A Twist of Christmas Fate by Scarlett Knight

Author:Scarlett Knight [Knight, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Painted Hearts Publishing
Published: 2018-12-02T07:00:00+00:00

***

Lucky for me, the sign was working, sort of. In place of words, a neon pink glowing skull flickered in the night. If it hadn’t been there, and if I hadn’t known the name of the bar, I would’ve passed it by for sure. When I parked and walked down the stairs to the entrance, I could hear a familiar Christmas tune done in heavy metal style. I opened the rickety door, and a tall, muscular guy tattooed up to his neck asked to see my ID. I showed it to him, smiling at his Santa hat, which was almost too small for his bald head.

Mickey was waiting for me at one of the tall tables near the entrance. She waved me over, and I took in the alternative crowd as I made my way to her. Many of the patrons had tattoos, piercings, and hair dyed a rainbow of colors. I probably could have worn the Mrs. Claus outfit, and nobody would have cared. Everyone seemed to be relaxed and happy and having a good time.

“What would you like to drink?” Mickey asked when I sat down. “It’s my treat.”

“I’ll take a glass of red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon if you have it. If not, whatever red you have.”

“I’ll check.”

She slid out of her chair and headed to the bar. I took the opportunity to look around some more. The place was dimly lit, but strings of Christmas lights gave it a holiday vibe. There was a skeleton motif, some of it Day of the Dead sugar skull art on the walls and shelves. There was a full-size skeleton in the corner decorated with a Santa hat, tinsel, and a wreath. A skeleton Mona Lisa hung above the bar. Several fully occupied black leather sofas were arranged around a big fake fireplace. A few people stood in the corner playing pool. I watched as a woman put a coin in a brightly lit jukebox, and a techno version of “Jingle Bells” began playing. Though this was certainly a different sort of place for me, I liked it. It was unique, like Mickey.

Returning with my drink, she placed a jar of olives between us and said, “We don’t have a kitchen, so this is about the best I can do for food.”

“I love green olives,” I said, taking a toothpick from her. “I’m stuffed from all the junk food I ate this afternoon, so this is perfect.”

“Great!” She raised her wineglass, and I did the same. Her sleeve fell back, revealing a little rainbow tattoo on her wrist. “To new friends.”

“To new friends,” I said, tapping my glass against hers.

Her eyes never left mine as we took a sip. I felt a warmth rush though me that was not totally attributed to the wine.

“I like your tattoo,” I said.

“Thanks!” She offered me her wrist so I could get a closer look. “I have a few more, but I can’t show them in here.”

My imagination started to go wild.

“Do you have any?” she asked.

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