It isn’t like I planned to gawk at her from afar all night, but from a distance at least she can’t crush my hopes and dreams of taking her home. Eventually a barstool frees up and I snag it. The new bartender on this side, a pretty brunette with a septum piercing, smiles at me. “What can I get you?” she asks. “Jack and Coke.” She nods and gets busy pouring my drink. I lean back, staring across the bar at Olivia. The crowd is gradually starting to move outside, and the bartenders slow down a bit, taking a little more time getting orders, smiling and talking more. All except Olivia. She moves
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