Snow Cover

Chapter 18 Drinking Company

Julia's POV

I turn away trying to put my attention on something else. I look at the old little TV hooked up to the corner of the walls, it's playing Pick of Destiny. It's a movie that I haven't watched in a long time, but I don't have to because I have watched it so many times I have it memorized. I smile watching the screen as I see one of my favorite scenes emerging. I sing the words to myself before I hear. "To love this movie you're either a pot head, or just have good taste with classics." I look over as my eyes lock with the bartenders as he cleans out a glass wiping down every inch of glass.

"Why can't I be both? Or if I may add. Just a woman who loves Jack Black." I state as he smiles over at me, setting the glass on the shelf next to the other cleaned glasses. "Ok.. Mrs. fan of Jack Black.. What may I get for you to drink?" I smile as I fully turn away from the movie to face him, before replying. "Liquid M*rijuana.. please." I ask as I watch his eyebrows meet while his head slightly shakes. "I dont.." he starts as I smile before pitting my hand up to stop him. "It's ok.. I do.. It's equal parts blue curacao, melon liquor, spiced rum, and coconut rum, topped off with sweet n' sour, and pineapple juice... If you have all of those ingredients then I would greatly appreciate the drink, please and thank you."

He nods at me with his eyes still locked on my frame. "So you're either a bartender or you have a drinking problem little lady." He humorously states this while mixing the recipe that I voiced to him pretty quickly. Faster than I expected actually, especially since he obviously has never made it before. "Why not both?" I state just as playfully causing the both of us to smile big and chuckle at the same time. "I'm a bartender." I explain as he nods at me while throwing the shaker up between his hands but beside his face. Shaking it vigorously while continuing to make direct eye contact, causing his arms to flex with every movement made.

I feel slightly bad about it since I am here with John, but I can't help that my eyes are locked on him loving the invigorating sight that I know I shouldn't, but all the while being a bartender, so that I can appreciate the technique put into something like making a drink. This man is definitely my type with the dark hair and bright eyes, playful with conversation and has gotten my jokes so far when it has always been a hit or a miss when it comes to John. But I shouldn't be comparing at all. I need to stop that, because it's not fair to my date that cannot defend himself in this moment.

He stops the shaking before straining it into a glass filled with ice, dripping the bright felt-green colored liquid over the ice and filling the entire glass. I observe as he slides it across the counter over to me. I accept it before plopping the straw into it just to take a sip and testing a perfectly made drink. "Mmm.. perfectly made, thank you so much.. You maybe.. wanna try?" I ask him as he shakes his head. "I don't do drinks like that." he states as I instantly mock that comment. "I'm a man, I don't try new things, especially perfectly made fruity drinks. Why would I want to enjoy a drink when I can have a bitter beer to look manly."

He chuckles at that comment before taking a straw out, ripping the paper that wraps around it and pushing the bottom of it between the cubes of ice. He takes a drink, sucking some of the liquid through as I watch his eyebrows raise. He pulls the straw out to throw it away. "Good, right?" I ask as he hums out. "It's delightful.. Not what I would go out of my way to buy, but if given to me, I know I couldn't turn it down. If you don't mind, then this might be something I can surprise some of the customers with to upsell." He states as I smile and nod. "Knew you would like it.. and of course you're more than welcome to sell this to as many people as you would like, because I'm sure this drink could make you lots of money since I know from experience because I have made lots from it."

He smiles then vigorously nods his head, thinking about that as I continue to take one drink after the next. "So what brings you to our little town? You don't look like the skiing or boarding type." He states, staring over at me with his muscled arms crossing across his chest as he leans back against the bar. "Well, that's because I'm not.. This was just something spontaneous since I was invited at the last minute." I explain my situation slightly, causing him to think about that as he nods. "I wish I had the guts to just get up and go some place new like that.. It sounds fun.. I bet you'll have a great time."

I laugh at that comment as I say, "If you can keep a secret.. I'm actually terrified because a part of me wanted to cancel, since I never do anything like this. But I forced myself to come." he looks confused as he automatically asks, "Then why did you come?" I clear my throat. "Honestly?" I ask as he nods taking a step closer, as if he is actually intrigued to know my thoughts. "Well, I was tired of being alone and scared all the time of what I wanted in life, but too afraid to take it.. So I decided to take life by the horns by accepting an unexpected opportunity that has been thrown at me and, for once, try something new." I explain further to him as I watch him nod and smile.

"Well, you seem brave.. Good for you.. So you're here with friends or something?" he asks as I shake my head. "Or something is more like it.. I'm here with this guy.. I have been kinda seeing." I say to him shyly as he replies. "A boyfriend." I shake my head. "No.. Um I have only been out with him a handful of times and we haven't taken the step at all to make any type of commitment to one another, especially when it comes to labels of the sort.. Funny thing, I actually thought that's what he was going to ask when he instead invited me here." I declare as he nods.

