Present Day
Her shift was over, the last few hours until 2 am dragged ass and it was slower than molasses going uphill. The final hour was no more than 3 drunks nearly passed out at the bar until Kate called them a cab and had Bruce help them out to the car. At that point, there was nothing left to do but clean up the few bottles scattered around pool tables and clean up. They were finished long before it was time to dim the lights and turn off the iridescent glowing sign.
"Why don't you head home, darlin'?" Came the sultry voice from behind the bar, making Kayla's head turn to look at her and blink. Her hand rose to tug the elastic out of her high ponytail, fingers ruffling mahogany hair until it fell in waves around her round face.
"You sure you don't want the company?" The floors were already mopped up and the tables turned down, chairs fitted upside down on the tables. "I don't got shit to do at home. I can stick around." She was only delaying another lonely night at home, stuffing her face of ice cream and watching late night reruns until she passed out from the sugar crash.
The redhead owner pursed her lips, seeming to consider it before those full lips curled into a smile. "Well, if you really wanna keep me company... You could always mash those keys and play me a tune while I count the register." The woman's eyes were on her like glue, her expression having that knowing look to it as well as a touch of mischief like it always did.
She gave Kate a look that spoke a thousand words, her head tilted as she seemed about ready to shake her head in denial. Her mouth faintly ajar, the 'no' forming on her lips until all that came out was a breathy sigh. Her smile was slow to appear as it was so damn hard to tell that woman off. Raising her hands in surrender, she took a couple steps toward the bar shelves, hands moving to her back to untie the knot that kept the waitress apron in place. "You win," she grumbled softly, ducking her head to remove the neck halter before slipping it on a hook in one fluid motion.
The owner grinned from ear to ear, pressing a few buttons on the register. "I always win," she boasted, her eyes shifting from the machine to the girl. "And play something..." wafting her hand to gesture in circles "fancy. Give me a taste of leisure and luxury." Her lips pursed while she lifted one shoulder, puckering her lips as she batted her lashes. Kate wasn't a fancy broad, that much could be said, so the request had Kayla laughing her raspy spill of air. "Alright, fancy it is." Her eyes rolling dramatically while she carried herself to their shabby, beat up piano.
Sliding to the bench, her expression was completely different. It was nostalgic, a little sad. Her fingers dusted the keys, barely touching the cool and smooth plastic. Her teeth latched on to her bottom lip, her eyes closing when her fingers had found their starting place. And when her mind went silent, blocking out every sound in the room, the elegant upkeep of Vivaldi's Four Seasons thrummed from her fingers to the keys.
Her shift was over, the last few hours until 2 am dragged ass and it was slower than molasses going uphill. The final hour was no more than 3 drunks nearly passed out at the bar until Kate called them a cab and had Bruce help them out to the car. At that point, there was nothing left to do but clean up the few bottles scattered around pool tables and clean up. They were finished long before it was time to dim the lights and turn off the iridescent glowing sign.
"Why don't you head home, darlin'?" Came the sultry voice from behind the bar, making Kayla's head turn to look at her and blink. Her hand rose to tug the elastic out of her high ponytail, fingers ruffling mahogany hair until it fell in waves around her round face.
"You sure you don't want the company?" The floors were already mopped up and the tables turned down, chairs fitted upside down on the tables. "I don't got shit to do at home. I can stick around." She was only delaying another lonely night at home, stuffing her face of ice cream and watching late night reruns until she passed out from the sugar crash.
The redhead owner pursed her lips, seeming to consider it before those full lips curled into a smile. "Well, if you really wanna keep me company... You could always mash those keys and play me a tune while I count the register." The woman's eyes were on her like glue, her expression having that knowing look to it as well as a touch of mischief like it always did.
She gave Kate a look that spoke a thousand words, her head tilted as she seemed about ready to shake her head in denial. Her mouth faintly ajar, the 'no' forming on her lips until all that came out was a breathy sigh. Her smile was slow to appear as it was so damn hard to tell that woman off. Raising her hands in surrender, she took a couple steps toward the bar shelves, hands moving to her back to untie the knot that kept the waitress apron in place. "You win," she grumbled softly, ducking her head to remove the neck halter before slipping it on a hook in one fluid motion.
The owner grinned from ear to ear, pressing a few buttons on the register. "I always win," she boasted, her eyes shifting from the machine to the girl. "And play something..." wafting her hand to gesture in circles "fancy. Give me a taste of leisure and luxury." Her lips pursed while she lifted one shoulder, puckering her lips as she batted her lashes. Kate wasn't a fancy broad, that much could be said, so the request had Kayla laughing her raspy spill of air. "Alright, fancy it is." Her eyes rolling dramatically while she carried herself to their shabby, beat up piano.
Sliding to the bench, her expression was completely different. It was nostalgic, a little sad. Her fingers dusted the keys, barely touching the cool and smooth plastic. Her teeth latched on to her bottom lip, her eyes closing when her fingers had found their starting place. And when her mind went silent, blocking out every sound in the room, the elegant upkeep of Vivaldi's Four Seasons thrummed from her fingers to the keys.