Chapter Seven
Harper
Just a few more hours, then freedom. It had been a hell of a night, and after having two drunkards in the corner booth constantly commenting on my “mighty fine” ass, not to mention having more than a few drinks spilled on me, I was about ready to call it quits again.
“This table is dirty,” one of the girls who had just sat down in a booth with her group of friends grumbled at me.
The back of my eyes hurt with the beginnings of a headache. “We haven’t gotten around to cleaning that one up,” I explained. “But I can wipe it down for you.”
“Ew, yeah,” one of the other girls said, bending down to inspect the table. “It needs a deep clean. Yuck.”
I grabbed a rag off the bar and made my way back over to them, clearing off some of the dirty dishes and wiping away a majority of the crumbs.
The girl who had first spoken began to talk again, lowering her voice only slightly. “I’d never work at a dive like this, no matter how desperate I was.”
“Table’s ready for you.”
“We need a couple Cosmos,” she called over her shoulder. “If you can handle that.”
I kept my eyes down as I brought the order to Miles, the bartender. I glanced over at the girls, now sitting, giggling, and whispering as they looked at me. I resisted the urge to spit in their drinks as Miles handed them to me.
“You look happy,” he said. He was an older man, and had been the bartender here for at least a dozen years.
I hoped to God I didn’t have to work in this bar that long. “I am happy, can’t you tell?” I gave him a dirty look.
He laughed. “Don’t be spitting in their drinks.” He grinned as I looked at him innocently. “Yeah, little missy. I know what you’re thinking, and it isn’t worth it.”
“I just can’t do this anymore,” I groaned, grabbing the drinks and making my way back over to the girls.
“Oh my God, finally,” one of them said, taking a sip of her drink. “Whoa. Who the hell is that?” She then said under her breath. “He’s fucking hot.”
Not even kind of interested in following her gaze, I sighed. “Can I get you anything else?”
“You can get out of the way so we can see,” the same girl answered, as the others craned their necks to look.
I sighed inwardly as I turned around and immediately froze. The hot guy was Mason, and he was making his way toward me. I attempted to ignore him and make my way over to the bar, grabbing a handful of empty glasses and not looking his way. But obviously, I knew he wasn’t leaving.
I felt him approach and could smell his manly cologne. “Harper, you can’t ignore me forever.”
I glanced up. His deep blue eyes were bloodshot, but still had a slightly hypnotizing affect on me. He looked tired and worn out. Good, I thought to myself.
“What the hell are you doing here? How did you find out where I work?” Even as I asked the question, the answer hit me. “Oh,” I said, bitterly. “That’s probably just part of your ‘perks,’ right, Asher?”
“I came to give you this.” He attempted to hand me a white envelope.
“I don’t want your fucking money.” I pushed the envelope away, disgusted. “Now leave me the hell alone.”
I attempted to walk passed him, but he grabbed my arm, his grip tight but gentle. “We need to talk.” He found my eyes, pleading with me. “Please, Harper?”
“Harper, are you alright?” Miles stared hard at Mason.
I gave him a weary smile. “I’m fine,” I said, turning my attention back to Mason. “You’ll leave me alone after this?”
“I will, if you want me to.”
I led him over to the wall near the kitchen. Traffic was relatively slow tonight, so not many people walked past us. The smell of greasy burgers wafted through the little hall. “You have two minutes.”
“Look, I know you think I lied to you about everything, Harper. But I swear to God, I didn’t mean for this to happen. I deal with so many of my clients, and so many women from these events. It’s hard to tell who wants to know me for me, and who wants to get close because of who I am and what I have.” Mason licked his lips and I had to look away, I didn’t want to fall for his spell, or his games. “I wanted to have a fresh start with someone.”
“You manipulated me and the situation.” I spat out.
“It wasn’t like that. I just wanted you to like me for me, not for my money. I know you aren’t one to be blinded by wealth, but how was I supposed to know that when we first met? I had to be sure. And I am sure, now, Harper. I want you in my life.”
“If this is supposed to be an apology, it’s a pretty shitty one.”
“I’m sorry. I am. If I could have done things differently, I would have. But don’t you remember that afternoon at the vineyard? Do you think I was lying then? I care for you, deeply. I never lied about my feelings for you.”
Tears filled my eyes, hot and unshed. I wiped my nose with the back of my hand, not able to meet his gaze. “Go away, Mason.”
“At least take the envelope.” He pleaded.
“I don’t want it.”
He took a step closer as he begged. “Please.” His lips hovered inches from mine. I turned my head just moments before he pressed his lips up against me, kissing my cheek instead of my mouth.
“Go away,” I repeated, a lump forming in my throat as my entire body protested my words.
He straightened, placing the envelope in the apron pouch I was wearing. “Goodbye, Harper.”
Then he was gone.