Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 76592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
She chuckles. “To tell you the truth, they both kind of suck. We’re not exactly known for our wines here.”
I cock my head. “And what exactly are you known for here?”
She grins. “I’ll make you my special. I call it the Shirley.”
“And you’re Shirley, I’m guessing.”
“Right there, detective. Some good sleuthing skills you’ve got there.”
That pulls a small smile out of me. “Well, not to brag, but I am a student at the med school.”
Shirley widens her eyes. “No kidding! That’s incredible. I’ve always said we should have more female doctors. Do you know the number of men I’ve gone to complaining about something, and they’ve always told me it was probably menstrual cramps?”
I laugh out loud at that. Really laugh. “You and me both, sister.”
“Tell you what, doc. This one’s on me.” Shirley gets to work pouring various liquors and mixers into a shaker along with some ice. She gives it a few good shakes and then pours it into a martini glass.
I take a sip, hoping to God it isn’t some undergraduate jungle juice concoction. “Wow, this is great. Sweet, but with just an edge of bitterness.”
She pats her chest. “Just like her namesake.” She leans on the bar. “So I’m not getting the vibe that you’re here to meet men.”
I swallow. “I’m not. Well, I’m here to meet a man. But not the plural men.” I laugh uneasily. “To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t be here at all if I didn’t owe this guy a favor.”
Shirley bounces her eyebrows. “Do tell.”
I bite my lip. “Well… It isn’t a very funny story.”
“Not all stories need to be funny. I’d know. I’m a creative writing major myself.”
“Really? That must be fun.”
She shrugs. “It would be if my profs weren’t all such big snores.”
I chuckle again. “The same can be said of medical school professors as well.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” She leans in again, stroking her chin. “So tell me the story, if you’re comfortable with it.”
I’m not comfortable with it in the slightest. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe it’s good to sit in the discomfort. The memories of that night eased their chokehold on my throat after I told Henry about it. Maybe telling a second person, even if she’s a virtual stranger, will help me heal a little more.
“Well, I made a stupid mistake. Went on a walk after dark through the city streets.”
Shirley arches her eyebrows. “Uh-oh.”
“Uh-oh is right. Eventually some freak sneaked up on me out of the shadows and started threatening me.”
“Oh, yikes.”
“Yeah. And then this guy—the guy I’m getting a drink with tonight—came out of nowhere. Saved my ass and scared the other guy away.”
Shirley snaps her fingers. “A white knight.”
I sigh. “In a way.”
Shirley taps her fingers on the bar counter. “But you’re not interested in him, are you? You just came out of obligation.”
I look up at her. “You’re good at reading people.”
“Part of being a bartender. I’m like a psychiatrist without all the extra med school loans.”
“That’s funny. My best friend wants to go into psychiatry. I should give her your number.”
“Best in the biz, babe.” Shirley leans back in. “So is there another man? One who’s keeping your heart at bay?”
Is Shirley a freaking mind reader? Like, come on!
“Yes. A guy I hooked up with at my friend’s wedding, the future psychiatrist. At first he told me we had no future together…but then…”
“He wormed his way right into your heart.”
“Bingo. I actually just got back from a weekend in his family’s cabin with him.”
“That must have been fun.”
“It was. More than fun. It was…transcendent.”
“Okay, Little Miss Ten-Dollar Word.” Shirley grins. “But obviously he’s not entirely in the picture, otherwise you wouldn’t be here checking in on Mr. White Knight.”
“Right. We kind of left things…undecided. He lives on the Western Slope, so it would be a long-distance thing.”
Shirley rolls her eyes. “Ugh. A situationship. Been there. It can really fuck with you.”
“Yeah, but with Henry, it’s like a good pain, you know? Like, my heart is a little broken, but it’s also a reminder that I have a heart in the first place.”
“I’ll have to save that line for my next book.” Shirley crosses her arms.
“Just give me ten percent of your royalties.” I take another sip of my drink. I like Shirley. Maybe I’ll see if she wants to hang out sometime, watch a movie.
“So tell me about the guy you’re meeting tonight. The obligation.”
I shrug. “He’s nice. A little persistent. I kind of tried lightly ghosting him, but he kept coming back like a little puppy dog. He’s sweet enough. Really good-looking.”
“But not the one, huh?”
I shake my head slightly. “I don’t think so. But he’s earned a drink.”
“He a regular here?” Shirley asks. “I might know him.”
“He seemed familiar with the bar. His name is Lance. Lance Rodriguez?”
Shirley shifts her gaze. “Oh, honey.”