Stranger In A Bar

Charlie POV

I ran up from the subway dodging large puddles of water and people as I hurried up the street. My coat balanced over my head for some protection from the heavy rain. I dodged through the wooden doorway of O Malleys Irish bar my eyes took a moment to adjust to the dull dingy lighting. I shook the rain water off my clothing and from my loose red hair before hanging up my wet coat and rushing behind the bar.

"I'm sorry Josh. It's bad outside so everything is moving slower." I apologised as I relieved the tense looking Josh from behind the bar.

"No worries it's been quiet save the lone stag party in the corner. Sasha will be in by eight for the evening as will Danny" he smiled as he quickly placed a friendly kiss on my cheek before taking off out of the bar and into the rain. I busied myself wiping down the counter then settled into helping Mr Sullivan my regular elderly gentleman with his crossword. I sipped my coffee as we teased out the clues. I was engrossed in the puzzle when Mr Sullivan tapped my hand to get my attention and with mischief in his eyes he signalled to something behind me.

"Excuse me Miss" a voice called as I looked up from Mr Sullivan's paper.

"Sorry. What can I get you?" I replied as Mr Sullivan patted my hand warmly gathered his paper under his arm and left into the evening. I walked up the length of the bar counter.

"Four Guinness, four bourbons, three vodkas and a whiskey on the rocks" he ordered.

"No problem. I hear you boys are on a stag" I casually made conversation as I pulled the pints.

"Yes I guess so." He murmured

"You guess?" I raised my eyebrow.

"It's complicated." He smiled but looked a little uncomfortable.

"I'm Emmett Sinclair" he added holding out a hand. I took in his striking appearance he had smoldering good looks, his dark brown hair was slightly curly and flopped over his forehead. His muscles strained against his shirt and I imagined his chiseled six pack beneath the fabric. He raised an eyebrow as I dragged my eyes off his body and felt a blush spread over my cheeks. He looked down at me from his looming tall height a small smirk played on his lips as I scrambled to regain my composure.

"Charlie Tudor." I returned the handshake.

"Tudor? That's a very royal historical surname" he raised an eyebrow

"If only. But I'm surprised you made the immediate connection few people do" I placed the pints on the counter along with the whiskey. I busied myself pouring the shots.

"I like history, and politics and I'm a quick study" he smiled. "And Charlie?" He smiled addressing my unusual first name.

"My mom was a non traditional name lover" I supplied shrugging but in truth I had no idea why she called me Charlie .

He nodded and began ferrying the drinks over to his friends. Sasha arrived right before the Friday night rush. I was busy dishing out a large row of twenty Irish shots for the gathered students whilst Sasha worked the crowd and before I knew it we were at closing and Danny was rounding up the customers.

"Charlie?" Emmett called he was now alone as his group staggered out into the night. He seemed put together despite the drink his group consumed.

"I was wondering what a lady like yourself does after here?" He asked.

I glanced at my wrist watch.

"Two in the morning I usually clean down the bar and head home"

"Well I know a wonderful little twenty four hour diner and thought you might be hungry?" He seemed a little uncomfortable

"Yeah Matty's diner we go there sometimes"

Sasha suddenly appeared at my elbow

"Go I'll close here." she winked as she turned to Emmett "She'll be right with you." She added as she bundled me into the store room where our coats hung. She grabbed my still wet jacket and tossed it to me. I took in my friend her mischievous eyes were twinkling and her blonde hair was falling from its clip after the night's work.

"Sasha I don't know him." I hissed as I began to protest.

"Charlie please for the love of God that man is hot. You are going to the diner for food not down a dark ally way." she laughed. "People go on dates to get to know new people." she added as she fixed my hair.

"Sasha." I began

"Oh my god Charlie you have lived like a nun for long enough, now go with the hot man." She muttered opening the door and bundling me out. "We got you away from your father and grandfather so you could live so this is living" she added as she continued to guide me to the waiting handsome stranger.

I rolled my eyes at her.

Emmett and I made comfortable small talk as we wandered the block to the diner.

"I think this place is a new York gem" I sighed as I pushed open the door to the little diner spot.

An older lady in a nineteen fifties pink cardigan and skirt was at the counter. A tall man with a deep American Italian accent was flipping burgers at the grill.

"Hello Angela" I called cheerily to her.

