You ordered the right bourbon, don’t fumble the bag now - Online/SoCal

\*\*This keeps getting deleted even though it clearly states I’m married. Please don’t delete!\*\*

I see you.

Carefully orbiting the bar like a decent human, making sure you don’t take a seat that isn’t yours. Respectful. Rare.

You’re endearingly handsome - like normal life handsome. The kind that sneaks up on you. That blue flannel? Yeah… that’s working for you. And I’m a sucker for a backwards ball cap, so thank you for that. Really. It lets me fully appreciate the beard situation you’ve got going on.

Also… the pencil tucked into your hat? Sir. What are we doing here? That’s unnecessarily attractive.

My friend is mid-rant about something I’m sure is very important, but I’ve completely checked out. Because have you seen you?

Now you’re at the bar. Focused. Intentional. RespeOntario.

You scan the bottles like it matters - like this isn’t just a drink, it’s a decision. You ask the bartender for a recommendation, and of course he tries to steer you toward Four Roses Small Batch bourbon. Safe. Predictable. A little lazy.

But you pause.

Because you know better… or at least you feel like you should.

And then I see it - the moment it clicks.

Old Grand-Dad 114 bourbon.

A little bold. Slightly underrated. Not trying too hard, but definitely not basic. Most places don’t even carry it… and yet, there you are, taking your time like you’ve been waiting for this exact moment.

The way you think it through - subtle, focused, a quick lick of your lips without even realizing it…

Yeah. Sensual. That’s the word.

I’ve never wanted to be a bottle of bourbon more in my life.

So I order the same thing.

Not obvious. Just…matching the vibe.

And you notice.

Not because I’m staring (I mean… I am, because \*dayum\*), but because I make some loud, completely unnecessary comment about how Freddie Freeman absolutely should’ve stretched that into a triple. Like what are we doing, Freddie?

You smirk.

We sit in that quiet, comfortable almost-stranger space - both pretending we’re just here for the drink. I make some throwaway joke about how you better enjoy that drink for what it costs, and then -

You wink.

Oof. That wink had no business being that effective.

You go to close your tab, and I figure that’s it. Cute little moment. Nothing more.