Snow Cover

Chapter 19 Bar Customer

Colby's POV

That was the turn I never expected to happen tonight. It was just a regular shift, not having much to do because the dinner rush hasn't hit yet, so I'm getting some of my sidework done just to have my full attention grabbed by a distractingly gorgeous woman. She was walking into this bar, looking completely out of place but fitting in with our conversation as if she has been here a million of times before, but I would remember if she came around.

Right? Or at least I would like to think so, but I do see many different people in this business, especially since most are only here for a couple of days and not much more. Besides, with what she was talking about before, being scared of something new but wanting it as well, which tells me she has never been here before either.. But the conversation and ideals that she has I seem to get because I have felt the same way for a while. I guess for strangers, we are not that different, which is nice.

But I can't get too excited about this at all, since that would be getting my hopes up.. I have to remember that. I tend to get sad when I see someone I naturally connect with, because I know that I shouldn't get attached since they will be leaving soon and probably have no interest in me whatsoever. But that's ok.. That's my life thus far and I have learned to understand it after many years of hurt. So I will continue to learn until I find someone around here that wants me like I want them, I guess. But I know everyone around here and there is not many at all I would go for, so I guess that means I will be alone for the time being.

I walk away from her, checking the kitchen for her order because it should be out anytime soon, and as I suspected it's being scooted across the counter and under the heat lamp as we speak. I grab my ticket and the food, heading out to give it to her and hopefully, she likes these as much as I do. I got back into the bar area, seeing the excitement in her eyes as I put the plate down in front of her. Before I can even grab her some silverware or napkins, she is eating the wedges that are covered in the queso cheese, meat and veggies.

"Mmmm.. these are so... terrible.. absolutely terrible.. But for you, I will bare through this as much as I can." She playfully smiles at me as she wiggles in a type of dance as she eats, causing me to laugh. "Well, I would hate to disappoint you, so if you hate it so much then I will get you something else." I state pulling the plate away as she gasps in shock, shaking her head as she pulls it back. "No way.. it's terrible but in a good way.. terribly good.. and there is no way I am letting you take it away.. But.. I will be nice enough to let you have some if you want to share, because I didn't realize this was going to be so big, and I don't know if I can finish it all." She states in this songbird-like voice that sings to me with everything she says.

I smile at her while taking one wedge out as I take a bite of it, but this doesn't satisfy her. "Come on, really? You know you want more than that, take an actual bite." She declares as I nod then grabbing a couple more. "So.... wait.. I'm sorry I didn't get your name." She says to me as I finish chewing then swallowing before I declare. "Colby.. My name is Colby." I extend my hand as she does the same to take it to shake. "Hey Colby.. I'm Julia.. It's nice to meet you." She says as I smile and nodded, taking another bite of the food offered. "Likewise."

"So.. Colby, how long have you worked here?" She asks me just starting the conversation again as I smile as say, "I have worked here as soon as I was allowed to have a job. I have lived in this town all of my life and have worked many jobs for this place but ended up bartending here around 6 years ago to try something new, and I like it a lot, so I stayed in this position." I declare as she stares over at me with an interest in her orbs that actually makes me feel interesting for once in my life. I don't feel like that often at all.

"Wow, that is so cool.. Living here in this beautiful place all of your life.. You must love it.. I know I would love being able to look out your window and see that Mountain View every single day. You're so lucky.. Does it cost a lot to live here? I have thought about moving here since the moment I crossed over the colorado state line.. Well, I was convinced by everything but the killings happening. " She states with so much excitement that I could match it if she decided to move here.

"Yeah, the tragedies that have been happening in this state are something else.. I have never seen anything like it, but if it makes you feel any better, it hasn't happened here.. and on the other parts of the conversation that you inquired about.. Well, it's a little expensive here, but everyone is understanding and works together to keep this little town going one way or another. But how would your boyfriend feel if you moved over here and away from him?" I find myself wanting to know how serious this really is by testing what she says about him when I call him a boyfriend.

"He is not my boyfriend.. Just a man I have been on dates with.. and looking to see if it could evolve into something more... but who really knows if that will even happen, since he hasn't even asked for the label of being together and insists on practically hiding me because he wants me to just stay in the room all night. But.. on the other hand, knowing the crimes haven't happened here has honestly made me feel better.. so thanks." She says starting with an irritation, then ending in relief.

