Chapter Five- Adrian DeLuca Doesn’t Tip

Adrian DeLuca didn’t tip. Jamie learned that on a thursday that smelled like rain and burnt citrus from the cleaner they’d overused on the floors. It was the kind of detail that lodged itself under the skin not because of the money, but because of what it suggested. People who didn’t tip were usually careless, entitled, loud about it. Adrian was none of those things. Jamie noticed anyway. He noticed everything.

It was late afternoon, the quiet stretch before the bar filled itself with bodies and noise. Sunlight slanted in through the front windows, catching dust motes and the faint smudge on the mirror behind the liquor shelves. Jamie wiped it again, slower than necessary. His arms still felt heavy from the morning shift at the café. His brain felt like it was lagging behind his body, a half-second delay that made him clumsier than usual.

Adrian sat in the corner booth. Of course he did. Jamie didn’t look right away. He pretended to inventory bottles, to check receipts, to listen when Mara complained about the new schedule. Still, awareness hummed at the back of his skull, a pressure, a pull. He finally glanced over. Adrian was alone. No Luca. No Lily. Just him, jacket draped beside him, sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms that looked like they’d been built for restraint rather than show. He wasn’t drinking yet. He wasn’t on his phone. He just sat there, still, like he was waiting for something to align. Jamie hated that his stomach flipped. “Don’t,” he muttered to himself, wiping the counter too hard. Evan slid onto a stool across from him, eyes already dancing with interest. “He’s back.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” Evan grinned. “Because you’re doing that thing with your jaw.” Jamie stopped clenching it out of spite. “I don’t have a thing.”

“You absolutely do. It’s cute.”

“Go flirt with someone else.” Evan’s gaze drifted to the booth. “I would, but I value my life.” Jamie snorted. “You don’t even know him.”

“I know enough.” Jamie didn’t respond. He grabbed a glass and approached the booth, pulse ticking up with every step. Adrian looked up as he neared, eyes dark and intent, expression unreadable. “Whiskey?” Jamie asked. Adrian nodded. “Please.” The politeness caught him off guard. Jamie poured, the amber liquid glinting briefly in the light before settling. He set the glass down gently. Adrian watched his hands. Not in a way that felt leering. In a way that felt… deliberate. Jamie straightened. “Anything else?” Adrian shook his head. “Sit.”

Jamie blinked. “I’m working.”

“I know,” Adrian said. “Sit anyway.” Jamie glanced around. The bar was nearly empty. Mara was in the back. Evan was pretending not to watch. Jamie hesitated, then slid into the booth across from Adrian, posture stiff, ready to bolt. “This isn’t a date,” Jamie said. Adrian’s mouth curved slightly. “I’m aware.”

“Good.” They sat in silence for a moment. The hum of the refrigerator. The muted clink of ice. Outside, a car passed, tires hissing against damp pavement. “You didn’t tip,” Jamie said before he could stop himself. Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Is that a complaint?” Jamie flushed. “No. It’s just… a thing people do.” Adrian considered him over the rim of his glass. “Do you need the money?” Jamie’s jaw tightened. “That’s not….”

“Yes, it is,” Adrian said quietly. Jamie looked away. “Everyone needs money.”

“Not everyone,” Adrian said. The words landed heavier than they should have. Jamie laughed softly. “Must be nice.” Adrian didn’t respond. He set the glass down untouched. “I don’t tip because I don’t want my presence here to be transactional.” Jamie frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“It does,” Adrian said. “If I tip, I’m a customer buying goodwill. If I don’t, I’m just a man in a bar.” Jamie scoffed. “You’re not just a man in a bar.” Adrian’s gaze sharpened. “And why is that?” Jamie hesitated. He hadn’t meant to say it. He felt suddenly exposed, like he’d admitted to something private. “People watch you,” he said finally. “They move around you. They listen when you talk.” Adrian studied him. “You’re observant.”

“I have to be.”

