Part 25 (2/2)
”Me, too,” Kate says.
”Me, three,” Martine adds distractedly, looking across the bar. ”Who's that?” She has spotted a guy sitting alone who would be almost pretty if it weren't for the multiple piercings, tattoos, and what looks to be a very bad att.i.tude.
”Not sure. He's new.”
Kate follows her gaze. ”Oh, puh-leeze... .”
Martine doesn't look back. ”What? He's gorgeous.”
”Yeah. If you like guys who eat gla.s.s for breakfast.”
But Martine is already heading toward him. Over her shoulder she shouts, ”That's perfect. Yvette, send me a Jack and c.o.ke over there, and whatever he's drinking.”
Kate shouts back, ”How about the blood of freshly killed nuns?”
Martine flips her off and sidles up to the guy as Yvette says, ”Haven't seen you for a while, Kate.”
”Yeah, I've been working nights. I f.u.c.king hate it.”
”Tell me about it. At least your customers aren't drunk guys with wandering hands.”
”No. Much worse. They're OLD. 'Miss? These eggs ... they're too runny, they're not runny enough, my nose is runny, could you blow it for me?' On a good day they smell like stale socks. G.o.d help me, I hope I never get that old. Would you pour me a margarita?”
”Double?”
Kate nods. ”I just might get s.h.i.+t-faced tonight.”
As Yvette goes to pour the drink Kate is grabbed from behind, lifted up, and kissed ferociously on the neck. It's Kenny, one of the regulars at the bar and a nighttime pal of Kate's. In his twenties, he's chubby, and wears gla.s.ses and a baseball cap that says FOG on it.
”Christ, Kenny! Put me down! I just ate!”
”Me, too!” He sets her down and Kate turns around and hugs him.
”I love your chubby tummy.”
”Hey, I'm on a diet.”
”You are?”
”Yep. I'm working my way down to obesity!”
Kate laughs.
The DJ puts on ”Hot For Teacher” by Van Halen, which sends the bar into a tizzy. This is a Burgundy favorite. Everyone cheers and sings along. Yvette hands Kate her drink, which she gulps down before singing along with the crowd. The bar top gets doused with lighter fluid and set on fire. Everyone goes nuts... .
<script>