The Merlot Girl

The Merlot Girl

by

Neha Joseph

Everette walked down the street hands in his pocket and head tucked low behind his collar. He didn't want to be noticed, but it was hard when he stood taller at six feet and had a bright blonde head of hair which he attempted to hide with a hat. All futile because, like his brother, Blake would say, ‘still makes him look mysterious to the chicks’. Regardless Everette didn’t like the attention so he hurried down the city street to the bar where his long night awaited. He couldn’t believe he let his brother convince him to be the bait to get into a club so he could hit on a girl. As Everette grimaces over the poorly constructed plan, Blake sees him and runs up to his brother. Colliding into him excitedly the brothers hugged, Everette pushing him away slightly as he started bursting about the plan.

“Chloe’s already inside so we’re good to go. I'm so glad you came, this is the night dude she's gonna go out with me.” Blake says excitedly.

Everette rolls his eyes, but looks at his younger brother calmly to be the voice of reason, “ Don't you think it’s kind of fucked up you need to use me as bait to flirt with the girl you're in love with. Everette says calmly.

Blake ignores his brother's comment, “ Don’t forget you have to keep yourself busy at the bar so I can chat her up.”

Everette nods, accepting the fact that his brother is a lost cause so he’s blindly on board. Both boys turn toward the door and skip the line in the process, heading straight for the bouncer.

“ Were friends with the event planner let her know were here,” Blake says confidently to the bouncer leaning against the brick wall. The large bouncer laughs and turns his head from the boy’s. Everette pushes Blake out of his way and taps the bouncer's shoulder.

“We know Chloe Ghallager she's running tonight's events, Blake and Everette should be on the list.” Everette holds his hands out to shake the bouncer's hands. The Bouncer glances at his hand and grabs it shaking it firmly, as he glances at the list. Without a word he moves aside letting Everette pass, Everette grabs Blake's collar behind him and pulls him alongside. They enter the bar and Blake walks happily alongside. “See you're already coming in handy,” Blake says as he scans the bar for Chloe. Across the bar at the stage, a petite girl with halo blonde hair stands surrounded by people as her glow charms them.

“There she is” Blake says, immediately enamored by the girl holding the room together.

Blake starts heading toward the stage but Chloe immediately notices the boys who have just entered her little world. She glides over to them and immediately runs to Everette who picks her up and spins her, playing into his charming boy effect. His brother broods beside him. “ Why my favorite duo of brothers,” Chloe says as she beams at the boys. Everette puts Chloe down and she immediately reaches out to Blake who accepts her attention without hesitation.

“I’m glad you guys came out to support my first event. I'm in charge of everything, can you believe it?” Chloe says excitedly motioning to the chaos she’s in charge of. Blake wears a grin on his face and showers her with praise as Everette slowly tries to give them space. Everett backs away to the bar and finds a seat, and begins to slowly scan the menu. Suddenly someone sits beside him abruptly and slams her purse on the counter. Everett snaps his head to the stranger by him and immediately notices her choice to sit directly by him, at an otherwise empty bar.

“Bartender your sweetest merlot and the largest glass at that,” The beautiful stranger says. Everett immediately notices her beauty, long black hair, and deep olive skin. She wore a leather jacket that hid a red dress and he couldn't help but hope she would get warm and take the jacket off.

“Can I get you a glass too?” The stranger says, now looking directly at Everette shocking him back to reality.

“Oh god sorry didn't mean to stare that hard, er sorry a glass of what,” Everett says awkwardly, then mentally scolding himself for coming off so awkward.

“ A glass of merlot it’s the classiest of wines, people who drink it live longer haven’t you heard,” She says happily, staring at him. Everett notices his loss of words, he never feels like this because of a girl why now.

“ I don’t think I’ve quite heard that can’t argue with that logic though, besides I’m more of a bourbon kind of guy,” Everett says, motioning at the bartender to acknowledge his choice of words. The bartender nods in acknowledgment, but the strange girl holds up her hand to him.

“No wait, get him a glass of merlot on me” she says to the bartender, then turning back to Everette this time getting a little closer say’s, “ And if you don’t like it you can make me try any of the hard stuff on the wall.” She raises her eyebrows up at him enticing him to agree. Everett takes in the girl looking deep into her dark eyes, before begrudgingly looking to the bartender and giving a silent nod. The bartender begins to prepare their order, and the mysterious bar stranger leans back laughing cockily.

“See it’s always good to put your trust in a bar stranger” she laughs and Everette continues to be enamored by her. “ My name is Katherine by the way.” She says, finally giving him the last piece he just couldn't bring himself to ask.

“I’m Everette, nice to meet you” Everett responds quickly. The bartender places two glasses of merlot breaking their stare and drawing their attention to the drink.

“The moment of truth” Katherine giggles, then tips her glass towards him. Everette clinks his glass to hers and then brings it up to his nose, before taking a sip. He keeps his face stoic as he watches Katherine desperately search his face for a reaction.

“Well, come on how is it?” Katherine asks fervently, placing down her glass. Everett hesitates for a moment and then smiles before answering, “Might be quite the best thing I’ve ever had.” Everett says. He happily watches as Katherine erupts into a fit of giggles, “ Wow my career as a wine sommelier is so much closer than I thought.”, she says. Everett can’t help but entertain her happiness and continues drinking the glass, which he slowly begins to enjoy the more he drinks.

The pair sit and talk barely noticing as the night winds to an end and the bar slowly begins to close down. Blake re-emerges from the crowd and interrupts his brother right as he’s in the middle of an anecdote.

“Hey, who’s the girl you managed to trick into sitting down with you”, Blake says, slapping Everette on the back. Everett looks to his brother and immediately notices his drunken state, knowing he has to wrap up the situation quickly before he’s further embarrassed.

“Katherine, my very drunk, very younger brother Blake and we were just leaving,” Everett says, grabbing Blake's collar and pulling him away. As Everette begins to give his brother heat about embarrassing, a hand grabs his free one and he looks back. Katherine put his hand flat into her and quickly scribbled something on his palm.

“ Before you just disappear for the night, here.” Katherine say’s before releasing his hand. Everette glances down at his palm and see’s a number and the words “The Merlot Girl” scribbled under it. He looks up at her and smiles, “ Don’t think I can remember your name.” he says jokingly. Her eye’s sparkle and she responds, “ No more like a test to see if you can, night boys.” She says and without a second words turns and walks back towards the doors. Blake shakes his way out of Everett's grip and looks at his brother. “ Who was the fox?” he says with a bit of slur, reminding his brother it was time they headed out as well.

“I’m not sure, but I’m gonna find out.” He says staring at the hand writing scribbled on his palm a soft smile playing on his lips.