Serendipitous Stranger

It was 12:35 pm on a sunless, Saturday afternoon on a blustery, autumn day in Santa Barbara, California. Olivia was running five minutes late for her midday shift at Dargans. It was a cozy Irish pup in the deteriorating downtown area which used to be bustling with consumers, tourists and mom and pop businesses, but those days had all but come to an end. So many places had been forced to close due to high rents and cooperate businesses moving in. It was a miracle Dargans had been able to survive this long. It was one of the older establishments at 30 years old.

Olivia was quite hungover from a friend's holiday party the night before, and she was looking forward to a nice, quiet shift. If Paul or Sarah were in the office, she knew she'd get scolded for being five minutes late instead of five minutes early, which was the preferred arrival time for all staff members. She prayed they took the morning off. Olivia wasn't in the mood to get "the talk". It wasn't like like this place was a chain restaurant that required a uniform and had oddly specific rules, but it was starting to feel like that way. Sarah got off on being the micro-manager everyone hated.

Most Saturdays didn't pick up until about two, so she was hoping to walk in to set up the bar in relative solitude. Instead, she was annoyed to see two men sitting on bar stools, in front of what was obviously an unmanned bar that was not open for service. She let out a long sigh of frustration, and as cheerfully as she could muster, greeted her customers.

"Hey there! It will just take me a few minutes to get everything set up. Can I get you guys something to drink while you wait? Menus?"

They nodded and both asked for a Magner's on ice. Through the fog of her hangover, Olivia heard two distinct accents. Her mood improved slightly, as she had a thing for men with cute accents. They weren't bad looking guys either. The younger of the two was actually quite handsome with olive green eyes like she'd never seen in another person, except in her own reflection. Her interest was piqued. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. A distraction from her pounding head might be nice.

"Sorry love, we went through the front door first, but nobody seemed to be working the bar. The waitress said you'd be in to open the back bar any second, and look, here you are!" said the younger of the two, with a thick Irish accent as he laughed. Although, nothing was particularly funny.

As she served them their pints of cider, Olivia couldn't help but smile. "What brings the two of you into in today?" She wasn't the best at small talk in the state she was in, but she was giving it her best shot. They seemed nice.

"Aye, we came down from Santa Monica on our motorbikes to get Mac's fish & chips, but the guy at the English pup said they've been closed over a year now. We had a pint there and asked him where to get the best fish & chips in town, and he pointed us in your direction. Do ya have fish & chips on the menu, love?" The Irishman said with a wink and a smile.

"We do indeed. I'm not sure if they're the best in town, but they're good." Olivia chided herself for her less than optimistic response, but she didn't want to lie. She knew they were no where near as good as the fish & chips they had driven over an hour for. "I mean, maybe not as good as Mac's were, bu they're good." Hoping to make up for her previous comment.

"Well then, sold! Two orders please. We are starving. It was a long ride."

"Sure thing."

"Thanks, love" said the young man, as he pointed his deep green eyes, like lasers, directly at her.

Olivia usually hated when male customers used terms of endearment to address her, but this Irish guy could call her love all day long. There was something about him that caught her attention. This was very unlike her. It was a strict rule of hers to keep healthy boundaries between her and her customers. Which meant no flirting, but she was intrigued. Maybe she was still drunk from the festivities of the night before.

"Right, I'll get those right out to you. I'm hardly ever late. Rough night last night, with the holidays and all that. Ya know what I mean?"

"You look fine to me lass. I've seen much worse. Give us another pint if you don't mind."

Just then, the older of the two men, who happened to be English, got a phone call. It must have been someone important, because he did not delay in answering his phone on the first ring. It was his fiance, and she wanted wine. STAT.

"Hey, sorry mate. I'm going to have to run up to that little Danish town right after we finish. Elaine wants a few bottles of that wine she never shuts up about, and that's the only place I can get it. It's a grand reserve or some bullshit you cant find anywhere else. Limited edition."

Olivia couldn't help but overhear their conversation. She was actually just beginning to appreciate their presence. She was even a bit sad to hear they had to go so soon. She had plenty of work to do to keep herself busy if they had to go, but she found herself wishing they'd stay a bit longer.

"Would you like the check, or maybe another pint?"

"I'll take one more, and pay the bill. It's been nice chatting with you.", said the Englishman, as he excused himself to the restroom.