That is before I nonchalantly declare the possible logic behind his actions that are obviously irritating her. "Maybe he is trying to hide you, maybe for your safety.. I mean you're right in the same category as the other women involved with this killer. Because even though it hasn't happened here, doesn't mean it won't happen.. If this guy doesn't get caught, then we might be next on the list for destinations. who really knows?" She looks up at me with worry and confusion in her eyes as they trail off thinking about what I just said. But that makes me feel bad about even saying that, because I have put worries into her head that were never there. I should have kept that to myself. I'm an i***t.

"Wait.. why would you say 'guy'? I thought they hadn't found the person or that they didn't even know if it was a man or a woman." She inquires as I think about it for a moment. "I thought for sure that they said it was a man, but maybe I am wrong about that.. Who knows then.. But don't think too much into it. I'm sorry for even worrying you about this.. That wasn't my intent, I was just trying to say that maybe your.. date, is acting this way to protect you" I say trying to play it off while hating how much I am defending this guy right now, when I completely and utterly find his woman attractive.

"Maybe you're right." She mumbles before grabbing a wedge from her plate and starting the feast once again. I watch as she nods then continuing to eat the food, which luckily, helps to distract her and make her happy once again, because I know that I didn't help by worrying her for no reason. I mean there is a reason, but none for her to worry about. I just hope she forgets that I ever said a thing and continue to have a good time.

In that instant I notice that her mood has gone back to where it was at as she moans with every bite she takes accompanied by a shimmy shake to indicate how good each bite is, and to say I love it is a complete understatement. I would buy her or cook her a million things that she loves to eat just to see that reaction every time.

"So.. Julia, what do you like to do for fun?" I ask with probably way too much excitement for my liking since I'm trying to play things as a cool and collected man. But I can't take that back now, so I will just have to hope she didn't notice, while pretending it didn't even happen. "Oh, well, I love to read and play games." She says surprising me completely because that's exactly what I love to do. "Really? Me too." She smiles big as she states. "So you're a nerdy person like me?" I sheepishly nod as I rub the back of my neck.

"That depends on if you're going to make fun of me or not, for admitting that's what I am." I state as she giggles then shakes her head. "I wouldn't do that.. But now to really getting into your nerdiness, what kind of games do you like?" she asks even more humorously than before causing me to smile as I plainly state. "Almost anything with open world." I declare as she bounces in her seat. "Me too!"

In that moment I can feel my smile emerging into a face splitting one. "Well isn't that nice. Someone I actually have something in common with.. What a pleasant surprise.. I never would have expected that when I started my shift tonight." I declare as she smiles even bigger. "Me neither." she shyly looks away back to her food as she continues to much as I can not take the smile off my face at this rate.

It seems like the hours have just flown by effortlessly. People have come and gone, but she has stayed the entire time talking to me as if I am the only person in the room. She makes me feel not so weird about what I like and have fun doing. This has been the best night I have had in a very long time and that is hard for me to say, since I am at work. But the dinner rush has passed us by without too much effort on my part since it wasn't as busy as I was hoping because I needed to make some money. But spending time with her, talking the night away has made the money loss worth it, so I will take what I can get from this night.

"Is there anything else I can get for you? You seem to be slowing down on the drinks and food." I say with a tinge of sadness riddled between my words, not wanting this night to end, but knowing it will have to at some point. "No, I am perfect." She states with a smile that seems to be getting bigger by the minute. "I know." I say not even thinking but when I realize what I just said I look up to see that she instantly gets confused, before I clear my throat and start cleaning a couple more glasses to distract myself from looking at her judgment.

"I do want to say that I have had a lot of fun hanging out in here with you.. and I appreciate you helping me to not feel so alone, especially since, for a while, I was alone." She says as I smile and nod, nervously looking away. "But I probably do need to get my check.. I have something else I would like to take care of before I have to go back to the room, if that's ok?" she asks as I get sad again thinking about her leaving but I really have no choice in the matter, so I will just give her what she wants.