Hunter was an expert at being alone. It just happened to be his least favorite thing to do. He started his work days alone, using a key to enter an empty office building. He ate his lunch alone at his desk while everyone else went out for lunch. And, he left the office alone, using that same key to close up for the night. It seemed like the tradition would continue today judging by the time flashing on the bottom corner of his computer. 

His PA had bid him goodnight well over an hour ago and the office floor felt oddly quiet. Hunter gnawed on his bottom lip as he looked at the bathroom door to his right. Just behind that door he would find his back-up toothbrush and spare clothes. It would be easy to just spend the night again, allowing Hunter to avoid the cold condo he called home. But Hunter also wanted to make a Gin and Tonic and he only kept alcohol at his place—this eliminated the temptation of drinking on the job. Unfortunately, Hunter couldn’t avoid home and get drunk at the same time. So he set a new alarm:

Be at the bar by 11 pm

That time gave Hunter a few more hours to work. Which were a few less hours alone to his thoughts.

—————

Hunter made the decision because he felt unsettled. His driving was safe and efficient, the car temperature was slightly cool, and he followed the typical route. But typical didn’t feel like enough today. It was inevitable that after being the CEO of his company for 2 years, always sticking to the same schedules and routines, Hunter would want more. But now that the desire arrived, the young white man didn’t know what to do with it. His options were limited by the fact that he had work the next day. And, the stereotypical activity that came to mind—clubbing—sounded incredibly uninteresting. 

Hunter tilted his head as he peered through the window, watching how the lights reflected off of the glass. Several illuminated signs passed his eyes but one name suddenly caught his attention: Adonis. Lifting his head, Hunter could barely catch the sight of a bar floating further away as he drove. 

And one thought swam through his mind.

I need to go to that bar.

Making such a sudden U-turn wasn’t easy but after some tire screeching, furious wheel turning, and general fanfare, Hunter ended up in front of the sleek-looking bar.

At 27 years of age, Hunter wasn’t sure if Adonis was the sort of place he was expected to frequent. Younger guys were supposed to go to pubs and home-y bars where the lack of decor and cleanliness was a fun quirk that added to the charm. Adonis looked expensive, very upper-class. Eyeing the three-piece suit Hunter still had on, he relaxed. Maybe he would actually fit right in. 

Without another thought, Hunter pushed open the door, a gush of warm air hitting his body. The sound of small talk and laughter hit his ears, louder than the soft jazz music playing in the background. 

Hunter’s eye traveled over to the bar where sharply dressed men and women sipped carefully crafted drinks. Expensive, upper-class. The bar perfectly met the expectations created by the name, if not surpassing them. Hunter eyed some of the empty stools to the far left of the bar and decided that was where he would spend his evening.

While most people had to use the counter to pull themselves onto the stool, Hunter easily lowered himself onto the seat, his height making the motion effortless. He took another moment to survey the bar and its patrons as he shrugged out of his suit jacket, revealing the well-fitted vest underneath. Hunter had just placed the jacket over his knee when a bartender came in front of him.

“What can I get you to drink?”

Hunter looked up, the words ‘Gin and Tonic’ ready to leave his mouth when he stopped. Strong hands gripped the edge of the bar, prominent veins on display as the man had pushed up his shirt sleeves right before his elbows. Hunter’s eyes followed the veins up and up, seeing a strong chest covered by white linen except for the exposed skin that his open collar couldn’t cover. He finally took in the older man’s face, catching dark brown eyes which looked playful as they waited for Hunter to recite his order.

Oh

“I’ll have a Gin and Tonic,” Hunter stated as fast as he could, the blood rushing to his face and making his cheeks grow warm.

“You got it,” the bartender smirked, whipping a towel over his shoulder before he left.

In a fully packed bar with too quiet music and too many people, Hunter couldn’t freak out like he wanted to. So, he plopped his face into his hands instead. Even his attempts at rebelling had failed. He had never missed the quiet solitude of his office more. 

At work, Hunter didn’t get flustered. He couldn’t with all eyes on him, expecting to be led and guided. In the beginning, they expected him to fail. Most thought his father was crazy to pass on his small animation studio to his son at such a young age but Hunter had been groomed for that position his entire life. He welcomed the responsibilities and pressures, knowing they were a piece of the wonderful pie known as Stick Figure Animations. 

This wonderful pie, however, did not come without some challenges and even Hunter could use a strong drink every once in a while. A Gin and Tonic, to be precise. But he had just had to make things awkward with the bartender. Now, a solitary drink in his echoey condo sounded like a dream.

“Sorry for the wait. Here’s your drink.”

The blessed golden liquid was finally in front of him. Hunter held the cup gingerly, feeling just about ready to cry from pure joy. 

“Thank you,” Hunter enthused warmly, glancing up briefly at the bartender.

“You’re welcome-”

In seconds, Hunter had thrown the drink back, gulping down the burning liquid with such speed, the bartender was forced to simply stand there in awe. Hunter gasped, slamming his glass down and coughing against the fiery heat in his throat. 

“Sorry-” another cough, “I drank that a lot faster than I planned.”

The older man was smiling openly now and reached for Hunter’s now empty glass.

“I’m going to get you a refill,” he offered casually, turning away from Hunter’s embarrassed form. “On the house.”

“Wow, thank you-” Hunter cut himself off, realizing that he was missing a key bit of information. “What’s your name, by the way?”

“River,” he smirked, leaning against the counter in a borderline flirtatious manner which made Hunter’s face grow hot. 

“I’m Hunter, nice to meet you.”

River gave him a single nod in response, taking Hunter’s glass as he left. Within a few minutes, a new Gin and Tonic was returned to him and Hunter took his time to sip it classily as he first planned. River didn’t come to speak with him again for the rest of the night, but Hunter didn’t stop watching him. He reveled in the ease in which River crafted each drink, a fluid dance completed as he spoke with patrons simultaneously, resulting in a perfectly proportioned drink every time. 

What he found most interesting was the expression on the man’s face. Perpetually bright yet dark, flirty yet professional by all accounts. He was completely unreadable, like a guarded mask was constantly on his face. It effectively kept Hunter from getting any clear idea on how he felt at any given moment. It was a warning, keeping everyone around him at arm's length. Was it crazy that it made Hunter more curious, eager to find out what River felt the need to hide?

And so, Hunter’s mind continued to zero in on one complete stranger, his eyes staying glued to him from across the room. Nearly an hour later, River finally caught the eye of the man staring at him and Hunter whipped his head around so fast, he wondered why he was still sitting at that bar. What was he waiting for? River to come over and make a move on him? Did he really think that he could end 27 years of singledom and situationships with this handsome bartender? When each answer was a resounding no, Hunter realized it was time to go.

Hunter’s cup had long since been emptied so he reached into his wallet to find the right number of bills and folded the money underneath the glass. He hoped that considering how rich his clientele looked, River would get the large tip that Hunter left behind. His aim was for River to assume that was his way of paying for the second free drink he received. 

In reality, it was a thank you. After just an hour in his presence, Hunter was pulled out of his stress-induced funk. The pleasant hum of attraction now took its place. It was no love at first sight or anything remotely close. But Hunter enjoyed how he felt watching a handsome man at work all night. He expected this to be another memory that fell into the dark recesses of his mind since he would never see this attractive bartender again.

As Hunter pushed open the door to leave, the cool wash of the fresh night air flowing over his body. River paused in his work to watch the retreating man, chuckling under his breath.