NERTHUS
“Oh, you just unlocked a new fantasy of mine.” I giggle as Owen leans over the counter as I’m brewing his coffee.
“Wait until you drink it. Maybe you will change your mind.” He straightens back up with a chuckle.
“You underestimate the power of a fantasy, my dear. You could mix dirt into that, and it wouldn’t change a thing.”
I snort at him grinning like an idiot, before I finally hand him his beverage. “Here you go, cute stranger.”
“For the lady.” He smiles widely, passing me a 50-dollar bill, insisting that I keep the change.
“Thank you, Owen.” I let my arms slump as I put the cash into my register and take out my tip.
He checks his watch and groans. “I have to get going. Is our date still standing for tomorrow?”
I nod flashing him a happy smile before we bend over the counter simultaneously so that he can press a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll pick you up at 8.”
“Can’t wait,” I say, watching him storm out of the cafe.
Lizzy appears next to me with a giggle. “That was an awful deep sigh.”
“Oh,” I gasp, putting my hand on my chest. “I didn’t even notice I did it. But well, it’s complicated.”
“Isn’t it always?” She laughs, and we get back to prepare the beverages for the next customers.
I have to say that I love working with her and I love working at the coffee shop. The buzzing clientele, and the few times of calmness without a customer keep my thoughts away from Arawn, and my heart from beating painfully in my chest.
After another set of hours that practically fly, we finally close, and I slump into a seat in the shop. “Ah, this feels good.”
“Yeah. You will start to see sitting as a real luxury from now on.” Lizzy jokes, making me giggle.
Picking up my bag from the small locker room, I hug her goodbye. “I’ll change when I reach my night job. Have a lovely evening, Lizzy.”
“You too, Amber. Thank you so much.”
I reach Gigi’s bar in a taxi, and he welcomes me with his usual happy demeanor. “Bitch! You look gorgeous.”
Chuckling, I press a kiss on his cheek before I disappear into his back room to change into something worthy of a bar.
And will get me more tips.
The cozy and lovingly decorated locker room that Lizzy has set up doesn’t fade in comparison to the cold rooms with the stacked-up crates.
This makes me feel like being part of the streets again.
With a deep breath, I step out to get behind the counter in a black mini skirt and a floral crop top blouse with an off-shoulder cut. Gigi whistles as he sees me, making me roll my eyes. “You said you wanted me to pull off anything possible to raise the tips, so here I am.”
He laughs, and in the blink of an eye, the bar is crowded. I’m struggling to keep my pace with the other barkeepers, but luckily, they have a lot of patience for me, helping me with the orders.
The mood is completely different from my shift in the coffee shop, and even if I’m struggling, it is fun. “Don’t worry. You’ll get there soon enough,” Simone yells at me, and I mouth her a ‘thank you’.
Maybe it’s the game, maybe it’s the alcohol, or my boobs nearly spilling out of my top, but nobody of my clientele actually is angered about me being slow and chaotic.
After the game, the pub empties quickly. From the 5 barkeepers, who managed to keep the crowd entertained, 3 clock out as soon as the bar has emptied. Simone presses a kiss on my cheek before she waves at everybody else, and Gigi hugs me from the side.
“You are a natural, love. Drink something and take a few minutes to yourself. The first night can be rather hectic.”
I smile, leaning into him before I go backstage. Sitting on a flipped crate, I empty a water bottle and sigh. This might be my favorite working day in ages, even if I would have never dreamed of ending up behind a bar.
Just as I am about to get up, Gigi plops his head into my breakroom and smiles like a moron. “Not to scare you, but there is a hulkish Greek God at the counter.”
“Why should that scare me?” I groan, slipping back on my heels before it dawns on me.
Jerking up, I look right into his malicious grin. “It’s not him, is it?”
“Well, I don’t know who you would define as ‘him’…” He pouts his lips and disappears with a giggle.
“Gigi!” I whisper-shout after him.
My panic begins to rise, nearly knocking me out as I get up. I jump as Gigi comes back, grinning at me mockingly. “He has become a regular by the way, so guess how happy he will be to see you.”
He disappears again, just in time to dodge my wallet flying at him. As I pick it up, I pace back and forth, taking a deep breath.
You can do it!
Make him drool!
