Page 19 of A Love Bite

He straightens up, looking a bit curious and a little nervous. “Of course, anything.”

I smile, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. “Would you like to go out with me sometime? I mean, outside of the bar. Maybe grab dinner or something?”

His eyes widen slightly in surprise, and then a broad smile spreads across his face. “I’d love that, Alex. Really, I would.”

The genuine happiness in his response makes my heart flutter. “Great. How about tomorrow night? There’s a little Italian place I’ve been wanting to try.”

“Sounds perfect,” he says, his voice warm and enthusiastic. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“Seven it is,” I reply, my smile matching his.

We spend the rest of the night talking about everything and nothing, the anticipation of our upcoming date adding an extra layer of excitement to our conversation. The connection between us feels even stronger now, and I’m eager to see where this new chapter will take us.

“So, how did you end up working here?” I ask, genuinely curious about his story.

Jake leans back against the bar, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “I grew up around here and always liked the sense of community. Luna’s Moon has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When the opportunity came up to work here, it just felt right.”

“I can see why. There’s a real sense of warmth and camaraderie here. It must be nice being a part of that.”

He smiles, and there’s a hint of pride in his expression. “It is, and it’s even better when you meet people like you.”

I feel a blush creep up my cheeks at his words, and I look down at my drink, trying to hide my smile. “You’re really good at making people feel welcome, Jake.”

“Thanks, Alex,” he says softly. “Considering my mishaps…”

“Just with me, huh?” I tease.

“Yep. I’m normally polished. A real pro.”

I laugh.

We continue talking about our lives, our interests, and our dreams. The hours seem to fly by, and before we know it, the bar is starting to close. The crowd has thinned out, and the remaining patrons are beginning to head home.

Lila comes over to us, a knowing smile on her face. “All right, lovebirds, it’s time to wrap it up. Closing time.”

Jake chuckles, looking slightly embarrassed but also pleased. “Thanks, Lila. We’ll get out of your hair.”

I stand up, feeling a little reluctant to leave but also excited about our plans for tomorrow. “Goodnight, Jake,” I say, giving him a warm smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Alex,” he replies, his eyes shining with happiness. “Looking forward to it.”

As I step out into the cool night air, I feel a mixture of excitement and contentment. Meeting Jake has been a bright spot in an otherwise tumultuous time, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. Tomorrow night promises to be the start of something wonderful, and I’m excited to see where this journey with Jake will lead.

With a smile on my face, I head home, my mind already buzzing with thoughts of our upcoming date. It’s been a long day, but it’s ending on a perfect note. And I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of something truly special.

17

Jake

As soon asthe door shuts behind Alex, I realize my mistake.

“Lover Boy, you do know you aren’t on cleanup duty, right?” Lila calls.

I wave. “Yeah. I’m outta here!” I quickly head out the door, hoping to catch her. “Alex, wait up!” I call out as I step into the cool night air.

She turns, a surprised but happy look on her face. “Jake! What’s going on?”

“I thought I’d walk you home,” I say, catching up to her. “If that’s okay with you.”