The ruggedly handsome, yet boyish Irishman drank his cider quietly, but Olivia could feel his eyes on her everywhere she walked. Usually this would make her quite uncomfortable, but she found that she didn't mind this man staring at her. It had been a while since she last felt excited about someone showing an interest in her. She really wished they'd stay a bit longer. Maybe the one guy could go get his wine and the Irish one might stay, she hoped.

Olivia wasn't sure what had gotten into her, but she couldn't deny the magnetic attraction she felt towards this person. He had this laugh that just got to her, and it wasn't often that she paid much attention to most people. His eyes seemed to bore into her as he continued to watch her move around the pub while she cleaned and set up the tables.

What Olivia assumed would be another long, painfully boring shift was turning out to be a rather enjoyable experience. She hoped they wouldn't leave her there all be herself. She was just starting to have some fun during what she expected to be the worst day ever.

"Well I guess that's us then. I'm glad Mac's was closed. They never had any cute bartenders who were up for a chat. I'll be sure to stop in the next time I find myself up here. Of course, it's been five or more years since the last time I was here." He laughed again. It was a genuine laugh. Olivia still wasn't sure what he was laughing at, but she unexpectedly found herself laughing along with him.

The guys gathered all their motorcycle gear to put on and head out. Olivia wanted to ask the emerald eyed stranger to stay, but she didn't want to sound ridiculous, or desperate. Plus she'd be breaking her own rule by overstepping professional boundaries with a customer. Yet... there was just something about him she couldn't shake.

"Well, safe travels you two. It was a pleasure to have you, and I hope you come back sometime soon. I always work the Saturday lunch shift." She was hoping that the subtle hint might bring him back sooner than 5 years from now.

"Thanks again" They chimed.

Just as she was thinking there might be a sliver of chance that the man with the contagious laughter might return, Olivia heard the heavy footsteps of motorcycle boots and the unmistakable click of someone releasing the chin strap on a helmet. He was back. Olivia wondered if she had a secret psychic ability that drew him back to her (not really), but the thought was fun to entertain.

"Back so soon?" Olivia tried to sound surprised.

"I couldn't be annoyed riding up to that shit-hole town. He's old and rides slow. I figured I'd just wait here until he got back so we could ride back to Santa Monica together."

Olivia tried to hide the smile betraying her excitement, but she knew it was just about as conspicuous as a dog hiding their unbridled joy when their owner returned home after a few hours out. She could feel herself beginning to blush.

"I realized I never introduced myself properly. Jame's McCann at your service. And you are...?"

"Olivia Bernard....at your service" She giggled

"Right then, Olivia. Give us another pint please, and your phone number if you don't mind."

"Oh. Um.... I don't really give my phone number out to patrons, but I'll be happy to get you that pint, Mr. McCann."

"Is that so? Well that's a shame. Not even Irish patrons, in a fine Irish establishment such as this? I need to speak to your manager. It's a rule. You know, every cute bartender in every Irish pub MUST giver their Irish patrons their phone numbers."

"Nice try. You'll have to do better than that"

"Fair enough. Have a drink with me when you get off. When will that be?"

Olivia glanced at her watch. It would be dark by then. How could he ride home in the dark? Plus, she didn't go on dates with customers. She had boundaries.

"It will be a couple hours still, and by then it will be dark. Plus I don't go on dates with bar flies."

Olivia tried to keep a strait face, but this guy was making it very hard to say no. She could feel the gleaming, pink color of her cheeks betraying her words.

"Not even Irish bar flies? You know, we're a different breed."

Just then the double doors swung open, and a familiar blonde walked up to take a seat at the bar. It was her mother. The woman who had been on a year long mission to fix her daughter up with any decent man as long as they were employed and unmarried.

Olivia took a quick glance at Jame's left hand. No ring. Oh no. This could go one of several ways. Maybe they wouldn't talk to each other. Somehow she knew her hopes were in vain.

"Hey mom. You're here a bit early. Stella?"

"Wow. I wasn't expecting to meet your mother so soon, but I guess it's best to get these things out of the way early. Hello there, I'm James. I must say you have a lovely daughter. She's been nice enough to put up with me for most of the afternoon. A damn good bartender too."

Shit. Seriously? It was at this moment Olivia realized the game had begun and that she was just a pawn while her mother reigned supreme as queen. She may as well just throw in the towel now.

"Nice to meet you James. Are you a local or just visiting?"

