First Date

Harley

The Wolf was the definition of an average bar.

From the outside, it didn’t look like much. In fact, when I stepped out of the cab and looked up at the wooden doors set with iron hinges, my first thought was, this hardly looks like the right setting for a first date.

I adjusted my purse strap on my shoulder, lifted my chin, and stepped up onto the curb. I walked toward the doors and a middle-aged man coming out held it open for me. I thanked him, and as soon as I stepped inside, I was hit by the greasy aroma deep-fried food.

The bar had a small-town tavern vibe. The furniture was all heavy-looking wood in dark cherry that matched the bar sprawled across the back wall. A giant mural of a wolf’s head hung in the middle of the bar and was flanked by shelves on either side loaded down with bottles of liquor.

It was busy as hell.

Almost every table was taken, and every stool at the bar was occupied, save one at the very end.

I looked around for the man I was supposed to meet.

I’d onl