Morganna washed the last glass of the afternoon before casting a longing glance at the door.
Her bar was clean, liquor cabinets were stocked full and ready for more patrons to come in and fill the place with lively stories, cigar smoke and booze until 2 AM when the place closed. She set the rag down on the wood bar and sat on a stool beside a rather large collection of whiskeys, bourbons and cognacs.
All the ashtrays had been wiped out again, the humidor stocked full of premium smokes and a few empty match boxes with the bar's name had been thrown out, replaced by fresh, full boxes for her regulars and the casual stranger who strolled in.
It was Tuesday, meaning her favorite customer would probably wander in around eight or so, thirsty and ready to stare at her breasts while she worked.
Nicholas was an unusual man. For starters, he was young. She guessed he was probably in his early twenties, but that was based on his appearance, not what he chose to drink or where he decided to hang out. The age of her normal clientele averaged mid 50's unless someone stumbled in, not knowing this was a cigar bar, not a club atmosphere. Nicholas never paid any attention to women closer to his age, either.
Also, he normally ordered a high end scotch, neat. And he always smoked his own cigars, usually Nicaraguan or Dominican high end like Padrón or Diamond Crown Maximus. Said he liked the older flavors.
She liked the fact that he liked mature things.
Licking her lips, she walked past the bar to the door and flipped the sign to reflect that they were now open for business until 2 AM. Making her way towards the humidor, she slid the glass case open, pulled out a vitola and scanned the bar for a cutter. Spotting one by the beer tap, she retrieved it, held the uncut end of the cigar to the guillotine and clipped off a part of the cap. Bringing the cigar to her lips, she pulled out her torch lighter and lit the end of her cigar, puffing until the entire end was on fire. She cut the flame and took another puff, sending a thick cloud of sweet smoke billowing throughout the air to erase the faint yet distinct smell of cleaning products.
She took her time to savor the earthy, coffee flavors of the Honduran made cigar before returning to behind the bar.
A few minutes later, the stereo played old school jazz music and a few older businessmen had come in ordering mixed drinks and smoking.
Morganna tended to their needs, keeping a watchful eye on the front door in hopes that Nicholas would show up sooner, rather than later.
After a few more hours had passed, the bar begun to fill with the after work crowd. The business set from the financial district in downtown San Francisco came in to smoke, chat and unwind in a smoker friendly haven. John, the new second shift bartender, handled most of the customers while Morganna slipped off into the office behind the bar to handle paperwork and freshen up.
Shutting the door behind her to drown out the music, Morganna looked into an old mirror that hung on the back of the door. The little makeup she wore emphasized jade green eyes while ruby red lips accentuated her freckled skin. She tugged at her sweater, adjusting it so her ample bosoms showed better. Jeans fit her hips snuggly complete with ankle high boots with pointed toes. Her hair had been held away from her face by a clip in the back that centered a pony tail down the length of her back along with the rest of her mane.
She had no idea why she was going to all the trouble to make sure she looked so good for this one customer. He was probably in a relationship like many men his age.
Chalking her insecurity up to her age, Morganna shrugged her shoulders and reached for the door. She stepped back into the bar area but took a quick step back out of sight. Nicholas was sitting at a seat by the window and there was a brunette with him.
Her heart sank.
The brunette leaned forward on her elbows, waving her hand through the thick cloud of smoke coming from Nicholas's cigar.
His hair hung down the length of his back and caught the light off the fixture above so that reflected a deep blue so dark it looked black. His charcoal gray shirt fit snuggly over broad shoulders and was tucked into navy colored slacks.
Morganna licked her lips, felt her nerves ready in anticipation of goddess only knew what. Then she took a glance at the brunette sitting across from him nursing a...cola?
Was she his girlfriend?
Sizing her up, Morganna stepped out from behind the spot she was in. A tall patron caught her attention, waving a credit card.
"Damnit." Impatiently, she waved at him to signal he had her attention. "What can I do for you hon?"
He blushed, ran a hand through his curly blonde hair and opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.
She followed the line of his baby blue eyes roaming down her body until they'd met her assets. Or rather, her breasts. "I see. You're new here, aren't you?"
He nodded.
She cleared her throat. "No wonder. You're too obvious. I take it you'd like to close your tab?"
He set his card down and nodded. "Yeah. I'm sorry. It's been a long day and seeing someone as pretty as you made my day."
Morganna forced a smile to her lips and took his card. "Just the two beers, Rob?"
He shrugged. "I just don't have it in me to drink much anymore. I'm getting older, have to rein it in after a few, ya know?"
An eyebrow rose. Pursing her lips together at the sight of the brunette leaning into Nicholas and brushing a hand across his arm irritated her further. "Just how old are you?"
Rob winked, dropping his tone so that clearly he was flirting. "I could ask you the same thing."
She smirked. "Yeah but I'd answer honestly."
Frowning, Rob took the slip from her and put his card in his pocket. He offered her a fake smile and slid off his bar stool. "You a regular here, hon?"
He was trying for more charm. Great. "Yeah. I happen to know the owners very well." She winked for emphasis and waved him off while another customer ordered a beer.
Morganna sighed and looked in the direction of where Nicholas and the rather annoying brunette were sitting.
He was gone but she remained.
Something possessive inside her drove her to maneuver past John to get a better look at this annoyance who felt she could capture Nicholas's company.
Grabbing a bottle of Glenlivet 18 year old, she poured a scotch into a rocks glass and made her way to Nicholas's table.
The brunette wore a simple black skirt and salmon colored top that came down about half shoulder. Her hair was pulled back tightly, her lips were too thin and her eyes reminded Morganna of the vacuous stares of too many stupid nonsensical thoughts running around her head just waiting for someone to ask, "What's on your mind?"
Setting the drink down on the table, Morganna picked up Nicholas's empty glass.
The brunette spoke in a high pitch that irritated Morganna further. "Excuse me, we didn't order another round."
Morganna shot a vicious grin at the brunette. Her shoulders stiffened but she forced herself to remain polite. "I know. Nicholas is one of my regulars. This one's on the house."
The brunette waved a hand to cut through the thick smoke from Nicholas's cigar. "Ugh, I hope he's almost done here."
Morganna spied him outside pacing back and forth with one hand up to his ear to cover it from the noise that often occurred around Pine Street.
Reaching for the window, she slid it open. A breeze blew in and sucked some of the smoke away from the stupid bitch. "You his girlfriend?"
