Isabelle
I was relieved that Sterling didn't follow me out of the office. That one kiss was already too far. If I had let it go on who knows what would have happened. We had never even gotten that far when we were actually together. We had talked about it but it never happened as I was too nervous.
Too much had happened in the last four years for me to just let him have his way with me now. I may have wanted it just as bad as he did but that was beside the point. He was a taken man. Happy or not I didn't care, it was still wrong.
I walked for a little while until I came across the bar Killian and I had gone to. Heaven knows I could use a drink right now. At this point I would do anything that would help push the feelings that were coming to the surface away. Anything that would help me forget that moment we had just shared together.
I opened the door to the bar and headed for the counter. I took a seat at the stool and waited for the bartender to come over. It didn't take her long to head my way as the bar was mainly empty. I recognized her as the bartender who had served us when Killian brought me here.
"Hey." She gave me a smile that fell once she looked me over. "You look tense. Long day?"
"You have no idea." I sighed.
"Take it the ex who's your boss is being problematic?" She raised a brow as she gave her guess.
"Yeah." I responded.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked.
"I really don't want to have to throw my problems on you." I figured she was probably just trying to make conversation for a tip. I wasn't going to force her to listen to all my issues that are currently going on.
She let out a small chuckle. "I don't mind. Let's be honest, being a bartender is like being a therapist. I just didn't have to go to school to get a degree." She then leaned in closer. "It also means I can share the juicy details I get."
"Like what?" She definitely had my attention now.
She used her head to motion to a guy sitting in the corner with a bottle of whiskey. He looked like he was clearly going through something. Whatever it was had to be rough because the bottle was almost gone and it was only two in the afternoon.
"He just found out he's been banging his cousin." Noami's voice was low as she spoke to make sure no one else could hear her. "His blood related cousin."
I glanced at the man and then back to her with wide eyes. "No way."
"Yes way." She nodded. "The really messed up part is they found out because they were doing some wedding planning and realized some of the names on their lists of invites began to match up."
"That's horrible." I was definitely shocked by the information she was giving me. However it definitely made me realize my situation could be a hell of a lot worse.
"It is." She agreed.
I glanced back at the guy once more. "That's definitely a unique situation. Kind of makes me curious what he's going to do about it."
"I think that's what he's trying to figure out right now." She looked at the man and then back to me. "Hopefully it doesn't mess him up forever. It would be a shame. Anyway, what can I get you to drink?"
"Surprise me with something. Nothing too strong, like I want to be able to make it home okay but strong enough that today's events are the last thing on my mind." I explained.
She smiled as she nodded. "I've got the perfect thing for you then."
She heads to the bar and makes a drink. It only takes her a few minutes before she sets it down on the counter in front of me. The drink has a purplish tint to it and I can't exactly pick up what alcohol may be mixed in.
"So do I get to know what brought you here so early today?" She asked as she watched me take a sip of the drink. "People only really come into the bar at this time of day to get their mind off of something."
I swallow the liquid in my mouth. I'm still not quite sure what's in here but the most dominating flavor is grape. Whatever it is though is good. Noami must know her mixes well.
I let a frustrated sigh escape my lips. "Hope you have time because it's a lot."
She looks around the mostly empty bar and then back to me. "I think I have time."
I proceeded to go over everything with Sterling. I started from the very beginning about our childhood up to when things ended. I then explained everything about my current situation. It was probably more than she bargained for but it felt nice to just let it out. Especially to someone who wasn't in the mix of the whole thing.
"Wow." She finally spoke once I finished all the details. "Sounds like you really do have it rough."
"Yeah." I finished the drink she had made and set the glass back down. "Definitely doesn't help that he's a Tipton either."
"I've heard a lot about them. Are they really as powerful as people say?" I could tell she was curious. I couldn't blame her, everyone wanted to know about them.
"From the way it seems yes." I honestly answered. "At least Damon Tipton is pretty powerful. I'm not so sure about Sterling. I haven't really seen him in action on the business end yet."
"Listen, it sounds like you could use a friend. I'm working tonight but if you're interested we can meet up sometime outside of the bar." Noami offered. "That way you can have someone to confide in while you go through this shitty situation."
"That would be great." I gave her a small smile.
Having a friend probably would help me out a lot. Everyone I knew here was connected to Sterling. It would be nice to have a friend that I could be around and not have to worry about him being brought up. I would only have to talk about him if I really wanted to.
"Wait. You're not going to tell all my problems to your next customer are you?" I raised a brow as I was curious to hear her respond.
"No." She acted as if she was zipping her lips and throwing away a key. "Your secrets are safe with me. It's one thing to talk about the juicy details about patron's. It's a whole different thing to talk to your patron's about your friends."
I let out a low chuckle. "This is going to be a beautiful friendship Noami."