The rest of the weekend was enjoyable – Jacob and I spent Sunday at a park, practicing reading, and I finally nailed down the theme for his birthday party: pirates. Planning a party for a kid turning four was a lot different now than it had been when I was growing up. My parents hadn’t exactly cared much, but I’d still had the occasional birthday party with cake and pizza. But kids now were used to a lot more – I’d taken Jacob to a birthday party earlier that year that was magician-themed, and the gift bags had included a live white mouse, as well as a small terrarium, a wheel, and a magic kit with real smoke bombs.

By the time Monday rolled around, I was dreading work. It had been the most relaxing weekend that I’d had in a long time, and I was loath for things to go back to normal. I hated being so busy and stressed during the week. As soon as Jacob started school, I was going to look for another job. I had a bachelor’s degree in business, but all of the jobs that matched my skills didn’t have the freedom and flexibility of tending bar. That freedom was important with such a young kid, but I looked forward to the day when I could take a real job, and not have to deal with drunken frat boys five nights a week.

I groaned when I got to The Sleeping Dog. There was a white banner tacked up in the corner that read: “Tau Kappa Epsilon: Kick Ass & Take Names!”

I groaned. TKE was the worst of the local frats, and they were always the rowdiest. The last time they’d hosted a party at The Sleeping Dog, I’d scraped dried vomit off the floor for over three hours straight.

Tonight was no exception. By ten-thirty, the kids were hanging from the ceiling rafters, throwing mugs of beer at each other’s heads, and swearing so loudly that the sound of curse words rang through my head.

I can’t believe I’m thirty-one and tending bar at a frat hangout, I thought miserably as I wiped spilled beer off the counter for the third time in twenty minutes. This is fucking ridiculous.

More than being ridiculous, it also made me feel old. I knew that I was only ten years older than most of the kids partying, but just watching them made me feel ancient. I remembered my college days pretty well – and I hadn’t exactly been a wallflower – but they were nothing compared to these kids. If I’d partied like they did, I was sure that I’d be six feet under, dead from alcohol poisoning.

One of the boys walked up to the bar with a cocky grin. “Hey, lady,” he said. “Gimme a tray of Fireball shots.”

I cringed just thinking about it.

“Hey, I know you’re old,” the guy said. “But my friend over there thinks you’re sexy!”

I groaned. When I peered over the kid’s shoulder, I saw a guy smiling at me and licking his lips.

“Ew,” I said. “Tell your friend, thanks but no thanks. I already have a toddler at home. I don’t need another.”

The group of boys exploded in laughter and I rolled my eyes as I filled up plastic cups with the disgusting cinnamon-scented whiskey.

“She really is old!” One of the guys hooted. “She has a kid!”

Kill me now, I thought. Just one little icepick to the skull, that’s all.

With a groan, I checked my watch. I still had over two hours left before last call, and then I knew I’d be cleaning for at least another hour. The bar looked like a pigsty. I turned around and began cleaning, humming under my breath.

“Scuse me, can I get a beer?”

“Wait a second,” I said shrilly. “I’ll be right with you.”

When I turned around, I was shocked to see Billy standing there. He was wearing a white polo shirt that set off his golden tan perfectly, and blonde hair was tousled. He grinned.

“I was hoping you’d be here,” Billy said.

I rolled my eyes. “What are you doing here, looking for Keaton?” Before Billy could reply, I glanced over his shoulder at the frat boys. “Or are you a Tau Kappa Epsilon alum?”

Billy laughed. “I’m offended,” he said in his deep twang. “I thought everyone could tell – I pledged Sigma Chi.”

I handed him a glass of Miller Lite – the only beer we kept on tap. “Sorry, I must have my frats mixed up,” I said sarcastically.

“I’m not looking for Keaton,” Billy said.

“Then what are you doing here?”

Billy laughed, raising an eyebrow and holding his hands up in the air. “Easy, easy,” he said. “Can’t a man drink his damn beer without getting the third degree?”

