The Valentine Affair by Chris Owen

Author:Chris Owen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pretty Muses Publishing
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

He did take the car the two and half blocks from one parking lot to another, telling himself that it was because he might get an emergency call, and not that he drove because it was really cold. At some point, usually in January, the numbers on the thermometer lost meaning and ‘really cold’ became all that mattered. From the second parking lot of the evening he walked the half block to Walker Edulis, muttering under his breath the whole way about how it was a stupid idea and if he wasn’t hungry he would have driven right home and called his mother instead of succumbing to Del’s insane plan of appearing available to a cute entrepreneur who could apparently mix a mean cocktail.

“And furthermore,” he said to himself as he pulled open the door to the restaurant, “this is a stupid idea.”

Warmth immediately surrounded him; two large portable heaters aimed at the door taking the sting out of the weather as well as protecting the customers inside from the inevitable icy blast as new people walked in.

The place was deep, going back a lot longer than it was wide. There were people at a few tables along one wall, and a long bar took up the other side, with places to sit and eat as well as for the bar staff to mix drinks. When Freeman walked in no one turned to look at him other than the man behind the bar.

“Hey, I know you!” Hap was putting plates in front of a couple seated at the bar, and he told them to enjoy their meal before he joined Freeman at the corner near the door. “Have a seat. It’s nice to see you.”

Freeman sat, right there at the end of the bar, far from the couple who were digging into tiny plates of treats. “You, too.” He tugged his gloves off and laid them on the bar. He didn’t want to shove them in his pockets this time, it seemed too casual. “I was in the neighborhood and thought it might not be too busy on a Wednesday.” He was such a liar. But Hap’s greeting had been flatteringly enthusiastic.

“I’m glad you stopped in.” Hap was smiling at him, his hands flat on the bar, his weight forward. He had on a t-shirt under an open shirt, but both were covered by a tidy apron with Edulis embroidered on it in a fancy script. “Are you hungry?”

Luckily, he was. “A little.” Freeman glanced around. “Everyone seems to be happy—what’s the popular thing on the menu tonight?”

Hap laughed and backed up a step or two, pointing at him. “No, no. I promised you special. First up, do you want a drink? Cocktail or wine, spirit or beer?”

He winced. “I just had a beer and a half and need to drive soon.”

“Not a problem.” Hap was already pulling bottles from the shelf behind him. “What’s your pleasure? Are you a gin guy? Vodka? Bourbon?” Glass clinked as Hap lined up liquors and juice, simple syrup and what appeared to be egg whites.

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