Page 13 of Liquid Courage

“You’d probably like her. She’s famous for her husky voice. In fact…” Vivian checked something on her phone before continuing. “She did the voice of Jessica Rabbit.”

“Oh, yeah, her. One of my first gay awakenings in the ‘90s. I was so jealous of her nailing that cartoon rabbit stud.”

Vivian laughed so hard that she almost knocked the last of her drink over.

Their conversation was cut short when two patrons ambled in and said their hellos to Kat. She remembered them enough to know what beers they would order. Vivian watched on with mild interest as Kat filled their orders and took their money.

One by one, more people arrived, having just gotten off work and deciding a drink at the local watering hole was in order. Vivian stayed in her corner and texted on her phone while Kat was kept busy until her shift replacement arrived five minutes late.

“Sorry!” a high-pitched voice called over the increasing volume of the small bar crowd. “Bank line got me!”

Kat went into the back to sign off with Beverly and grab her meager things. But as she pulled her hat and gloves out of her mini-locker, she decided to check to see if Vivian was still at the bar. The newest bartender had no idea that Vivian hadn’t paid for her drink and left her alone.

Because yes, she was still there, looking like the prettiest secretary to ever walk into Kat’s mundane life.

“Shit’s not fair,” Kat said to Beverly on her way by the desk. “Pretty women make the world so unfair.”

“Why’s that?” Her boss called after her.

“Because they reject you.” Kat closed the office door on her way out.