Straightening my spine, I step out behind the counter and hear Gigi announcing to the two gentlemen sitting at the counter that his colleague will have it covered. Hoping that I’m not red like a ripe tomato, I stand in front of them, interrupting their conversation.
His friend could see me coming in, but Arawn has his back turned to me, and as his charming self, he doesn’t seem to be interested in the staff.
What pains me because this one right here is damned pretty.
“What can I bring you, boys?” I say to the guy who is looking at me with a big smile, getting Arawn to turn around with wide eyes.
That’s what I’m talking about.
“Two Guinness, pretty lady.” His friend says with sparkling eyes.
Oh, this is going to be fun.
I draw the beer and serve them, taking the bill from the grinning friend. “The rest is for you, precious.”
“Oh, thank you,” I say, slipping the bill into my bra. I have to push down a laugh as Arawn groans, turning away.
“I am Stefano, by the way.” He leans onto the counter, his dark eyes ranking over my body.
“Aria,” I retort, flashing him my best smile.
“That’s why I can finally breathe.” Pushing out a laugh at his cheesy joke, I see Arawn glaring at him. “Really? Because aria means air? This is what you got?”
Stefano clicks his tongue, slapping Arawn, who is still turned away from me, on his arm. “Don’t mind him. He is so grumpy.”
“No worries,” I say, cleaning the counter with a rag.
“Are you new here?” Stefano inquires further, making me shake my head.
I act like a Barbie, throwing my hand up with a giggle, and tapping my forehead. “I mean, I am new behind the counter, but I’m a good friend of Gigi.”
“Really?” He asks flirtatiously, making me nod. As I lean forward slightly, I let him have a better glimpse of my deep neckline. I sense Arawn shift, but it still doesn’t get him to react.
Bummer.
Reaching forward, I touch Stefano’s arm, playing with his rolled-up shirt. “This is a nice color. What is it?”
“Right?! Thank you. I guess it is a kind of blue.” He moves to sit up straight, touching his shirt proudly.
I watch him in awe as if it was the most interesting thing I had ever seen. “Wow. It is amazing.”
“Thank you,” He beams at me, and I tap the counter twice.
“I’ll get to my other customers and come back later. Enjoy, boys.”
“Thank you, Aria.” I grin as I hear Arawn murmur something about him being an idiot while I walk away.
Provoking Arawn, and flirting with Stefano actually increased my mood noticeably. I finish my shift as the pub closes, after serving out drinks and some flirting in between.
Every time I get Arawn to clench his jaw, my mood skyrockets.
Love it!
The two men are still talking to Gigi, which takes me aback, but it’s none of my business.
Even if I will talk to him about it later.
“I will get going Gigi, if you don’t mind.” Gigi nods, as I step up next to him.
Stefano is about to say something, as Arawn beats him to it. “If you leave that outfit on, I’ll drive you home.”
I laugh, putting my hands on my hips, “I’m getting changed then!”
I press a light kiss on Gigi’s cheek, seeing Stefano’s eyes widen. “Well, I can take you home too.”
“I don’t know how you could manage… With two broken legs.” I hear Arawn growl, and I snicker while going to get my bag.
Even if I like to act defiantly, I keep my sexy outfit on, hoping to get my ultimate tip tonight.
As I walk into the bar room, my heart accelerates at how naturally it feels as Arawn gets up to walk out with me.
“It has been a pleasure meeting you, Stefano.” He smiles as he waves at me from the counter.
“Likewise, Aria.”
We walk down the street in comfortable silence until he stops in front of a sporty Audi, making me swallow a gasp. “Do you want to drive?”
I look up at him for the first time this evening, and lose myself in an indecent fantasy immediately, getting him to smirk. “Yes, or no?”
“Sure.” I take his key from his hand and watch him walk around the car to get in.
As I take my place in the driver’s seat, I give him my bag to hold. “Is this a manual gear?” My gasp finally finds its way out, as I move my seat closer to the steering wheel.
“You wanted to drive one, didn’t you?” I stare at him agape as he chuckles, “You really have to watch out what you wish for around me, beautiful.”
Shaking my head, I start the motor enjoying the vibrations. “This doesn’t mean I’m coming back to work for you, Arawn.”
“Sure,” His smirk has my heart skip a beat, and I clear my throat as I drive off.