Chapter Three

I was already getting a little tipsy, and Sarah still haven’t returned my calls. 

I slumped against the bar, staring at the television mounted above the counter. A hockey game was playing. 

I wasn’t a fan of hockey, but tonight I decided to give it a try. Maybe focusing on something that would keep my mind from wandering back to Derek. 

I lied to myself. It didn’t work. 

My phone rang. I glanced down my heart lurching. 

It’s Sarah finally. 

I quickly picked up. 

“Hey babe. I’m so sorry I missed your calls,” She said, sounding breathless. 

“It’s fine,” I replied, taking a deep breath and trying to steady my voice. 

“Are you okay?” She asked. 

I swallowed hard, my throat tightened.

“Sarah, I caught Derek cheating on me” I said, tears already spilling over. 

“Oh my God.” Her voice softened immediately. “Where are you? I’m so sorry babe.”

“I’m in a bar” I said, sniffing. 

“Text me the address, I’ll be there shortly” Sarah said. 

“Okay”. 

I shared my location with her immediately after the call ended. 

I reached for the towel beside me and wiped my tears, before calling the bartender over. 

“Another rock glass, Please”.

I took a sip of bourbon and returned my attention back to the hockey game. 

A few minutes later, the door opened. 

I turned my head expecting to see Sarah. 

But it wasn’t her. 

A man walked into the bar. 

He looked to be in his early thirties, around 6’3” with a lean, muscular physique with broad shoulders, a well defined chest, strong arms, a narrow waist, subtle abs beneath his clothes.  

His thick, dark brown hair was naturally wavy and a neatly groomed short boxed beard frames his strong, square oval face, giving him a polished appearance.

He wore black jeans and a black button down shirt, the sleeves rolled to his forearms. 

He looked around the room before his gaze landed on the empty seat beside me.

Then he started walking in my direction. 

I watched him approach, my breath catching slightly as he stopped beside the stool next to me. 

“Is this seat taken?” he asked. 

His voice caught me off guard, it was deep and smooth. 

 A shiver ran down my spine. 

I stared at him for several seconds. 

Apparently long enough for him to notice. 

He tapped his finger lightly against the wooden bar, creating a soft rhythmic sound. 

I blinked.

“Sorry” I said, my cheeks flushing.

“It’s fine,” he said with an amused smile, one eyebrow slightly raised. “Waiting for someone?” 

“Yes,” I said, offering him a small smile. 

He pulled out the stool and sat down. 

Then I noticed his hands. His fingers were long and slender, surprisingly delicate for someone with such a strong build. 

I quickly looked away. 

The bartender walked over. 

“Good evening, what can I get you?” he asked.

The stranger glanced at my glass.

“Get me whatever the beautiful lady is having,” he replied. 

Our gaze met, his eyes were beautiful, warm, brown and disarming direct. 

My stomach fluttered. 

“No I was not about to develop a crush on a man  I had known for less than five minutes” I told myself. 

I was already tipsy, heartbroken and emotionally unstable. I needed Sarah desperately. 

The bartender returned with a rock glass filled with bourbon and placed it in front of him. 

He picked up the glass and took a slow sip. 

His eyes returned to me. 

My hair was probably a disaster. My eyes were swollen from crying.

I reached for my phone. No text or call from Sarah.

I sighed. 

“Still waiting for someone?” He asked. 

“Yes, my best friend,” I replied. “She is late.”

He studied me for a second. 

“You’re pretty tipsy,” he said. His eyebrows lifted slightly, and there was a faint crease between them. 

“Nah, I’m cool,” I insisted, waving one hand dismissively, getting the bartender’s attention. 

“I need another rock glass...” My words came out slower than usual, slightly slurred.

The bartender exchanged a quick glance with the stranger before disappearing behind the bar. 

He returned moment later, carrying another glass.

“Here you go,” he said, setting the rock glass. 

I quickly grabbed it. I took a long sip, letting the bourbon burn down my throat. 

The stranger watched me carefully. 

“You don’t seem to be doing too well,” he said.

I laughed out loud, “me?, I’m pretty cool” I replied. 

He tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. 

Then, without warning, tears filled my eyes.

I lifted my gaze to the ceiling, trying to stop them but wasn’t working. 

Suddenly tears rolled down my cheeks. 

 I broke down like a child who had finally run out of strength. 

The stranger’s expression changed immediately. The amusement disappeared from his face, replaced with concern. 

“Hey,” he said softly.

He shifted closer.

I tried wiping my face with the towel, but my hands were shaking. 

“I’m fine,” I whispered between sobs. 

“Clearly, you’re not,” he said in a gentle tone. 

He placed his arms around my shoulders. 

I didn’t pull away. Instead I leaned into him. 

His chest was warm beneath my cheek. 

“It’s okay, it’s going to be fine,” he murmured. 

He took the towel from my hand and gently wiped the tears from my cheek. 

I lifted my head and our eyes met. Neither of us spoke. 

 Before either of us could second guess it, my lips brushed against his. 

It wasn’t brief. 

My heart raced as I pulled back slowly. 

My eyes widening as reality caught up with me. 

I stared at him, stunned. 

He looked just as surprised. 

Then my phone rang. 

I grabbed my phone from the bar. I answered without hesitation. 

“Hey girl, where are you? I’m in the bar” Sarah said. 

“Over here,” I said, waving like an excited child who had just spotted her best friend after being separated for years. 

She was wearing a black jacket, one of her favorites . That was how I recognized her immediately.

She hurried towards me.

 Then she stopped, her eyes narrowed. 

She looked at my flushed face, my half empty glass and then the stranger sitting beside me. 

Her expression changed instantly. 

She knew exactly how lightheaded I could get. 

“Oh girl. What have you done?” she said, trying to pull my hair back from my face. 

“You must be Sarah,” the stranger said. 

She turned towards him. 

“Yes. And you are?” she replied, her tone sharped.

“Just a random guy who met your friend here”.

“Sarah please, can we just go home” I said, my voice small.

“Alright, let’s go,” she said.

Sarah tried to pay for my bills, but the stranger said he would handle it. 

She slipped her arm around my waist and tried to help me stand.

I wobbled immediately. 

“Whoa.” Sarah tightened her grip. “Girl, how much did you drink?” 

“Don’t know like three, four, five,” I said, laughing out loud. 

The stranger stood. 

“Let me help you.”

Sarah looked at him cautiously before nodding. 

He moved to the other side, helping steady me while Sarah kept an arm around my waist. 

Before then, Sarah had already ordered a ride. 

“Easy girl, you drank way too much,” she said as we made our way towards the entrance. 

“I’m fine,” I protested. 

The three of us made it out.  A car pulled up a moment later. 

Sarah opened the back door. 

“Come on” 

I tried climbing in by myself  but stumbled slightly. 

The stranger caught my arm before I could lose my balance. 

“Easy,” the stranger said. 

“Thank you,” Sarah said, giving him a grateful smile. 

He nodded. 

I slid into the back seat, and Sarah climbed in beside me. 

Before the door closed. I look at him. 

He was standing beneath the bar sign, his hands in his pockets, watching me. 

The door shut, and the car pulled away. 

I rested my head on Sarah’s lap. 

“I can’t believe he cheated on me,” I said. 

“Sorry, girl. That guy doesn’t deserve you. Not  a bit. I’m so sorry,” she said, running her finger gently through my hair.

“Yes, not one bit,” I said, sobbing quietly. “I loved him.” 

“I know,” she said. 

“It’s going to be fine. When we get home, we’ll talk about it,” she said. 

The rest of the ride was quiet.

A night I would never forget.