Chapter 39 Hey, Bartender
TANNER
Wren insisted that she and I go out with our friends tonight, and while I enjoy everyone’s company, the idea of staying in with Wren was tempting as shit. She only convinced me by promising a dance and a night of barely sleeping once we’re home.
I’m convinced that no one is better together than we are. The conversation with Ethel and Clara from Monday has continuously replayed in my head this week, and I keep having the urge to tell her how I feel, but I don’t want to scare her.
We make our way inside, and as we walk past the bar, she greets Tony and Frank, the bartenders, by name.
“You know the guys?” I ask.
“Everyone knows Tony and Frank,” she says.
I shoot her a questioning look. “I’m certain you’ve never known their names before.”
“Oh, look there’s the group,” she says, smiling and pulling me towards the table.
“Who’s the new guy?” Sitting next to Gray is a man I’ve never seen before.
“Oh, good! She invited him. That’s Cal.”
Who the hell is Cal? We arrive at the table and I greet our friends. “I’m Tanner,” I say, reaching out my hand and shaking the stranger's hand.
“Cal,” he says. “Grayson—I mean Gray—and I knew each other as kids. I’m good friends with one of her older brothers.”
“It’s nice to meet you. What brings you to town?”
“I just transferred to Atlanta for work.”
“What do you do?” Logan asks him.
“I’m an orthotist, so I make braces and splints for individuals with physical disabilities.”
“Yeah, it’s so crazy because I had contacted his office for one of our residents, and I had no idea he worked there. He walked in on Monday,” Gray explains.
“Well, we’re glad you could make it, man,” I say. “Maybe you and Gray can play me and Wren in ping-pong in a bit.” I nod my head toward the table.
“Why would we do that?” Gray says, panicked.
“It could be fun,” Cal says.
Lacey, Poppy, and Wren all giggle.
“Just tell us when y’all are ready,” I say.
Gray’s whole face turns beat red, and she throws me a look that makes me fear for my life.
“Or not. So, what’s everyone drinking? It’s on me.”
“No,” Jacks argues. “I’ll open a tab.”
“Respectfully, I’m out with my girl for the first time since we got together.” I pull Wren into me, and wrap my arms around her, kissing the side of my head. “We’re celebrating, so let me.”
Jacks shakes his head. “Fine, but you have to let us next time.”
“Are Donovan and Enzo coming?” I ask.
“No, they had a family thing,” Chloe says.
“Alright, is everyone drinking their usuals?” I ask.
My friends nod. “Cal, what are you drinking?”
“I’ll just have a beer.”
“Got it.”
“I’ll help you with the drinks,” Wren says. We make our way to the bar. There’s a moderate crowd, and we push our way to the front, catching Tony’s attention.
“Give me a second, y’all,” he says. “Frank had to leave, so I’m back here by myself.” His eyes shift to Wren.
“Babe, you should help him,” she suggests.
“What?”
“You know how to make drinks. Look how swamped he is; I’m sure he could use the help.”
“I can’t do that. Can I?” I chuckle.
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind.” Tony says, looking toward the people gathering next to the bar.
“Y’all are both serious?”
“It’s fine,” Wren says. “Jump back there. And I’ll go get the girls to help me carry the drinks,” she encourages.
“But I was looking forward to dancing with you,” I whine.
“Just help him through the rush, and then you can pick the song.” She winks, and I let out a chuckle.
Something tells me I'm missing something, but Tony’s a friend, and the bar is packed. Wren disappears into the crowd, and I run around, joining him on the other side of the bar. “Tell me what you need me to do,” I say.
“I’ll take over here, and you can take over there.” I nod then head to the opposite side.
I work nonstop, taking orders, making drinks, and talking to the bar goers. Tony and I work in tandem, and while it’s hard work, it feels more like play, and outside of the past week with Wren, it’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
Wren finds me from across the bar and smiles wide, giving me a thumbs up. I shake my head, topping off a vodka soda with carbonated water and then handing it to the man in front of me.
“What can I get you?” I ask the next man waiting to order.
“Two beers and a dirty Shirley,” he says.
I flip around to grab the beer from the cooler, and someone catches my eye, but it’s not Wren. Leaned up against the bar, watching me work, is Jerry. He nods in my direction, and I nod back, grabbing the beers, and then getting started on the cocktail.
“Hey, bartender,” Wren says, bouncing over to the bar.
I chuckle. “Do you need a refill?”
“Please,” she says. “Gray also needs another martini.”
“You got it.”
I prepare a cosmo and dirty martini then slide them towards her. “Are you having fun?” she asks, taking the drinks.
“I actually am.” My mouth spreads into a grin. “I mean, I’m looking forward to our dance later, and I wish you were back here with me, but this feels good.”
“Good,” she says. Reaching forward, she fists my shirt and pulls me into a kiss.
“What was that for?” I ask.
“Those girls over there have been eyeing you since you jumped back here. I wanted to make sure they knew you were mine.”
She turns her head and throws them a borderline evil smile.
“Come find me when you’re done,” she says, disappearing into the crowd with both drinks.
Tony and I continue to work, and the crowd slowly dies down. I’m halfway through making an order of four espresso martinis when I hear someone clear their throat. I look up to find Jerry standing before me.
“Tony,” he yells. “Take over this order for Tanner. He and I need to talk.” Tony nods and walks over to begin making the remaining two drinks.
