Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty Eight
Evie
Seven Months Postpartum
The restaurant is busy with muffled chatter as servers swerve between the tables checking on the guests enjoying their meals.
Harper and I got here about thirty minutes before our reservation, so I suggested we just sit and have drinks at the bar while we wait.
It takes about half hour to get to Westroth, and we weren’t sure how traffic was so we left earlier than we needed to.
Which doesn’t bother me, I’m okay with a few drinks before we eat.
Two shots of liquid gold are placed in front of us.
Harper passes me one and clinks hers with mine before saying, loudly I may add.
“Happy Birthday bitch!” I throw the shot back and shutter as the taste of tequila swims down my throat.
I know that there will be a few more coming before we’ll even get to sit down.
My gaze veers to the front as the noted thump of the front door closing alerts me. I watch an elderly couple make their way to the front and wait to be seated. The man takes the jacket off his wife, before he leans forward and places a soft kiss upon her cheek.
A sigh leaves my body, I’m all the way on the other side of the restaurant and I can feel their affection. “Look at that cute couple across the restaurant.” I rest my chin in my hand and watch them settle in at their table.
Harper giggles, the alcohol already making her feel good. She’s such a lightweight. “I hope Xavier still acts that way when I’m all old and wrinkly.” Grabbing her vodka cranberry and seven, she takes a sip.
“Girl please,” I huff, a smirk forming on my face. “That man is obsessed with you. That kind of shit will never go away.”
She looks at me for a minute before shrugging her shoulders, “you make a good point.”
I grab my rum and coke and take a large sip. I know things with Monty and Josie are going well, but can I see us all older still being together? In a perfect world, yes absolutely.
We don’t live in a perfect world though, and now we’ve crossed a line that I’m not sure what’s going to happen when it inevitably ends.
It’s not a matter of how it will end, but more of a question of when.
I know that at some point, I’ll do something that’s going to mess this all up.
They’ll slowly pull away, and then eventually they’ll toss me out with my things and tell me to go on my way.
I’ll be crushed, but I’ll pick up the pieces of my heart and do what I do best. Put on a fake smile that bleeds with confidence and pretend that I’m fine.
Bringing the glass to my lips I realize that I finished it already.
Too fixated in my head with the “what ifs” to realize I was sipping that drink back a little too fast. Sighing I place the glass on the bar top and pull out my phone.
There’s a message waiting for me from our group chat. Once we decided to see where this triad goes, Monty created a group chat for us.
Monty: Have a good night out with Harps, little minx.
Josie: If you need a ride home, let us know.
Monty: I think Xavy is the DD tonight Jojo. If she needs another ride, I’m sure she’ll let us know
Josie: *sighs* Monty, you’re brutal lol… but, still let us know when you’re home safe, Sweets.
A snort leaves me as I quickly type back my response.
Evie: A drunk Evie is not a quiet Evie, so I don’t think that would go very well.
Monty: That’s okay, we have a gag here somewhere in our box of goodies. *shoulder shrugs*
Josie: Oh for the love of…
Evie: A box of goodies you say…
Josie: Please don’t encourage him, at least not right now lol go have fun
Evie: *kissy emoji*
Monty: But not too much fun because we aren’t there.
“Can I get you another one, honey?” A smooth voice pulls me away from my screen.
My eyes connect with the bartender. His long blond hair slicked back on his head meticulously, but still giving a vibe of I just ran my hands through it.
His light blue eyes remind me of ice as he nods his head toward my empty glass.
“Yes, please.” I reply, passing along my empty cup to the very good looking bartender.
“Coming right up.” He gives me a quick wink before turning to Harper, “What about you?” He asks. Harper just looks at him and nods her head. With a smile in acknowledgment he turns and starts to mix our drinks.
This guy is yummy. His black slacks fit his legs and curve perfectly over his ass.
Paired with a black dress shirt that stretches across his shoulders and arms. His sleeves are rolled up leaving his bare forearms on display as they flex with every move he makes as he mixes my drink.
What I can’t take my eye off of though? The way he looks in the male corset as it’s cinched together.
The mixture of black and maroon, snug tight to his torso.
Harper's eyes connect with mine and she mouths “ohmygod”. I give her a look that says I know, right? Before we both look back over at the man in question.
