Danika's Gift by Jayn Wilde Page B

through my daily routine.  The only thing that brightened my day was hanging out with Sam, or my friend from work, Katia.  She was older than me and Sam and had a very pretty accent.  She moved there just before Sam and I started working at the pizzeria, which was right after Derek left.  Katia said she was from New York, but I knew she was hiding something because when she got angry, her accent slipped.  It sounded almost like Russian or something.  Then, when she calmed down, it was more New Yorker again.  But, it was none of my business.  We went out, we had fun, so I didn’t really care.
    That night we were having girl’s night out at Piper’s, a local pub.  I was looking forward to hanging out with the girls.  Far from campus, it was usually free of the college crowd, which made me happy.  Katia always managed to get me at least one alcoholic drink.  Since I didn’t like to get drunk, one was perfect.  I ordered a cola and she got a rum and cola and then switched them at the table.  I think the bartender knew, but pretended he didn’t.  And, might I add the bartender, Casey was one hot looking guy?
    Tonight I ordered an angus burger smothered with gravy, pub fries and a small bowl of chili.  I had NO idea where I thought all of this food is going to go, but I loved leftovers, so it worked for me.  Casey looked great tonight.   He kept looking over at our booth.  I wondered if he was looking at Sam.  Probably. She was next to me, furthest from the bar, and he had to look past me to see her. 
    “Sam, you want to switch?” I offered.
    “No, why?”
    I rolled my eyes, “I think Casey can see you better if you’re on the outside.”
    “He’s looking at you, silly,” Katia laughed.
    “No he’s not.”  I wasn’t available. Well, my heart wasn’t, but my body was, I guessed.
    “He’s coming.  Sh!”  Sam giggled.
    “Hey ladies, what will it be tonight?”  He was talking to all of us, but his eyes were focused on me.  I suddenly felt flushed and looked down, checking him out briefly.  He was wearing a light blue button down tucked into jeans that hugged his muscular thighs in just the right way.  I tried to move my eyes quickly past his, uh, package and down to his feet.  Yes, I had noticed it.  Nice package. Black heavy boots.  Yes, I did get to his feet.
    “Martini please,” Katia ordered.
    “Margherita,” Sam said.  I frowned.  She turned twenty-one last month.  She’d been having fun experimenting with drinks since then.
    “Cola please,” I murmured, my eyes focused on Casey’s shoes.  It was the only time I ever drank the stuff and I was secretly hoping Katia or Sam could get me my usual.
    “Coming right up,” Casey’s voice was cheery.  I watched his feet walk away and waited to look up until I knew he was gone.  And, well, to watch him go because those jeans were really fit perfectly for him.
    “Does he ever do that?”  Katia asked.
    “No.  I don’t recall seeing him ever go to a table to take a drink order,” Sam replied nudging me at the same time.
    I blushed and played with my napkin.
    “Here ya go girls!”  Our waitress, Bonnie set down our appetizers and drinks. 
    “Thanks,” we chorused.
    I put a straw into my soda, taking a big sip and almost choked on it.  Sam slapped me on the back.  Either she was trying to help me or maul me, I wasn’t sure which. 
    “I’m okay,” my voice raspy.  “There’s liquor in this.”  Katia and Sam giggled.  Once I realized what happened, I giggled too, blushing and gave a thank you nod to Casey who was watching me from the bar.
    We had a great time at dinner and my one “soda” really relaxed me.  I actually felt a bit adventurous and bold.  I wrote my number down on a napkin and brought my glass to the bar.  I set the napkin down and waited until Casey was close by to set the glass on it and slide it to him. 
    “Thank you for the soda.  Best I’ve ever had.”  I winked at him and