ACROSS THE BAR

Romance Flash Fiction

(500 words)

I look across the bar, watching her approach him.

I’d been stealing glances at him all evening. The suit, the scruffy yet somehow styled brown hair. The fact he towered over the others in his group. I’ve always been a sucker for tall men. I’m usually pretty good about avoiding someone I know will be trouble, but if they make me have to look up at them, something just... happens to me.

Amanda slides up next to him. It’s not surprising he notices her. That red hair stands out in any crowd, and she’s always known how to use it. Her smile is the clincher, though. That smile has got the two of us out of - and into - more trouble than I can remember.

As I watch, she introduces herself and points over at me. I feel my face burn as he follows her finger and looks over. I sip my drink, trying to nod my head mysteriously. I’d already arranged myself, dress pulled up slightly to show off crossed legs. He smiles, continuing to look as Amanda whispers in his ear.

What’s she saying? I thought I’d been subtle in my spying. I had no plans on picking up anyone today. But as soon as she’d noticed my interest, she’d laughed and walked straight over. I just wanted a drink with a friend tonight. In hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have picked Amanda.

He laughs, looking over at me again with a look in his eyes that burns through me. That predatory look of someone realising you want to be caught.

Maybe Amanda was the right person to bring along tonight after all.

I watch as they continue to chat. Her hand is on his arm. The bar is busy, but there’s no need for them to be that close. I feel a stab of jealousy at her ability to just walk up to someone and get their attention like that. It can’t just be the hair and the smile. I’m not exactly unsuccessful at dating, but she has some secret that ensnared both men and women.

With anyone else, I’d worry she was trying to steal him. If you can “steal” someone when all I’d done was stare across the bar, but he keeps looking at me and smiling.

What is she telling him?

Finally, they get their drinks. Oh god, he has two in his hand and is coming this way. Amanda follows, that curved smile on her face. Her eyes find mine. She has plans.

This was not how I was planning tonight to go.

He walks up to the table and smiles. Oh god, he must be about 6’5”. I try not to shift as blood flows to my crotch, and I realise I’m biting my lip as I look into those deep brown eyes.

Come on, Anna. He has to be about five years younger than you.

“Anna, this is Phil. I’ve been telling him all about you.”

She slides into the booth, pulling me closer to her to give him space to join us. As he hands me my drink, Amanda drapes her arm around my shoulders, leaning close and slowly kissing me on the cheek, holding his eyes with hers the whole time.

Across The Bar Thomas Brand “I thought he might want to... join us.” She purrs in my ear.