Free The Impostor, A Love Story by Tiffany Carmouche Page A

that guy. I’ll never hear the end of it. I just want to give
it time so they will forget about it.”
    “So you were trying to spy on Dylan without
being noticed, and you crashed into some poor helpless guy and
spilled alcohol all over him?” She started laughing too. “You are
so funny, Nicole. Of all the guys that come in here, why are you
interested in the one guy who you know is a heartbreaker? When I
told you that you need to meet someone, I meant someone who at
least pretends to be a decent guy. What is wrong with you?”
She shook her head. “It’s cute, though. I don’t think I have ever
seen you act like this, even with Ronald. Poor unsuspecting guy,
soaking wet ‘cause you have a crush on someone. Look at you. You’re
beet red!”
    “Stop! Are you going to get the drinks or
not?”
    “I don’t know. I think it would be fun
watching you have to talk to them. Awe, they are still smiling at
you.”
    “Em, please?”
    “Of course, I will. I’m just giving you a
hard time.”

Chapter Nine
     
    I spent an hour on the phone with Jess before
going into work. She learned a new song at preschool and taught it
to me. Then she asked, “When I get to Alaska land, can we get a pet
bear? They are so cute.”
    I laughed, imagining little Jess walking
around with a grizzly bear on a leash. “We can visit some bears at
the zoo. Would that be okay?” I missed my angel so much.
     
    On Friday night, Dylan’s band was playing,
and the place was packed. Emily and I had worked the day shift but
decided to stay for the evening shift too. We looked forward to
making really good money—the more money I made, the faster I could
bring Jess to Alaska. And for me secretly, it was also a good
excuse to stay and hear Dylan play.
    Dylan’s band walked through the doors. They
would be playing at nine.
    “Have you heard The Fury yet?” I asked the
table of customers I was serving.
    “No, are they any good?” a rugged man asked
me, apparently just off one of the fishing boats.
    “They are. You should stay for them. You’ll
really like them.” I winked to the girls at the table—all of the
band members were so good looking, I knew that they would enjoy the
show!
    “Well, keep the drinks coming and we’ll
stay,” the fisherman said as he gave me his credit card to open the
tab. “Get a shot for yourself too. I insist!”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    “It’s Kenny, call me Kenny. Sir sounds way
too formal and makes me feel old.” He laughed. The hours passed,
and he bought me many more. I was beginning to feel a little
light-headed and stopped to stare at the stage for a moment, lost
in Dylan’s voice.
    “Nicole, another round.” Customers like
these made my job a party ! “And get yourself another one.”
Kenny noticed me gazing at the stage. The band finished a song and
the bar erupted in applause. “If you want, get some for the band”
He raised his voice over the cheering. “Let’s get them all shots
too.”
    I brought the tray of shots to the stage in
between songs. Dylan strolled over to me, winking at me when he
took the tray out of my hands. His thumb gently brushed against my
hands, and I couldn’t hold back my timid smile. The customer bought
us drinks all night. And with every trip to the stage, Dylan’s sexy
grin made me melt even more. I loved how the band played off each
other, and I blushed watching Dylan’s fingers as he tickled the
strings of his guitar.
    My secret crush was getting really bad. The
fact I hadn’t seen him go home with any girls lately made it even
worse.
     
    At the end of the evening, I pulled the money
out of my pockets and walked to the bar, counting it. I loved
cashing in my tips on nights like these. Smiling at the fives and
tens in my pile, I leaned against the bar, waiting to trade the
ones in for bigger bills.
    The lights went on and everyone started
cleaning up. As the band began putting away all their equipment,
Dylan made his way up to the bar. Oh my god, why was he