She raised her eyebrow at Olivia as if it was a secret code to convey that she had already noticed the absence of a wedding ring. He was undeniably attractive, funny and charming. Now he just needed to have a job, and Olivia would be heavily encouraged to accept his previous invitation.

"Down from Santa Monica on a motorbike ride with my boss. He rode up to that little town where all the wine tasting rooms are. Solvang is it? He went to get his wife a few bottles of her favorite wine. I decided I'd stay here to keep your daughter company, but she's being a bit difficult. I offered to take her for drink for her outstanding service, but she said she doesn't date bar flies....not even Irish ones. Put your mum's Stella on my tab."

There was no getting out of this. Not only did he have a job, but a good relationship with his boss, and now he was buying her mother a beer. Game over. Check mate. On the bright side, if her mother encouraged her to go out with him, Olivia wouldn't feel so guilty breaking her stringent rule to maintain professional boundaries with her customers. Plus, he didn't even live in town.

"Olivia, you don't have to come to dinner with me and your dad. It's been ages since you've been on a proper date. Don't let us keep you from going out and having some fun."

There it was. What could she possibly say now? She ran through a few things in her head, and any refusal sounded stupid. Her plans were just rendered obsolete. Her mother basically just called her out as desperate, when she could have just kept her mouth shut. Plus, she sort of wanted to say yes WITHOUT seeming desperate, but that was out the window now. Thanks mom.

"I suppose I could meet you for a drink when I get off, but let's not call it a date. I don't even know you. We'll call it a meeting between two new friends."

"You know your father and I met on a blind date. Your grandmother met Papa Thornton on a double blind date, but he was there with the other girl It didn't take long before they got it right though." Her mother reminisced.

"We can call it whatever you like, love. Where would you like to go?"

James was smiling as if he had just won a championship game, not realizing her mother was the true victor in orchestrating this serendipitous encounter perfectly.

"I'll be off in about an hour. There's a place kitty corner from here called The Paradise Cafe. You should head over and save us seats at the bar. I'll take a nice Merlot. How are you going to ride back in the dark? Shouldn't your boss be back by now?"

"Aye, when we were walking back to the bikes he told me I'd be stupid if I didn't come back here to talk to you. Glad I did. Don't you worry your wee little head about how I'll get back. I've done this a time or two."

"What's that? Hit on various "cute" bartenders who were "up for a chat" on long distance motorcycle rides, trying to get them to go out with you?"

Olivia's mother's head turned to give James a look that would cause most people to loose their bowels. It was the look of a mama bear promising he wouldn't live to see another day if he dared to step out of line.

"No. Well yes, but no. I've been riding since I was 18. I've been on plenty of long motorbike rides. They have these amazing establishments these days. Not sure if you've heard of them, but they rent rooms to travelers such as myself. Hotels, I think they're called?" laughing at his own sarcasm.

His boisterous laughter echoed throughout the building. Her mom started laughing, and before she knew it, Olivia was laughing too.....at a joke he just made at her expense. That crafty bastard.

"Well played, but don't expect me to be an overnight visitor. I agreed to a glass of NICE Merlot, with a new friend. Don't push your luck."

Jame's gave a nod and paid for their beers. He was still smiling like a fool. He clearly thought he'd won a trophy out of this chance meeting.

"Well, mum, nice to meet you. I appreciate you allowing me to take your daughter from a family dinner. I assure you that she is in good hands."

He slugged back the rest of his pint, grabbed his helmet off the old, pine bar, and headed out the door. Even in the waning sunlight, his stormy green eyes shined bright when he light caught them.

When she was finally off, Olivia nervously walked towards the crosswalk that would lead her to The Paradise cafe. She could see him sitting alone at the bar, holding her seat with a glass of Merlot just as she had asked. Maybe this was fate. Maybe it was total insanity. It was true, she couldn't even remember the last date she'd been on. She reminded herself, this wasn't a date. Who was she kidding?

She walked into the cafe and took the seat he had been holding for her. Olivia had no idea what to say now that she was on the other side of the bar. So she took a deep drink of the Merlot he had chosen for her, and to her surprise, it wasn't their cheap house red like she was expecting. He had listened when she asked for a NICE glass of wine. Impressive.

Olivia looked up from her glass into his soulful eyes, which color matched hers nearly identically.

"Maybe there is hope for you yet. If you play your cards right, I might even give you my phone number"