Whoever created corsets made for men deserves an award. The bartender looks almost natural, as he works his way across the bar. He appears before me with a fresh glass, placing it before me, then tips the shaker to fill my glass.
“You’re way too good at that.” I comment, bringing the cup to my lips and moaning at my first sip. “These drinks should come with a warning label.”
A humored glint shines in his eyes as he leans onto the bar in front of me. “It’s nothing really, anyone can make a good drink.”
“But no one looks as good as you do making them.” comes from behind me before the seat beside me is taken. “You have to admit my guy right here is a natural behind the bar.” The guy beside us says.
My guy. Oh great! We just checked out this guy’s partner. I straighten myself and look to the seat beside me that is now occupied. “I’m so sorry, we didn’t mean…”
The guy next to me throws his head back and laughs, and the sound is so soothing. His mullet length hair falls back in layers, auburn reds sway as he shakes his head. “Oh sweetie, he is not my man. He couldn’t handle me.”
“Oh please.” chuckles the blond bartender. “You know Stacey would murder you if she heard you say that.”
“Oh Stacey can bite me. She’s a bitch and I honestly don’t know how you put up with her, Kieran.” He snaps back.
“Okay, okay. Cool it, Mikah.” The blond, who I now know as Kieran, sternly looks at him. “Especially not in front of paying guests.”
I hold up my hands in defense, “Oh no, don’t mind me. I always like a good show. Now tell me about this Stacey.”
Mikah rolls his eyes before he turns on his stool to face me. “I’m sorry sweetie, I don’t normally get so worked up unless that witch's name is involved.”
“Mikah–” Kieran starts.
“Yes, yes. I know. Cool it.” He shakes his head. “Anyways, I’m Mikah. I go by the pronouns they/them.” He smiles and shoots out his hand. I reach forward and my hand connects with theirs. Their grip is warm and firm. I can already tell that we are going to get along well.
“Evie. She/her. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“I’m Harper.” Harper holds out her hand and shakes theirs next. “Also She/Her.”
We spend the next half hour talking and getting to know each other.
I’m thankful for this accidental meeting.
I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my birthday than to make two new friends.
Mikah and I exchange numbers with the promise to go out for drinks some time.
They promised dancing and tequila. Two of my favorite things when I go out for a night of fun.
A snort leaves me as Mikah tells me another story about how an art class went wrong.
They’re about to continue when the kitchen door swings open and this big burly looking man comes out with a plate of food in his hand.
In a deep maroon chef’s coat he walks through the bar and places a plate of pulled pork wonton tacos before Mikah.
Once the plate is delivered the chef nods his head and circles back toward the kitchen doors.
A groan of appreciation leaves them before shouting at the burly man. “Thanks chef daddy!” They take their time as they elongate the last syllable of the word. The burly man just flips them off before disappearing back into the kitchen.
Kieran is wiping off the bar top as he shakes his head with laughter.
“Mikah, you know he hates when you use his kitchen nickname out in public like that.” I notice a slight pink tint that turns on Kieran’s cheek as he busies himself.
It’s an interesting little tidbit I keep to myself.
I don’t know these two enough, and I don’t want to seem like a nosey bitch.
“Oh my sweet Kieran.” They mumble between bites of taco.
“Mr. grumpy Gus can’t stay mad at me– I know too much.
” There is a mischievous glint in their eyes that makes Kieran’s skin flush with a deep shade of red.
He mumbles something to himself about restocking the limes, before he takes off into the kitchen.
My eyes bounce between Mikah who is engrossed in their meal, and the swinging door that Kieran just ran through. I look over to my best friend, who is already giving me the look that states we will be talking about this later. I can’t wait to hear what she thinks about that dynamic.
We’re interrupted by the hostess, her name tag reads Rosaline, “Hey y’all! Sorry to interrupt but your table’s ready for you girls.” She tells us, a soft southern twang flows with each word.
Evie and I grab our drinks and say our goodbyes to our new friends.
We’re put over by the windows in the front.
Allowing me to watch people outside as they walk through the city.
I love to people watch, I remember I used to go to the park to get out of my old apartment and sit on a bench with my kindle.
Between reading, I would take some time to watch what was going on around me.
I’d wonder what those people's lives would be like, and sometimes I would make up a whole back story to a person.