"He never even asked you to be with him but invited you here? That seems confusing to me. I think he is getting the steps wrong. But maybe he is thinking of this step as going in that direction.. Who knows.. But if he is bringing you here when you have only been out with him a small amount of times, that either means he likes you a lot or he kidnapped you.. Are you sure you're on a date right now? Maybe you just escaped and just loopy from the drugs he put you on." he states as I scoff at that before wiggling at his joke.

"He is not kidnapping me. He is very.. well.. mostly nice.. and has been generous to bring me here.. No one else has wanted to take me out like this, so why not let him kidnap me if he is bringing me to a place like this. He is the only man who seems to be interested in me and I don't want to be alone forever, and I want to try something new.. So I'm here seeing if any of this will go somewhere." I explain this to him with a determination in my tone as he nods. "I guess I get that. Just be careful.. But I guarantee that he is not the only man interested." he states as I glance over at him before taking a sip of my drink.

"Well maybe not.. But.. He is the only one wanting more than just a booty call because I'm not that kind of girl." I state as his eyebrows raise. "I still stick with the same answer. I bet there are many men interested and not just looking for a booty call.. You just haven't looked in the right places because I don't know why someone wouldn't be interested in you. I would imagine there would be a line out the door. Youre a nice, funny and brave woman who is gorgeous to boot.. what's not to like?" he states as I smirk and shyly look away, feeling my head heat up because I wasn't expecting that at all.

I am nervous about talking with this stranger, but he somehow has a comforting tone to him that makes me feel like he means well as he is being incredibly and unexpectedly nice to me. I knew he was going to be nice to a point since this is his job, but he is being much more than that. He is being sweet and surprisingly understanding, relating to me on a different level, an emotional one. So this brings me comfort, but is still a stranger, so I can't in good consciousness tell him all the details about me and my relationship because that is not for him to know.

"So wait.. by that comment you make it sound like you haven't had s*x with him, but he still brought you to a ski resort? He must be in love." he says as I chuckle then shake my head. "No.. not even remotely.. Apparently, he just wanted some company while here on business." I explain a little further as he tilts his head looking over at me. "Then maybe he is trying to get just the booty call if he only wants company.. Or.. I'm right about the kidnapping thing.. he is here on 'business' and wants you for company." he states what I said back to me with sarcasm and suspiciousness as I chuckle, shaking my head.

"He invited me and I accepted.. That's all.. We will see if it goes somewhere else.. He is just not my type, so this is all strange.. but he can be fun at times and I have heard that sometimes opposites attract, so maybe this is one of those cases." I say as he stares over at me from across the bar. "So if he is interested enough in you to invite you here.. Then where is this guy?" He asks as I shake my head. "Not exactly sure where he is, but he is in some meeting and told me to stay in the room, but I couldn't stand sitting in there all alone so I figured I would come somewhere new and fun to hang out." I declare as he chuckles nodding while thinking about that.

He places both of his large hands on the barhop as he responds. "You wanted to go somewhere fun, and you chose here?" He declares as if I don't already know this. I start to giggle while nodding. "Yeah, but you have been making it fun so far so I'm not completely wrong.. Why? Are you suggesting I go somewhere else?" I say as he shakes his head before responding without hesitation. "No you can stay as long as you would like." I smile at him as our eyes lock once more, he clears his throat before reaching under the bar to hand me a menu. "Well, if you plan on staying and want something to munch on, we do have some good stuff."

"Some good stuff? Aren't you supposed to tell me that everything is amazing on the menu?" I ask playfully as he shrugs his shoulders. "Do you say that where you work?" I shake my head as I declare. "No I just state the stuff I like the best to make it look like those are amazing but not saying other things suck." I say between giggles as he shrugs his shoulders once again.

"Ok.. and that technique works for you?" he asks as I vigorously nod. "Ok then let me try.. Mrs. lovely ma'am, our cheese curds are to die for and so are the loaded wedges.. Everything else is good but doesn't compare to how great those snacks are." He declares causing me to burst out laughing. "That was beautifully said.. you have me convinced." I state causing him to laugh now while shaking his head. "You don't have to lie." I shake mine now while still smiling over at him. "I'm not lying I would love to try those loaded wedges please.. If you say it's amazing then I will take your word for it.. But if I don't like it you have to eat them for me." I say as he smiles then nods in my direction. "deal."

I watch as he puts the food order into the computer as my phone dings. I look down to see that I have a message from John which causes me to get nervous automatically. I wonder if he went back to the room and saw I wasn't there.. I wonder what he has to say. So I nervously open the message to read.

They said I have to be here for a while so they are ordering us dinner.. So order something to the room for yourself just so I can pay for it for you.

I roll my eyes thinking about how I would have been left alone for an even longer time if I hadn't come down here. I am annoyed with that, but I do realize that he needs to take care of these things, so I reply.

Ok, I'll get myself something to eat and drink.

I quickly put away my phone in a huff, feeling slightly neglected on what is supposed to be a memorable time on a vacation. How does he expect me to just relax and have a time to remember when he has ditched me for part of the first day? It's just hard but I'm trying.. and this bartender is helping to ease my mind while distracting me luckily. So hopefully, that will be enough for now to make this not a waste of time.. yet.