I blushed. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “It’s just been a crazy night. I hate these damn frat parties. They’re awful.”

Billy snickered. “Yeah, you look real tuckered out,” he said. “Listen, I didn’t come to see Keaton. I came to see you.”

I blushed again, ducking my face down until it was hidden in my sheaf of black hair.

“And now you’re bein’ shy,” Billy teased. “Come on, Alex. Pour yourself a shot – my treat.”

I sighed. Normally, I resisted when customers tried to buy me drinks. But given the mood I was in, and knowing that I’d have to stay so late tonight…well, the combination made tequila sound better than manna from heaven.

I poured two shots of tequila and slid one across the bar to Billy.

“Whoa there,” Billy teased. “You’re really tryin’ to get me drunk, aren’t you?”

“Definitely not,” I said dryly. “I wouldn’t be able to carry you out of here.”

Billy smirked. “Well, Miss Alex, I was hoping you’d do me the honor of having dinner with me tomorrow,” he said. “That sound good?”

“Actually, no,” I said. “I can’t. I have to work.”

“You can’t trade days?” Billy raised an eyebrow. “Or you just don’t feel like going out with me? Come on, Alex – be honest.”

There was an intense look in his bright blue eyes that made me blush. Something about talking to Billy made me forget about the rest of the world. All of the noise and the boorish cheering of the frat boys faded into nothingness when Billy was looking into my eyes.

“I really can’t,” I said. I knew that this should be the time where I mentioned Jacob – and my complete lack of freedom to date. But a tiny part of me was afraid that Billy would lose interest. I knew that was ridiculous. After all, why should I care? I clearly wasn’t interested in him, and I owed him the truth.

“Why not?” Billy leaned on the counter. “Look, what about next Saturday, instead?”

Elisabeth’s words of her “Thursday date” came crashing back. I bit my lip, trying to think it over.

“Come on,” Billy said. “There ain’t nothin’ to be worried about.” He flashed me a megawatt grin. “I promise – it’ll even be someplace public. If you hate me, you can just leave.” He grinned, as if to say that no woman had ever walked out on him. It was almost like a challenge.

“I don’t know,” I said slowly.

“Say yes,” Billy said. He licked his lips and I felt my belly twist with arousal. It had been so long, that I’d practically forgotten the feeling.

“Okay,” I said. “Yes.”

--

That night, I didn’t get home until four in the morning. Elisabeth was asleep on the couch, with Jacob cuddled up next to her. The credits of a Disney movie were paused, and I figured they’d been asleep for hours.

“Hey, little guy,” I said softly, scooping Jacob up in my arms. He didn’t stir as I carried him to his bedroom. “Have a good night, okay? I love you.” I kissed him on the forehead and gently closed the door behind me as I left the room.

When I got back to the living room, Elisabeth was sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She gave me a sleepy smile.

“Hey, rock star,” Elisabeth said. “That must have been quite a night.”

“I know,” I said. I dug in my purse and pulled out an extra fifty-dollar bill. “Take this,” I said. “I was supposed to be home hours ago.”

“I can’t,” Elisabeth said. She pushed my hand back towards me but I held firm.

“There’s something else,” I said. “I need to ask a favor.”

Elisabeth’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah,” I said. “I’ve got this…thing on Saturday. Would you mind watching Jacob? I’ll pay you double,” I said. “And I promise I won’t be late.”

Elisabeth smirked. “Like a date?”

“No!” I said quickly. I blushed.

“Yes, a date,” Elisabeth said. She grinned, looking as smug as a cat. “I’m proud of you,” she said, climbing off the couch and stretching. “You’re finally kicking back and living a little. That’s good, Alex. That’s what you need.”

“Stop it,” I said. “It’s just…I don’t know. I mostly said it to get him to leave me alone.”

“You met The One,” Elisabeth said. She smirked. “And I can’t wait for wedding bells!”

“Oh my god,” I groaned. “Enough! Out with you!” I playfully swatted her on the shoulder.

“Whatever you say,” Elisabeth said smugly. “Whatever you say.”