2. Declan

Chapter 2

Declan

W here has she been all my life?

I noticed her the second she stepped foot in my bar. Actually, I felt her before that, but I didn’t know it until she came through the front door. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood up, drawing my attention from the open cooler where I’m looking what needs to be refilled.

“Jonah,” I grab one of my bartender’s attention, “fill this cooler, then change the kegs on taps two and four.”

“Sure thing, boss,” he replies with a nod as my feet slowly waltz me down toward the end of the bar closest to the entrance.

That’s where she is, with a friend who I recognize as a semi-regular customer, but my attention is all on her. Black hair, dark as a night with no stars, floats down to the middle of her back in loose wavy curls. Blue eyes the color of the sky on a cloudless, sunny Chicago afternoon sparkle as she looks around the bar, taking everything in.

Keeping an eye on her as I refill a few drinks for other customers, still making my way toward her, I give her and her friend—Toni, that’s her name—time to settle in .

I finally get where my feet and brain want me to be, brace my hands on the well-worn, but well loved, bar and give my usual opening line. “Welcome to Paddy’s. What can I get you ladies to drink?”

“I’ll take whatever seasonal IPA you’ve got on tap,” Toni answers before turning to her friend. But her friend isn’t paying attention to anything but me.

If I hadn’t already done the same thing to her, the journey this beautiful stranger’s eyes are taking over my body, I would think I was being rated for the meat market. Our eyes lock for what feels like minutes, but is mere seconds, before she scans me from top to bottom… or as much as the bar between us will allow.

“Frankie!”

Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. Breathtaking really.

Frankie whips her head to the left, probably just realizing she’s been caught staring at my meat… not that I mind one bit. “What?”

A thumb pointed my way, Toni catches her up. “Declan here asked what you want to drink.”

I can almost see the gears turning in her mind and Frankie’s eyes volley between me and her friend, trying to formulate words. “I’ll have whatever light beer you have on tap. Thanks.”

“You got it.” I knock once on the bar, then toss her a wink as I head for the taps.

“Everything okay, boss?” Jonah asks as I grab two chilled pint glasses from the cooler.

“Yup. You?”

“I’m gonna take my fifteen before the crowd picks up, if that’s okay.”

I take a quick look around the half full room, seeing that it looks like everyone is happy and settled with a full drink or being taken care of by the other bartender on staff tonight. “Order something from the kitchen and take a thirty. Kiera will be here in a little while if we need help.”

“Thanks.” Jonah disappears as I finish pouring the light beer for Frankie. I top it with an orange slice, grab both glasses, and almost miss the flash of cream-colored fabric dashing across the room. My eyes follow Frankie’s hasty footsteps as she bobs and weaves between patrons and tables that are in her path. I let out a breath I don’t realize I’m holding when I see her duck into the hallway leading to the bathrooms.

“I think Frankie has been struck dumb by your handsome face,” Toni says with a small smile as I hand her her beer. She takes a small sip. “But don’t worry, she’ll be back.”

“Any objection to me going after her?” I quick flick my eyes to the right, indicating toward where her friend disappeared.

“She’s had a rough few days, so go easy on her,” Toni takes a half minute to think while staring me down. Once she seems to have her mind made up, she gives me a nod and an evil smile. I can see trouble brewing in her gaze. “Or maybe don’t.”

“Don’t what?” I think I know where she’s going with this, but I need to be one hundred percent sure. What I don’t need is mixed messages and the night to end early when the police are called because we got our signals crossed.

“Don’t be nice to her in the biblical sense.” Toni finger quotes the last part of her sentence, then folds her hands on the bar, leaning in to keep our conversation private. “Declan, we may not know each other that well, but I’ve seen you around. I’d like to think I can tell if someone is a decent person or not. You seem like an okay guy.”

“I’d like to think I am.” I nod as I cross my arms.

“Now, what I’ve never seen is my best friend act like she did when she saw you. She’s never been struck silent like that. She’s a tough chick who has been handed a pile of shit and is wadding through the mess. So, whether you’re serious about getting to know her, or just looking for a one-time fling where you both get your rocks off and walk away smiling, I don’t care. She’s an adult. She can do whatever, or whoever, she wants.”

I think about what she said for a second. She’s offering her friend to me on a silver platter. “This sounds way too good to be true. What’s the catch?”

“No catch. I’m not pimping out my bestie, bar man. I’m just trying to get my girl laid. She needs it.” She lets out a big belly laugh. “And by the look on your face, you want to eat her up. So go do it. Worst she can say is no and we leave. No harm, no foul.”

What’s the harm? I could go in and check on her, make sure she’s okay. We don’t have to do anything. I’m just being a responsible bar owner, making sure my customers are safe and happy.

Yea, that’s it. No funny business. Just me doing my job.

I knock once on the bar signaling my farewell to her, and march my happy business minded ass toward the back hallway.

One hand on the door plate, ready to push, I take a deep breath. Who am I kidding? Business minded my ass—I want this woman bad!