A Taste of Spring novel Chapter 3

DEZMOND

Dezmond took another long drink from his beer. A light touch on his shoulder had him looking around but it wasn't Fallon. Of course, it wasn't his friend, even though he was about twenty minutes late already.

"Can I get you anything else, Dez? Another beer?" The waitress smiled.

She's new, Dez thought when he focused on her pretty face. What was her name again?

"No thank you, Katy," he said, remembering at the last minute. He told himself to smile. When the smile she sported grew wider, Dez figured he looked genuine enough.

"If you need anything at all, just let me know."

Dez watched Katy walk away. She didn't look back but he knew that she knew he was still watching her. The extra swing of her hips confirmed it.

Shaking his head, Dez finished his beer then sat his empty glass back on the table. He sat against the wall in his corner, a little spot that was in the bar section of the establishment. It was the perfect spot to see the bar patrons at Murie's. It was his grandfather's spot and now it was his.

Dez focused on the beauty who came inside about twenty minutes ago. He noticed her immediately. She looked to be taller than average height, but shorter than his 6'2". Her hair, tiny neat brown braids, was pulled away from her pear-shaped face; and while he couldn't tell the color of her eyes from this distance they were surrounded by dark lashes and he imagined they were nice. She carried herself with the poise of a dancer. Not to mention that she was killing it in that gray mini dress.

(Damn her legs go on forever. Is she a dancer?)

Dez shook his head. It was none of his damn business what she looked like or did for a living. Still, he couldn't help looking over at her again.

She sat at the bar, sipping on what looked like wine. It didn't escape his notice that she looked to the door a few times then looked at her watch as if she was waiting for someone. Of course, a woman that attractive would be with someone. But...maybe she was waiting for a friend too.

(Women are disastrous to your sanity and career.)

Dez stood. He wasn't going to waste another minute waiting for Fallon. The jerk. He had too many things to do. Though, if he was being honest, 'cause lying to oneself is plain stupid, he had nothing to do but read more horrible reviews.

"I hate critics," Dez grunted under his breath as he made his way to the doors.

Murie's was never crowded on Mondays so it was easy moving through the tables but he had to avoid the regulars who made the slow days their own just as he did. That was one of the reasons Dez loved Murie's.