The Yes Factor - Erin Spencer Page 0,15
mom, I don’t have time for game. Besides, we just got here. Like, five seconds ago. What do you want me to do? A burlesque show? He’s not even my type.”
“I’m sorry, good-looking and nice isn’t your type?”
“No. Okay, well, he is good-looking and so far he does seem nice, but, Liv, come on, I know this is going to sound bad but I don’t want to date a…”
“Bartender,” we both whisper it at the same time.
I feel like shit for even saying it out loud. But, really, the late night lifestyle of a bartender just wouldn’t fit with Maddie and me.
“Which in this town means he’s probably an actor. No way,” I say with a groan.
Liv raises an eyebrow. “You don’t know that. He could be a food chemist that’s into mixology. He could be studying to be a sommelier. Hell, he could own the place.” While she rattles off these outlandish possibilities, her voice rises in pitch. “You can’t be so quick to shut things down before they even start.”
“I guess.” She does have a point. I’m always telling Maddie not to make assumptions about people before she gets to know them. I should be following my own advice, but I know where this road leads. A dead end.
The bartender places our drinks on the coasters and leans his elbows against the bar. “I haven’t seen you two here before. Are you local?” It’s the early side of happy hour and with so few customers around he’s got a little time to chitchat. Lucky me!
“Oh, I am, but I don’t get out too much. It’s been a rough…”
“I just flew in from London today. Thought I’d take this one out on the town!” She gives a conspiratorial smile to the bartender. “Not married, I see.” She gestures to his left hand. “Bex here is single too.”
Oh my God. This is so embarrassing.
“Thank you, Yente.”
“Fiddler on the Roof! I love that musical.” The bartender grabs a rag and wipes off the recently evacuated bar top to the right of me, humming what sounds like “If I Were a Rich Man.”
“Are you a singer?” I ask.
“I used to be. I auditioned for Fiddler years ago for summer stock. Met my ex-wife at that audition, actually.” He looks right through me, seemingly into his past. “Wow, strange to think of those times…Anyway, now, I’m a substitute teacher by day, bartender by night.” He takes a contemplative pause, which makes me curious for more of his story. There’s a lot going on behind those eyes.
I take a sip of my drink, intent on letting the conversation breathe for a moment. But Liv has other ideas. “Bex is divorced, too. And a musical theater geek. You guys have a lot in common!”
Subtlety isn’t really Liv’s strong suit.
“Is that so?” he says with a laugh. “Bex is it? I’m Brandon. Nice to meet you.” He extends his hand, and I give it a solid shake.
“And this is Yente. I mean, Liv,” I rib.
The moment is interrupted when Brandon is flagged down by a customer on the opposite end of the bar. “I need to get back to it.” He holds up a finger to the man, letting him know he’ll be over in a moment. “Um, I hope this doesn’t come off as strange, or overly forward considering we just met two minutes ago, but,” he pauses and looks right into my eyes, “would you be interested in getting a bite after my shift tonight? I’m off at eight.”
I freeze. Stunned. Speechless. He looks so hopeful. So optimistic. But I can’t. I just met him. He could be crazy. Of course, he’s crazy, he’s an actor! But he seems nice and genuine and seemingly not crazy. Maybe I should…
“No. I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“What?” Liv interjects. “Can you give her a minute to think it over? She’ll get back to you.”
“Oh, sure. Okay. I’ll just go take care of that guy. Let me know if you need anything else.” Brandon turns away quickly with an air of defeat.
Liv swivels to face me and leans in close. “Bex.” She slow blinks. “I cannot believe what I just heard. No, scratch that. I can believe it and it’s got to stop. Now.”
“What? I just met him. How am I already supposed to have dinner with him?” I protest.
“Listen to me. You know what you’re missing? The yes factor. How long have you spent saying no to life, no to romance, or even potential romance, and no to