She’d done nothing wrong, but her words reminded me of the drama I was leaving behind at home. It was a shame she didn’t want to settle down and get married. She was one wild little kitten I’d love to make purr.
I waited for a few more minutes until a lanky woman with a sweet smile asked if I wanted another drink. When it became obvious that Hailey wasn’t going to bother coming back over, I shook my head. I pulled out another two bills and handed them to the other bartender. Her eyes grew wide.
“Can you make sure Hailey gets that tip?” I asked.
She nodded, her mouth still hanging open as I turned to leave. From the corner of my eye, I saw Hailey watching me as I left. Behind her cold shell was a longing that I understood all too well. Nothing inside of me wanted to leave her there. I fought the urge to run to her and pull her into my arms, crush her lips against mine, and plead with her to join me for the night. Yet silently, I left the bar and climbed back into my truck.
The ranch would have to wait another few days. I had to find out