Page 22 of Of Course, Cutie

Bea laughed out loud. “Oh my god, that is exactly what Charlie said to me before I came here tonight.”

I smiled. Of course Charlie said that. She understood life better than people three times her age. Bea interrupted my thoughts of her little sister and said, “Can I get another drink now, please?”

“Yep. I’ll be right back with that.”

When I returned, Bea had another question on her lips. I could tell from the way she frowned and stared me down. “Okay, so I get my ass out of bed for Sophia. I’ll do it. Done. But how do I deal with being so wrong about such a big thing? I was flat out wrong about Jack! And I married him! How can I trust myself to make a good decision ever again?”

“Every time you’re wrong, you get a little wiser. Then you’re that much closer to being right.”

Bea blinked and sniffled. “Yeah. Yeah, I like that.” She pointed at me. “That’s good. I like that. Thanks, Burke.”

“No problem.” I smiled and turned away to help more customers. Bartending was tiring, especially on busy nights, but it was a walk in the park compared to Alaska.

A tall brunette woman with dark lipstick waved me over. She’d been smiling at me all night. When I reached her, she pressed a business card into my hand. “If you’re single, call me when you get off.” She winked at me and sauntered away. I should have at least considered her offer. She was attractive, but all I could think about was Charlie stealing the phone numbers I’d collected and stowing them in her notebook. I could only think of Charlie’s cute little smile.

I shook off the thoughts and glanced back down the bar at Bea. Her third drink was empty, and she was sobbing on a man’s shoulder. He glanced around the bar and awkwardly patted her back. I stifled a laugh and brought her another water.

“Oh! Thank you!” Bea sat up, and the man made his escape. “Well, damn!” She threw her hands up in the air and watched him go. “Guess I was boring him! Asshole!”

I laughed. “If you’re trying to pick up a guy at a bar, I would suggest not crying next time.”

Bea gulped her water and rolled her eyes. “Right. My mistake for having feelings! I forgot that men don’t like that!”

I rubbed my beard and tried not to laugh at her again. “Men are fine with feelings. You just need to give them a chance to get to know you first.”

“Got it. Got it.” Bea nodded and rested her chin in her hands. “I should be writing this stuff down, I think. Do you have a pen? Also, can I have another drink?”

“Okay, Bea, one more drink, but you have to finish that water first.”

“Yes! Good idea!”

When I brought her final drink, Bea had more to say. “My little brother is getting married in like four months.”

“That’s what I hear.”

“He looks so stupidly happy, and I’m realizing now, Jack never looked at me the way my little brother looks at Sienna!” Her face crumpled, and she started wailing. “No one is ever going to love me!”

Shit, woman.

“Hey, now.” I reached out to pat her hand. “You’ll get back on your feet.”

Bea sniffled, and I handed her a napkin. “You think so?” She blotted at her tears.

“Of course.”

Evan walked over and rested his hand on Bea’s shoulder. “Sorry, Bea, I meant to check on you sooner, but I got hung up. How are you doing?”

“Evan! Hey baby brother!” Bea slurred and leaned into him. Then she pointed at me. “Burke’s so nice, Evan. He’s so great. You should pay him more because he’s an excellent bartender and therapist.” She giggled into her hand and then finished off her fourth vodka cranberry.

Evan laughed and glanced over at me. “Yeah, Burke’s great. That’s why I hired him. You, uh, you doing all right, Bea? How many drinks have you had?” He exchanged a look with me and motioned that I should cut her off.

Bea giggled again. “I don’t know! Like a hundred!”

I smiled and shook my head. “Four. She’s had four and two glasses of water.”

Evan nodded at me and mouthed, “Thank you.” He sank onto the stool next to his older sister and attempted to engage her in conversation. I immediately noticed how different he was with Bea compared to Charlie. He hardly touched his older sister when all he had was hugs for his younger one. His conversation with Bea seemed stiff and forced, even though she was drunk off her ass. But Charlie and Evan teased and laughed like loving siblings.

Yep. Cutie was fucking special. Evan knew it, too. The whole damn world knew it.