I dry my hands, round the bar, and then follow him to his office. He leads me through the door and leans up against the edge of his desk.
“You’re a natural,” he says, crossing his arms.
“It’s not that hard,” I say.
“No, but it’s not easy. Why did you never call me about the bar?”
I shrug. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I had an opportunity to impress my dad, and I took it even though, deep down, I never really wanted it, and I kept hoping I could do both, and then it felt too late.”
“That’s what that girlfriend of yours said.”
“You talked to Wren?”
“I did. She called up here the other day and left a message for me to call her back. Told me she had a potential buyer for the bar.”
I chuckle. “Did she?”
“Yes, so you can imagine my surprise when she said you were the potential buyer. Especially since I hadn’t heard from you.”
“I’ve been regretting that lately,” I say, honestly. “I’m sorry.”
“She told me that too.” He smiles.
“Of course she did.”
“Well,” he says, “I love this bar, and I’m not going to sell it to just anyone.
When I offered it to you in August, it was because you are currently the only person I trust enough to take it over.
And after watching you help out Tony tonight, I’ve never been more sure.
The bar was yours three months ago, it’s yours today, and while I hope you make a decision sooner, it’ll still be yours a year from now. ”
“You haven’t looked for other potential buyers?”
“No, because I’ve learned to trust my gut, and my gut was telling me you’d call me. I know you want this, and nothing would make me prouder than having you take over my legacy.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m honestly at a loss of words. I was sure I had missed my chance.”
He shakes his head. “So what will it be? You want it, or are you going to make me lose a year of my retirement while I wait on you to make a decision.”
My shoulders shake with laughter, and I turn over his offer for a short moment, knowing without a doubt what my answer should be. “You have yourself a deal,” I say, putting out my hand and shaking his.
“We were hoping you’d say that,” Wren says from the door.
“What are you doing back there?” I ask, surprised.
“Well, I saw you two sneak away, and selfishly I wanted to be here for the moment you said yes.”
“Come here.” She joins us in the office, and I wrap my arms around her.
“I’ll contact my lawyer to begin the paperwork, and I’ll be in touch next week,” Jerry says.
“I look forward to it.”
We follow him out of the office, and he closes and locks the door behind us. “Y’all enjoy the rest of your night. I’m going home to my wife.”
“Thanks again,” I say, shaking his hand once more.
“Don’t thank me,” he says, looking at Wren. He turns and heads to the back door. I grab her hand and begin dragging her towards the front of the building.
“Where are we going?” she calls, giggling and squeezing my hand tighter.
I don’t stop until we’re outside, and then I push her up against the bricks and take her mouth in mine.
“You are amazing,” I say, pulling away from her. “Thank you for tonight.”
“I thought you might need a gentle push too,” she says.
“I did.”
She wraps her hands around my neck and brings her lips to mine. For the next few minutes I lose myself in her kiss and we make out like two teenagers. She tastes like the cosmos she’s been drinking, and when she pulls away, I feel drunk off of her kiss.
“Want to head out?” I ask, trying to catch my breath.
“Soon, but not yet.” She places a chaste kiss against my lips. “What are you going to do about Austere?”
“I’m going to tell my dad the truth. I’ll stay on through his retirement party, but then I’ll back out gracefully and focus on doing something I know will bring me joy.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” she says. “When is that?”
“Next Friday. I was actually thinking about skipping it because they’ll be announcing the new CEO, and I didn’t think I could stomach going, but maybe if you come with me, I can hang on a little while longer. I think it’s the right thing to do, and I know agreeing to attend will soften the blow.”
“It would be an honor to be the girl on your arm,” she says.
“You’d have to meet my parents.”
“I’d like that.”
“You sure? They can be a lot.”
“I know, and I’ll be by your side the entire night.”
I lean down, kissing the tip of her nose. “Thank you.” The door to our left swings open, and Lacey appears. “So, are we celebrating?” she asks.
“They all know, don’t they?” I ask.
“Well, I figured tonight would be a big deal, and you’d want them here.”
“We’re celebrating,” I say, smiling.
“Yes!” Lacey squeals. “I’ll go order a round of shots, and I’ll see you two at the table.” She spins and disappears back into the bar.
Wren and I follow behind her, heading to the table.
“So, T, what are you going to call it once it’s yours?” Logan asks once we’re all back together.
“Yeah, are you going to keep the name or change it?” Poppy asks.
“I was thinking I’d change it,” I say. “Tanner’s: The Local Spot has a nice ring to it.”
“It’s perfect,” Wren says.
Lacey returns with a tray full of tequila shots and limes.
“Not fucking tequila,” Logan groans.
“Stop being a baby, Peterson,” Lacey quips. “Everyone grab a shot.”
“To Tanner’s!” Wren yells.
“To Tanner’s!” the rest of us repeat, clinking our glasses together. I bring mine to the table, tapping it against the wood, and shoot it back, chasing it with a lime. Grabbing Wren, I dip her into a kiss.
“Come on, pretty girl. You owe me a dance.”
She takes my hand and leads me toward the dance floor. We stop in the middle of the floor, and I jog over to the DJ to request a song.
“You Make My Dreams (Come True)” by Hall and Oates begins to play, and I spin around. Her mouth spreads into a wide grin, and once again, we get lost in each other, dancing around the bar that will soon be mine.