The Waiter by Bradleigh Collins (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📕

dance floor - including the three of us - was dripping with sweat. But every time a song would fade out and we would think about taking a break, an even better song would come on that kept us dancing.

We saw Simon and his friend Sean walk in. Dana motioned that we’d meet them over at the bar. They had gone to the Braves game earlier and then to a few sports bars downtown. I’d met Sean once before. He was cute in a preppy sort of way. Not my type at all, but completely Deb’s.

“Alright, one more drink and I’m going home,” I said. “My feet are killing me.”

“That’s because you wore those heels,” Deb replied. “I don’t know how you walk in those things, much less dance in them.”

I leaned down to adjust the strap on my sandal. When I looked up, I saw Dalton standing by the entrance staring at me. He was talking to Dave, the bouncer.

“Fuck!”

“What’s the matter?” Dana asked.

“Look who’s here.” I motioned towards the door.

“What the hell is he doing here?” she asked as he walked over to us. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I’ve missed you too, Dana,” Dalton said. He and Simon exchanged their usual “hey man, how’s it going” greeting. “I need to talk to Sam.”

Dana looked at me. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“We’ll give you guys a minute. I’ll be right over there.” She pointed to an area by the dance floor where Sean and Deb were chatting.

I took a sip of my martini.

“How many of those have you had?”

“Not enough to make me forget you’re an asshole.”

“I know I’m an asshole. I’m trying not to be.”

The female bartender smiled at Dalton. “Whatcha drinking gorgeous?”

“Scotch.”

“Why are you even here? Shouldn’t you be watching a movie with Rhonda or something?”

“Sam, I’m sorry. I don’t know how many times I have to say it.” He grabbed my hand and held it. “I miss you, babe.”

I missed him too, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. I just stood there, sipping my cocktail, holding his hand.

The bar was getting crowded. Dana and Simon and Deb and Sean were out on the dance floor. A table opened up right next to us and Dalton quickly grabbed it. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I could feel Dana looking at me from the dance floor. I looked up just as she mouthed the words “What the fuck?” I shrugged and threw my hands up in the air. She shook her head.

“So, are you gonna give me another chance or what?”

“I’m speaking to you, Dalton. That’s the best I can do right now.”

“And you’re sitting on my lap.”

“Only because my feet are hurting.”

Dana and Simon were back.

“I’m gonna take your drunk friend home now,” Simon said.

Dana leaned down and hugged me. “Do you want us to take you home?”

“No, I’m okay,” I said. “We’re just talking.”

Dana got in Dalton’s face. “Don’t be a dick,” she said, poking him in the chest with each syllable. “Don’t. Be. A. Dick.”

He laughed. “Goodnight, Dana.”

“Love you, Sam. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

They left, with Dana taking one last chance to turn around and point her finger at Dalton before walking out the door.

“You never answered my question,” I said to him. “Why are you here?”

“It’s Friday night. I saw Dana’s car at Murder Kroger. I figured you guys would be here.”

“You figured I’d be drunk.”

“I figured correctly. Why are you so drunk?”

“Because Bitchy Brenda sabotaged my dream job in New York.”

“You interviewed for a job in New York?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t get it. So Deb and Dana took me out to make me feel better.”

“Do you feel better?”

Just then I saw Blondie making her way through the crowd. I jumped up. “I’m gonna get you a Blondie lap dance! She can crush your head between her boobs. That will definitely make me feel better.” I started to walk over to her. Dalton stood up and pulled me back.

“You are not getting me a lap dance.”

I made a square around his face with my index fingers. “You know what this is? This is you not being fun.” He laughed. Then I yelled out for Blondie.

“Okay, time to go.” He picked me up and slung me over his shoulder and started carrying me through the bar.

Deb and Sean were still on the dance floor. “Deb, I’m taking her home!”

“Sam, call me tomorrow!” I wanted to wave at her, but I was using both hands to hold my little black dress down so I wasn’t flashing anyone my thong. Not that anyone there would have cared or even noticed.

“Later man,” I heard Dalton say to Dave as we left.

“Bye, Dave,” I said. I could see his shoes but not his face. Everybody knew Dave and Dave knew everybody. If anyone but Dalton was hauling my drunk ass out of the Clermont over their shoulder, Dave would have stopped them in their tracks.

“Put me down, Dalton! I’m still mad at you.” He was carrying me up the hill to the street where his car was parked.

“You can still be mad at me in the car, Sam.”

When we got to the car, he put me down. Slowly. My body slid down his until my feet were on the ground and my arms around his neck. He leaned me up against the passenger side door. I looked up at him. I knew exactly what was about to happen. And I had no intention of stopping it.

Dalton leaned down and kissed me. It lasted forever. And I still wanted more.

CHAPTER 8

◆◆◆

I woke up with a pounding headache and a regretful recollection of the night before. Oh god. I kissed Dalton. I immediately checked to see if my clothes were still on. They were. I had slept in the same dress I’d worn out last night. My hair and my pillow smelled like smoke. Someone had taken my shoes off, and I didn’t remember that someone being me.

I rolled over.