A.J. strolled the streets without his usual pack of bodyguards with him. He was staying the week in New York to do a bunch of promotion for their new album and it was a Wednesday night with nothing to do. Kevin and Kristin went to a movie, Brian and Leighanne rented a movie, Nick was stuck in his hotel room trying to get to level 5 on his new play station game and Howie was sleeping. AJ needed to get out of the hotel and hang out. He walked down an unfamiliar street and saw a couple of teenaged girls with their dads. "Uh-oh.." he thought. He didn't feel like getting recognized tonight. Usually he'd accept fans with wide arms but he was too tired. He saw a small bar in front of him and dodged in line. He got out his ID and got into the bar quickly. The place was very unfamiliar to him. He thought he has been to all the bars in NYC. He looked at the door and saw the flashing sign that said "Bar None". "Bar None? What the hell are they smoking?" he thought. The bar was really crowded and he pushed his way up to the counter. Suddenly, loud music started blaring and he saw 4 girls jump on top of the counter and started dancing. They would usually stop and fix a drink then start dancing again. AJ lit up. He knew he was gonna like this bar. He watched the girls clog dance with their cowboy boots. A lot of people were cheering and dancing along. He finally made it up to the counter.
"Hey, what do you want?" shouted a girl from behind the counter.
"Huh..?" AJ stumbled when he saw her. She had piercing green eyes, fair skin and blonde hair that barely touched her shoulders. The very tips of her blonde hair were dyed blue and she was wearing a tank top and fitting leather pants. She stood there impatiently.
"Well?!" she shouted over the music.
"Uh...whatever. A jack," he stumbled. He'd never seen anyone so beautiful in his life. She had a look of confidence he has never seen before and walked with grace. She took out a shot glass and poured his drink.
"5 bucks!" she shouted. He fished out the money. He watched her serve other people. "Talk to her you idiot!" he told himself.
"Has this place always been here?" he asked her, as she was pouring drinks.
"I dunno, I started here about 3 months ago," she replied. He smiled. He didn't think she would respond with all the loud music and the screaming customers. His drink sat in front of him.
"What's your name?" AJ asked. He pushed away all his nerves and switched to his flirt drive.
"What?" she shouted.
"Name?!" he replied.
"Hold on," she said. She served a couple customers on the other end of the counter and came back.
"Hey Jess, get down and help me here!" she cried out. A bubbly red-head jumped down and started helping.
"Sorry, what was that?" she said, returning to AJ.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Gwen," she shouted over the music. She looked at his full shot glass. "Ya gonna drink that?"
"How about I buy one for you and we'll toast it off," AJ said.
"Sorry, I don't drink," she said. "WHAT?! She works in a bar and doesn't drink?!"
"Why not?" he asked.
"What?!" she shouted, now pouring drinks for 5 guys who just sat down. AJ waited till she was free and he watched her. She looked so elegant and stunning. AJ was taken back. He was never the one who tried to keep a conversation going. Usually, girls would throw themselves at him and talk non stop. This time was different. She was different. She walked back over to him.
"Sorry, it's hard to have a conversation with all this music," she shouted.
"I understand. Maybe we can get together for lunch sometime and talk then," he suggested, picking up his glass.
"Sorry, no can do," she replied.
"Why not? Boyfriend?"
"Nope, I can't date customers," she smiled. AJ held the glass away from his mouth when he heard that.
"Here! I didn't even drink it. I'm not a customer anymore," he smiled slyly. She smiled and shook her head. "So, how about it?"
"We'll see," she replied. AJ was surprised. Whenever he'd ask out a girl before, they'd scream yes before he could finish. He never had a challenge before, and he liked it. He felt his heart beat faster every time she looked back at him. He fell for her. Hard.
"Well, I'm in town all week, so maybe we'll bump into each other," he suggested.
"Maybe," she smiled. This was going to be a fun chase. An even better catch.
~~~~~~~~
"Thanks Jill! See ya tomorrow," Gwen said as she grabbed her bag. It was 3 AM and the bar was closing. She was getting ready to go to her apartment and sleep. George, the bouncer who was 6'7" and 300 lbs (and the nicest guy in the world) always walked the girls out and got them a cab safely. She met up with George at the door. They walked outside and she saw AJ standing against the wall waiting for her.
"Hey!" she cried out. He looked over and smiled.
"Hey," he said, walking over to him.
"So not only do you try to hit on me when I'm working, you try when I get off too?" she laughed. AJ blushed. "AH! I'm blushing. I never blush!"
"Nah, I realized that I'm gonna be really busy tomorrow and I might not get a chance to come back tomorrow night," he said. She studied him. He was wearing a simple black cowboy hat, a blue tank top and black leather pants. He was a little taller than her and he was very skinny.
"Well....I was gonna get a bite to eat, wanna come?" she asked.
"Sure," he said. She looked back at George and nodded. He smiled and walked back into the bar. AJ quickly walked next to her so he was next to the street and not her. She smiled at his manners.
"Damn, I haven't even introduced myself," AJ said, "I'm AJ." He stopped and shook her hand.
"I know who you are," she replied. "We play your new CD all the time," she said. She looked at his outfit. "So, do you always wear black and blue?" she asked, laughing at the obvious pun. AJ smiled.
"No actually, we were on TRL today promoting our album and I just never got a chance to change," he said. They walked down the street and AJ watched her walk. She walked with such grace.
"Ohh..this place is open," she said, pointing to a diner open 24 hours. He agreed and they walked in. Gwen ordered breakfast and AJ ordered a cup of coffee.
"So, do you usually eat breakfast at 3:10 AM?" AJ asked.
"Yeah, depends on how wired I am," she replied.
"So, you work at a bar but you don't drink...?" AJ asked again.
"Yeah, I figured I'm the safest bartender they got. And it pays well," she said, taking out a hand full of tips she made that night, "I make $200 a night plus tips."
"Wow, that's almost better than me," AJ said. She smiled. He loved her smile. Their food came and he watched her eat. She enjoyed his company with her.
"So, don't you have like a thousand fans running after you?" she asked, taking a sip of her orange juice.
"Nah...I get recognized more than the other guys but no one knew who I was tonight," he said. She was finished and the check came. They both went to grab it but AJ was quicker.
"Haha," he said, sticking his tongue out. She sighed.
"Come on, lemme pay. That so wasn't a date," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Okay...I'll let you pay...on one condition.." he said, raising his eyebrows, "you go on a real date with me and let me pay."
"I just met you," she said.
"I know. We can get to know each other," he smiled. She wasn't known to give into guys quickly.
"Maybe.." she said. He stuck out his lip and looked into her eyes. She couldn't help herself. He got to her. "Fine," she sighed. He smiled triumphantly and paid the bill anyways. They walked outside.
"My hotel is that way," he said, pointing in the opposite direction.
"Well, my apartment is this way," she said. "I guess this is where we split."
"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you there? New York City isn't exactly safe," he said. She shrugged.
"Nah, I'll catch a cab," she said. AJ looked on the road and saw a stray taxi and hailed it down. It pulled up to the curb.
"When should I call you?" he asked, as he opened the door.
"Well, I work tomorrow so how about around...3-ish?" she said. "3-ish..too cute," he thought. She scribbled down her number with a pen from her bag. He smiled and shook her hand goodbye.
"Bye Gwen," he said, shutting the door. She waved and drove off.
~~~~~~~~~
Chapter One
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© Brittany 2001
