Can’t Fight Love

Chapter 15

I walk into the small golf shop and my heat is fluttering and stomach butterflies are crazy. I feel like a teenage girl and remind myself to cool it. What is this? Am I catching some kind of feelings? Xavier was just so hot, and attentive, and aggressive... and passionate. When his lips pressed mine, it set a fire inside me. 

Tuesday night at the golf course was the Lady’s League. I didn’t change out of my “work uniform” from the first course because tonight, my amazing cosmo making abilities would make the money, not the amount of skin I show. 

As I smile to myself, setting up the bar, the first group of women golfers comes in and I’m excited to see Mrs. DeLuna. She’s my favorite member, witty, stunningly beautiful, smart, social and elegant all at once. She saunters up to the bar, patting a white napkin on her tanned neck. Her coral visor kept her dark curls up and she smiled a pearly white grin. 

Mrs. DeLuna was from Brazil, and her accent made her that more alluring, “Well hello to my favorite bartender,” she beamed as I began to make her favorite cocktail, “did I ever tell you,” she began a story as if it didn’t mean much, “I live on a lake?” My heart stopped and I paused for a moment, than continued to mix the drink,

“That must be a beautiful view,” I replied cautiously. 

Mrs. DeLuna let out a musical chuckle, “it is!” I finished her drink and slid the glass to her, meeting her eyes, “and do you know who my neighbor is?” She c****d an eyebrow. I shrugged my shoulders in response like I didn’t know, but I knew what she was about to say, “Xavier Balmacentura,” and she took a sip of her cocktail, “I couldn’t help but notice a certain bartender’s car parked in his driveway recently...”

I stared at her. I wasn’t sure where she was going with this. I’m an adult. I’ll f**k who I want. But can I say that to a member?? 

“Get that fine piece of ass,” she winked and turned. I couldn’t help but laugh. 

I grabbed my phone and texted Xavier: so, Mrs DeLuna is your neighbor?

As I put my phone down, a voice called to me, and my stomach sank. 

It was John. “Hey, Victoria,” he smiled crookedly looking me up and down. “You’re looking very proper today.”

Eww. I can’t believe I slept with him. 

“Thanks?” I roll my eyes and grab a Bud light for him. 

“Thanks,” he smiles, “so I was thinking..”

But before he could finish I interrupted him, “no.”

“But-“ he began but I cut him off again. 

“No!” I said more sternly and caught Will’s attention. 

“Is everything alright?” Will asked with a faulty smile. 

“Perfect,” I reply. 

“Perfect,” John says, and he walks away.  

My phone buzzes and I smile. It’s Xavier. 

“I wonder who that could be,” Will chuckles as he walks away. 

X: Is there a problem? 

Me: I just didn’t realize...

X: what?

What didn’t I realize? What wasn’t I prepared for? Since I got divorced, there he been no other men occupying my life more than a night. Here I was days in a row, and everyone is watching. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. 

Me: nvm 

I decided this was a conversation that needed to be face to face. I liked Xavier, but I’m in no space to be in a relationship. I had two more weeks until my daughters returned, then who knows what would happen? I don’t need the mess of some guy trying to get all my time. 

By the time 8:30 came, my bar was cleaned up and I was ready to leave. 

“I’m a rush to get out of here?” I hear John’s voice and I look up at him. He’s smiling devilishly and my stomach starts to turn. 

“Maybe,” I say void of emotion. 

“Wanna take a quick ride to my office?” He smiles sickly and I want to vomit. I want to yell. I want to tell this guys fiancée that he’s trash.

“Not a chance,” and I smile sweetly as I’m locking all the closets and cabinets. 

“Going to Xavier’s?” He asks as he chuckles. 

“I’m trying to remember why that became any of your business...” I look dead at him and place my hands on my hips. 

“Well he’s a friend,” John leans on to the bar that I just wiped.

“And?” I ask as I shoo him off to rewipe the bar. 

“Well,” he takes a deep breath and before he could continue with whatever bullshit was about to come out of his mouth, I cut him off.

“Look at the time,” I smiled, “I’m closed.”

“You could say that,” and raised his eyebrows. 

As he turns and walks away, I holler, “Goodnight Mr. McIntosh!” 

What. The. f**k. I understand this is a small town, and they have nothing better to gossip about, but I don’t need to be a part of it. I couldn’t figure out why I was so angry. First, Mrs. DeLuna now John. I felt like my privacy has been invaded. I shut my car door and I drive to Xavier’s house. 

I somehow manage to pull into the stupid driveway without any issues and throw my car in park  how dare these people approach me about my private life. I march towards the house, my misplaced anger taking charge, and I hear Bogey barking. 

I swing open the door, and as much as I was angry, it all f*****g vanished. Xavier was standing in the kitchen as I walked in, putting some Chinese food, on a plate. I saw two drinks, looked like my favorite Tito’s and Cran. His white button up is undone at the top and his sleeves are rolled up, and his perfect blue tailored pants fit his ass perfectly. God he was hot as f**k. 

Xavier beamed at next when I walked in, “hey pretty lady,” he began, “ I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got everything.” He chuckled, and I totally forgot about why I was mad. I was mesmerized by the sight, “I only just got home...” and he stared at me. I hadn’t even had time to say anything, “is everything ok?” He tilted his head to the side. 

I took a deep breath, “we need to talk.”