“So go take care of your mental health away from my bar.” He didn’t mean the words, really. He was pleased Marley came to visit him. And anyway, if he got all mushy on her, she’d think something was wrong.
She grinned at him and scanned the dance floor. “This is fun. Kinda looks weird during the day without a bunch of drunk people grinding on each other.”
Chad snorted and picked up another glass to dry.
She rested her chin on her hands. “So what are you doing here so early? Your boss isn’t even here yet.”
“I offered to pick up some more shifts.”
Marley frowned. “You need money?”
No, but I do if I want to go back to school. “What? I can’t do something proactive?”
“I didn’t mean it that way, don’t get defensive.”
“I’m not destitute, but why not work more if I have the time?”
She looked confused, which irritated Chad. But he couldn’t blame her. He’d never done something like this before—actively worked to move ahead.
“Okay,” she said finally. “You’ll let me know if you need anything, right?”
“Of course,” he said, turning away so he didn’t have to see the concern in her eyes. He began to wipe down the shelves behind the bar, consciously aware Marley was behind him, staring at his back.
There was the sound of her straw draining her coffee. “So, are you seeing someone?” she asked quietly.
“Why do you think I’m seeing someone?” he asked.
“Because you’ve been a little distant lately. I called you and told you that I bought that cool mortar and pestle thing for guacamole and you haven’t shown up once to use it yet.”
Shit, she knew him so well.
“Chad?”
He thought about Owen and their fuck in the park and wished he’d done some things different that day. Well, not the sex, but after the sex. Owen had made it clear with his silence that he had no interest in a repeat. His emails were so business-like that it stung. And it pissed Chad off that it stung. It didn’t help that he still hadn’t deleted the damn Dapper Dick. In fact, he’d changed the bow tie to green with white polka dots. Because he wanted to torture himself, apparently. He sighed. “I hooked up with a guy.”
Marley didn’t move. “Oh?”
“He’s hot. Great sex. But…” He turned around and leaned on the bar, biting his lip.
“But you got bored,” Marley finished for him.
He clenched his jaw. “No, I didn’t get bored of him. Not at all.” That was the fucking truth. “He’s just nothing like me. We’re not compatible in any way, really.”
He glanced up at Marley, who was frowning. “What does that mean, not compatible? You’re compatible with everyone.”
“No, I mean, he’s all serious and kind of uptight. He thinks I’m an idiot. In bed, he likes me; after that, he can barely tolerate me.” Even as he said the words, he wondered if they were true. He remembered the tender expression Owen had given him when Chad brushed his hair off his forehead, when Owen had given him his bow tie and asked if he wanted to get something to eat.
Marley seemed to choose her words carefully. “I think your perception of how people view you is off. No one thinks you’re an idiot.”
“You haven’t met this guy,” he muttered.
“So maybe he’s a total asshole and does think you’re an idiot, but you need to stop thinking that’s everyone’s default and that you have to prove them wrong.”
He hadn’t thought of it that way. He leaned on the bar across from her and picked at his nails.
“Do you like him?”
“It doesn’t really matter—”
“Yes, it does.” She gripped his hand. “It matters how you feel.”
“Sure, I like him.”
“So what’s the hang-up? Call him.”
Chad looked at her. “He’s this professional guy with a great job, and I’m a bartender. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but we’re not on the same plane in life.” Marley opened her mouth, but he waved a hand. “Can we change the subject? This shit is depressing.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He smiled at her. “You’re going to let a subject drop?”
“Oh, knock it off.” She shoved his shoulder playfully. “Maybe I’m just on a caffeine high.”
“So is this a good mental health day, then?”
She threw her hands in the air. “Yes! I’ve been working my ass off because Grant is crazy and Austin is…well, Austin. I love him, but he can be a little exhausting to deal with on a daily basis. Sitting here talking to you about your love life—”