Chapter Three | Avalon

The dim-lit interior of the bar is a nice change from the scolding sun outside. I wipe the subtle tears from underneath my eyes and quickly gather myself before sitting at the bar. For the past four hours, I have been sobbing uncontrollably in my apartment - the same apartment I shared with my fiance until today.

The universe has thrown a ton of bricks my way, so I am resorting to drinking until my problems miraculously fade. Currently, I am trying to push the much-needed conversation with my mother to the very back of my mind and forget that my existence is becoming bleaker and bleaker by the second.

My gaze shifts up, landing on one fine specimen in particular and stopping all wallowing I had planned. With brooding muscles stretching out his tee-shirt and black curly hair, the image takes my breath away. Then, our eyes meet, and it’s as if his stormy grey orbs are staring into my soul. Something about this man screams mystery and danger.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

Like the cherry on top of an ice-cream sundae, his voice is rugged and intriguing. I study the handsome stranger profusely, almost forgetting to answer his question.

“A drink… Yes! Give me your strongest one,” I manage, finding my voice at just the right moment. The bartender cocks one eyebrow, curiosity evident in his focused stare. Then, he manages a brief smile and grabs a glass.

“Rough day?”

The two-word question brings me back to reality, and I let out an audible groan.

“Quite possibly the worst,” I reply honestly.

His smile fades, and the man leans against the counter after sliding my drink across to me. I study the brown liquid, refusing to smell it before I chug the entire glass. It burns my throat in more ways than one, but I slam the glass down and hand it back to the bartender.

“Another one,” I say.

Now, the man isn’t so subtle with his curiosity.

“I’m Alexander. I feel like we should be acquainted before I encourage you to unload your problems onto me,” he exclaims, grabbing the glass in one swift movement. Now I arch an eyebrow.

“Well Alexander, I’m Avalon. People I’m close with call me Ava. I figure you should know what nickname to use when you give me your condolences,” I play along. Alexander chuckles and slides the second drink over to me.

“You know what they say, a bartender is just as good as a therapist for one-third of the price. I am all ears,” he encourages. I glance from the drink to Alexander, before pouring more liquid down my throat. This time, my head starts to feel tingly. I can already tell I’m going to be calling a cab home tonight.

“My fiance of four years was f*cking another woman when I came home today. I’ve spent every waking moment bending over backward for that man with nothing in return but absolute betrayal.”

Hearing myself say these words out loud sounds even more pathetic than it did in my head. Not to mention my tipsy ego begging me to spill the tears like a brutal thunderstorm. I glance up, meeting Alexander’s sympathetic stare. It’s that exact stare that stops me from telling the whole truth.

I couple the dramatic sob story with an eye roll and slide the glass back to Alexander for round three.

“I’m most upset that I didn’t see it coming, despite my mother’s warnings every time we spoke on the phone,” I add. Alexander sighs.

“This guy sounds like a waste of time and energy. I mean, clearly, he’s an idiot to mess up something good with a girl like you. You can’t tell me he was searching for something better, because look at you,” Alexander says certainly, never shifting his gaze from mine. My face gets heated instantly, the compliment coursing through my veins in the form of adrenaline. My heart skips three beats at once, but I do my best to hide it.

Instead, I grab the third glass of Bourbon from Alexander’s hand, allowing our fingers to brush subtly. Then, I throw back the liquid another time, no longer cringing from the taste.

“Let’s make it four.”

***

“I’m impressed. You have both outstayed and outdrank every person in the bar,” Alexander muses. I let out a loud chuckle, no longer having control of my reactions. After the fifth drink, I began to spiral into oblivion.

“What can I say? I’m a special kind of breed,” I tease. Alexander shakes his head, the amused smirk still evident on his lips. God how I would kiss those lips. I look around, realizing that I really am the last person here. I sigh and get up, nearly falling over. Gravity and I are never friends when I’m drunk.

“Woah… you okay?” Alexander asks, rushing over to my side of the bar. I wave it off and attempt to walk, only to stumble in every direction. Alexander catches me before I fall, his hand grazing the exposed skin on my back. Chills run down my spine, almost making me giggle.

“Let me walk you home,” Alexander suggests. I try to object but the stubborn man cuts me off. “I’m walking you home.”

The cool Sanfrancisco air greets me like an old friend as we travel down the familiar street. It’s almost enough to make me smile.

“So, tell me Ava… where did you meet such a terrible boyfriend?”

I roll my eyes at the mention of Jackson. Flashbacks flood my mind in waves.

“Honestly, we met when I was very young and naive. I was in college for software engineering and he was a desirable business student. I don’t know how I fell for his charm,” I explain. I don’t have the courage to meet Alexander’s eyes, but I can feel them burning a hole in my head.

“That’s a lie, actually. He was the first person I really confided in about my father’s death, and he was the first person to make me feel like life would go on. Somehow that made Jackson special,” I add.

“That must have been hard losing your dad, but there’s nothing special about somebody who makes you feel so small. I’m sorry he took advantage of you in such a vulnerable time,” Alexander says instantly.

I think over his words carefully. In reality, Alexander is right. I fell for Jackson because I needed somebody, not him specifically. Maybe that’s why I stayed for so long. I was just terrified to let go of that safety net. Coming to this realization doesn’t make the situation hurt any less, but it’s good to note.

“I held on for way too long, but it wasn’t even my choice to leave. He didn’t want me. Why didn’t he want me?” I think aloud, my heart dropping to the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t good enough, even after trying desperately to be the one.

“Hey, don’t think like that. Jackson had the chance of a lifetime and he blew it. If anybody should be in despair, it’s him,” Alexander reassures, placing a hand on my back for comfort. Again, electricity courses through me. Maybe I just need a really handsome distraction to get over my ex.

Realizing we’re near my apartment, I reach out and grab Alexander’s hand, intertwining our fingers. Surprisingly, the man doesn’t question my actions. Instead, he does that really sexy gesture, moving his thumb gently in a circle against mine. I suck in a breath, coming to a stop in front of my building.

“Well, this is me,” I say awkwardly. I meet Alexander’s gaze and find myself at a loss for words. He seems like the complete package - handsome features, kind words, and perfect gestures - so what’s the catch?

“Will you be okay tonight?” He asks sweetly.

I bite back a smile and nod, though I’m not totally sure.

“I will… but I don’t have to be alone tonight…” I suggest, hoping Alexander gets the hint. When he doesn’t say anything, I take a leap of faith and lean in. Suddenly, Alexander backs away.

“As much as I would love to come inside with you, I can’t take advantage of you right now. You’re in a vulnerable place and I refuse to be like the last guy. You deserve better, Ava.”

Usually, rejection is brutal to face, but this time it’s not so bad. In a way, spending the night alone is bittersweet. I manage a soft smile and squeeze Alexander’s hand.

“Thank you. I needed to hear that.”