"Hello sugar. Any gossip?" She called back.

"Looks like gossip came in with her Angela" the chef Frankie smirked leaning over the service counter for a better look at Emmett. I was a regular customer so they both knew my love life was pretty pathetic so this was unusual.

"Awww aren't you funny Frankie" I called back at the chef as he looked through the kitchen hatch while I was sliding into the corner booth with Emmett.

Angela placed a mug on the table and filled it with black coffee.

"Your usual?" She asked.

"Yes please and you handsome?" She turned to Emmett a sly smirk danced on her lips.

"The usual?" He looked at me.

"Eggs and bacon" I answered.

"Perfect. Same please." He added turning to Angela

"Coming right up" Angela poured his coffee and left.

"So stag party?" I asked raising an eyebrow as I held my coffee mug.

"More like stag trip, we're in New York for two weeks then we head back to the territory."

"Territory?"

"Small village we live in calling it the territory is an inside joke" he supplied seeming a little shifty. "So Charlie what do you do?" He swiftly moved on

"Well I work at the Irish bar my grandfather owns it and I'm a freelance writer for an online magazine. I just graduated so I'm still deciding what I want full-time."

"Your a writer how cool" his eyes lit up.

"Yup sadly it's yet to be seen if it will pay the bills" I sighed as Angela dropped our plates down

"Oh come on Charlie your talented Frankie and I know you'll find a way" Angela added as she bustled away.

"She has to say that she knows my Grandfather." I laughed.

"Your Grandfather?" Emmett asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yea he has a certain aura that makes people notice him." I shrugged "Anyway how about you Emmett?"

I asked digging into my eggs. "What do you do?"

"Politics. I'm in politics." He answered.

"Politics?"

"Yes on my families insistence." He added. "It's a family affair" he laughed. "Have you a big family?"

"My father raised me with my grandparents. My grandmother died a year ago so it's now just dad and Grandpa."

"Daddy's girl?" He laughed

"I guess so, he's always super protective of me." I smiled.

Emmett and I chatted on I found out he had a brother and sister. Was dragged on this stag trip by his best friend Adam and he liked to travel. He lived at home still.

He was so easy to talk to that I was shocked when the first rays of sunshine crept through the diner windows. I looked at my watch it was nearly six am.

"Oh my God we talked all night" I gasped.

"Come on let me walk you home" he got up and payed the bill.

We walked together laughing and joking. The streets were still quiet and nearly deserted. Soon I paused outside my building.

"This was fun" I smiled.

"It was indeed. I was wondering if I could have your number?" Emmett asked.

"You leave in two weeks"

"I know but I figured you could show me around in those two weeks"

"Sure. Why not" I replied typing my number into his cellphone.

I started up the steps to my building.

" Charlie?" He called I turned back around to face him. "Dinner tonight?" He suggested.

"Sure pick me up at eight" I called as I opened the door and went inside. I felt a draw to this guy a strong feeling of familiarity enveloped me when I was with him.

After a quick shower I climbed into my bed and fell into a bliss full sleep.

Emmett POV

The guys were chugging back drinks when I spotted a girl at the bar she was kindly laughing and interacting with an elderly gentleman, he seemed enthralled by her. I could relate she was an enthralling creature. I muttered to the guys I was getting another round and approached her. Her long red hair fell over her shoulders and down her back, she was short in stature. Her voice was the sweetest sound I ever heard as she spoke. I caught her taking in my body and for some reason I felt delighted when a blush coloured her beautiful cheeks. Her eyes were piercing emerald green and they sparkled as she spoke.

As the night ended I knew I needed to find out more about her. I asked her out she became flustered and her pushy friend intervined and insisted I decided there and then I liked the perky blonde. When we entered the diner I stiffened as I realised the night staff were largely werewolves. I knew the Waitress Angela and the chef Frankie were wolves so the fact that they knew Charlie's grandfather surprised me a little. I knew first hand werewolves tended to keep tight circles, the waitress had a strong presence I knew from the twinkle in her eye she felt my aura and so her calling me handsome amused me as it was quite daring. I brushed everything aside as coincidence as I regarded Charlie carefully she was clearly human. I walked her home but as I watched her leave I couldn't bare it and instinct blurted out my dinner invite as I needed to be sure I was seeing her again soon.