The three losers weren’t losers at all. They laughed and joked among one another, not looking at all disappointed about missing out on the chance to get better acquainted with Jenny.
It bugged me that I found myself remotely interested and watching their reactions. Ethan wasn’t for me. None of them were. Why should I care about the stupid date?
“We have signed merchandise, so you have a little reminder of all the men here tonight,” Gill told Jenny and the audience as part of her closing remarks.
“Well then,” Gill announced. “That’s the end of this week’s dating game show. Feel free to refresh your drinks, and the kitchen is still open for food orders. If you’ve enjoyed this Blind Date, let us know, and we might do it again. We have a big mix of mid-week entertainment at the Ugly Duckling; you can find full details on our website or ask me about them in person. I’m Gill, the manager here, and I hope I’ll see you again. Goodnight.”
It seemed so odd that our little bar had its own website, but free Wi-Fi and a web presence were the way of the future.
It was back to the kitchen for me, but three men’s exit from the stage had brought them right into my path.
Tyler Reed, flanked by Jake and Lewis Rollins.
Their massive frames together loomed like a wall blocking my route to the kitchen.
All of them looked down at me. Jeez, the guys were tall. Much taller than they’d seemed when they were sitting down. Almost giants.
“Uh, may I help you?”
They gave me that look of theirs—that hungry, predatory stare.
“If you want to place an order, you should do it through the bartender. I don’t take orders directly.”
I absolutely, positively knew onion rings weren’t rolling through their minds. These guys weren’t that kind of hungry.
“Hey there, babe,” Tyler said, stepping forward and invading my personal space. “Let me tell you right off, I don’t have a hankering for mozzarella sticks.”
Jake went to the other side of me. “You work here? I would have never taken you for uh... what’s the word. Barmaid?” He frowned. “Sounds like someone serving kegs of frothy beer after we’ve killed orcs and dragons.”
“I think that’d be a bar wench, bro,” Lewis suggested, and he joined the others in stepping forward and getting dangerously close to me.
“Excuse me,” I said, developing a jolt of courage I needed to get by and push past them. “I’m not a barmaid, or a bar wench, or even the term you’re looking for, which would be waitress or server. I’m the cook, and I gotta get back to my burners.”
“Wow,” Tyler said, sliding back in my way again. “You’re this fucking hot, and you can cook too? I should just propose to you right on the spot.”
“Uh...” I stared at him briefly. Not out of shock at the sheer audacity of this man, but the fact of him saying I was hot and marriage material.
What the fuck was wrong with me even listening to such nonsense and letting it register in my brain?
“Hey, guys,” Lewis said. “The girl has a job to do. We should respect that and let her get on with it.”
I took a couple of steps forward, passing between them to get to the kitchen.
“Yeah, yeah.” Jake elbowed his brother. “We ask her when she gets off, and then we swarm her, swamping her with our affections when she’s not on the clock.”
“But I want her now,” Tyler said in a way that reminded me of a sulking, spoiled child but more endearing somehow.
“You wanna ask the lady her name, first Ty?” Lewis suggested
Having barely taken a few steps, I swiveled on my heels. “And I’m standing right here where I can hear you. So don’t talk about me as if I’m not.”
“I’m Lewis.” He took a step closer, which was a step too close and unnecessary. “My bro and I would love to know your name.”
I didn’t have to answer because, at that point, another giant stepped up to the group. “The hell are you guys doing? Are you harassing the staff? Three on one? Not cool, guys.”
It was the man who sat in the booth to eat with them earlier. The one who didn’t get up on the stage, although he also looked like a fit, smoking-hot football player. Perhaps he already had a girlfriend.
He turned his attention to me. “Sorry, miss, these men are... really just boys sometimes. I’m sure they meant no harm.”
“It’s okay; I’ve heard worse.” I worked in a bar. Of course, I’d seen and heard much worse. And I didn’t want to let on that I felt flattered by their weird brand of attention.
“We ain’t doing anything too bad, are we?” Jake patted me on the shoulder before adding, “Let’s give the lady her space.”