A Bar Tender Tale by Melanie Tushmore Page B

boss.”
    “What about me?” grumbled Stuart. “No hotties around for weeks, and Nathan goes and bags the hottest one I’ve seen for months when he’s only been single for one bleedin’
    day!”
    “There’s plenty more fish,” Mathew said absently, but he was already walking away to get on with his work.
    “And what about me ?” Justin gave Nathan his come-hither look again. “Let’s have a threesome. I’d love to do you both.”
    “Shut up.” Nathan shushed him with a light slap across the chest. Auryn had reappeared and was making his way back through the growing number of customers in the bar.
    Nathan noticed more than a couple of heads turn as he walked past, but either Auryn didn’t seem to notice or he was trying not to. Nathan began to really panic. What would Auryn do when one of those guys tried it on? Would he welcome it? What if he went off with someone better looking, or more suited to him? There were plenty of them about….
    Nathan could feel his hackles rise at the mere thought of it.
    “I’m going for a fag!” he announced, scrabbling for his cigarettes and lighter.
    “Hah!” Justin chuckled. “Which one?”
    Nathan ignored him and darted out from behind the bar. He grabbed Auryn’s hand and kept walking. “I’ve got a date with a Marlboro, and you’re coming with me!”
    “Oh right,” Auryn said easily and followed him outside.

    A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 105

    Nathan said a brief hello to the doormen, Lewis and Neil, who were both on shift now. The evening was cool but not too windy, which made a welcome change. Nathan was only in his T-shirt, as was Auryn, but he wasn’t worried about that for now. The only thing on his mind was him being with Auryn in full view of the bar through the glass windows. He wanted everyone to know that this man was off limits. Nathan led them into a quiet space and sparked up his cigarette. After his first drag he held out the packet, offering a cigarette to Auryn.
    “Oh.” He shook his head. “No, thank you.” Nathan regarded him carefully as he took a second drag.
    “I bet you don’t smoke, do you?”
    “Er, no.” Auryn smiled. “I used to, though.” Great, Nathan thought. He quickly flicked away his cigarette and blew out the last of his smoke.
    “You don’t have to stop,” Auryn tried to say, but Nathan had already ground the cigarette flat with his foot.
    “Don’t worry, I’m not that bothered.” Nathan forced a smile. “Although, I don’t have any gum. Sorry if I smell of smoke.”
    “Um, that’s all right. I like the smell. Actually, I miss it.” Nathan’s nervous smile transformed into a full-fledged grin. “Really? Oh my God!”
    “Yeah, I know.” Auryn looked away. “Sad, right?”
    “No, no.” Nathan attempted to keep a straight face. “Not at all. It’s just… well, why’d you give it up, then?” A Bar Tender Tale | Melanie Tushmore 106

    “I went on a bit of a health kick last year, thought I’d give the gym a go instead.”
    Perfect answer.
    “Yeah, I was gonna say.” Nathan reached out a hand and poked at one of the man’s robust upper arms. “You’d have to play a lot of computer games to get guns like that.” Auryn looked back at him and smiled. “If only that worked! That would be amazing. I like the gym though. It’s good for me, gets out the stress from work.”
    “Relieves the tension?”
    “That's right.”
    “Hmm.” Nathan’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I prefer a different sort of exercise… if you know what I mean.” After a moment of looking torn over how to respond, Auryn said, “I like you, Nathan… um, even if you do leave me a little lost for words sometimes.”
    Playing it cool had to battle with the butterflies in Nathan’s stomach fluttering with joy. He held it together and said evenly, “You’d better kiss me then.” Almost surprised, Nathan found himself wrapped up in the man’s arms and pulled against a warm, solid chest. He held on tight and