“Why?” Jamie shrugged. “Because if I’m not, things happen.” Adrian nodded slowly. “Exactly.” Jamie frowned. “That still doesn’t explain the tipping.” Adrian leaned back slightly, giving him space. “I don’t want you to think I’m paying for your attention.” Jamie’s breath caught. “You’re not.”

“I know,” Adrian said. “I want it freely.” The words settled between them, charged and uncomfortable. Jamie crossed his arms. “You don’t get to decide what I give.” Adrian’s gaze softened, just a fraction. “I don’t decide. I wait.” Jamie didn’t like how that sounded. He didn’t like how part of him responded to it anyway. A man entered the bar, glanced around, then froze when he noticed Adrian. He chose a stool at the opposite end instead. Jamie clocked it. So did Adrian.

“Your friend,” Jamie said carefully. “The one who stands by the wall sometimes. Where is he?”

“Busy,” Adrian replied. “With what?”

“Cleaning up after other people’s mistakes.” Jamie winced. “That sounds ominous.”

“It is.” Jamie shifted in the booth. “You know, for someone who says he doesn’t want to buy attention, you’re very comfortable taking up space.” Adrian’s mouth twitched. “I was raised that way.”

“Raised where?” Jamie asked. Adrian’s gaze flicked toward the window, then back. “Here and elsewhere.”

“That’s vague.”

“Intentionally.” Jamie huffed a laugh. “You’re infuriating.”

“So I’ve been told.” They fell quiet again. Jamie became acutely aware of how close they were, knees nearly touching beneath the table. The booth felt smaller than usual. Warmer. He could smell Adrian’s cologne now; something dark and clean, like cedar and smoke. “People don’t usually sit with me,” Jamie said suddenly. Adrian looked at him. “Why do you think that is?”

Jamie shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m… background.” Adrian’s eyes darkened. “You’re not.” Jamie scoffed. “You don’t know me.” Adrian leaned forward slightly. “You work three jobs. You walk home even when you’re exhausted. You flinch when people touch you without permission. You argue even when you’re tired because you don’t like being told what to do.” Jamie stared at him. “Have you been watching me?”

“Yes.” The admission was blunt. Unapologetic. Jamie’s heart thudded. “That’s not okay.”

“I know,” Adrian said. “But I did it anyway.” Jamie swallowed. “Why?” Adrian’s gaze held his, steady and unflinching. “Because you matter to me.” The words hit harder than any threat could have. “That’s ridiculous,” Jamie said, too quickly. “You don’t even know my middle name.”

“I don’t need it.” Jamie stood abruptly, the bench scraping softly. “This is crossing a line.” Adrian didn’t move. “Which one?”

“All of them,” Jamie snapped. Adrian’s expression didn’t change. “Sit.”

“No.”

Adrian exhaled slowly, like he was recalibrating. “Jamie.” The way he said it; low, controlled, made Jamie’s skin prickle. “Don’t,” Jamie warned. Adrian held up his hands. “I won’t touch you. I won’t follow you tonight. But I need you to understand something.” Jamie hesitated, then sat back down, tension buzzing through him. “What?”

“I don’t tip,” Adrian said, “because when I want something, I don’t buy it. I claim it.” Jamie’s pulse spiked. “That’s not reassuring.” Adrian’s gaze softened again, just enough to be dangerous. “I’m not claiming you.”

“Yet,” Jamie shot back. Adrian didn’t deny it. The silence that followed was thick, heavy with unspoken things. The bar door opened again. Mara returned from the back, glancing between them. “Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yes,” Adrian said smooth. Jamie stood, “I need to get back to work.”

Adrian nodded. “Of course.” Jamie turned away, heart pounding. He finished his tasks mechanically, avoiding the booth. When he finally glanced back, Adrian was gone. On the table where he’d sat was nothing. No cash. No receipt. No tip. Just the faint impression of his presence, lingering like a promise Jamie didn’t know how to refuse. That night, as Jamie locked up and stepped into the street alone, he realized something that unsettled him more than the lack of money ever could. Adrian DeLuca didn’t tip, but he always paid his debts.

And somehow, impossibly, Jamie had the sense that one of them had just been written in his name.