"Brandy! Fetch another round!" Brandy smirked at Marvin, a regular. "On the way!" She called, and passed the drinks down the bar. Brandy was a girl that was a little on the pudgy side, but definitely not unattractive. Her long auburn hair was flowing down her back and her fringe-like bangs stuck to her forehead thanks to the crisp, salty sea air. Her hazel eyes gleamed in mischief. 

She wore a loose white shirt that had yellowed slightly and when the sea hit her hugged her curves just right. "I heard we have a new sailor coming to the harbor." Marvin said to Brandy. "Really? Is that so?" It wasn't odd to have a new sailor. "Yeah, and he's big time. He does big shipments across the world." Brandy nodded as she poured Charles a drink. Marvin did tinier shipments that consist more of traveling from harbor to harbor rather than state to state or country to country. 

"Charles! Haven't seen you in a while!" Marvin patted him on the back with his rough, calloused hand. "I had a big shipment to Fresno, so I was gone for a few weeks." Charles explained, his light brown eyes not so subtly focused on Brandy even though he was technically talking to Marvin. "You know what, Brandy?" He put his drink down and stared so his eyes burned into hers. "Yeah?" She stopped scrubbing the counter top and looked at him, her hazel eyes also having a challenging glint to them. "I think you'd make a great wife, Brandy." Brandy scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Ooh yeah. I'd love if you became mine, Brandy." Marvin grinned. 

Suddenly the door slammed open and 5 more sailors came in. "Brandy!" They all exclaimed. She smiled at them and they seated at the barstools like Charles and Marvin. "Ya know what these barnacles said? Ya know what they said? They said I'd make a good wife." Brandy laughed to the big group of sailors. "Aw, did they already claim you?" Whined a sailor named Jack. "I've been thinking about you that whole trip, you know, Brandy." Jack eyed her up and down for a second. "I made a trip to Washington and I met the president!" Bragged Jack. "And you know what I told him, Brandy, you know what I told him." Brandy leaned across the counter top so she was inches from Jack's face. "What." 

"I said I think he'd like to meet Brandy Williams." 

Brandy laughed, loud and hard. "I'm serious, baby, I was thinking about you that entire trip and couldn't rush to get back fast enough." Brandy rolled her eyes and giggled slightly. "Mhmm. And I'm the Queen of England!" Jack backed down and sat back down in his seat. "I will have you one day, Brandy, one day." Brandy turned around and served him his usual. 

"Brandy, you're a fine girl." Charles winked at her and Brandy sighed. She was flattered she was so desired by these men but also knew they had flings with girls all around the world and didn't know if she could trust them in that sort of way. Careen, a woman sailor, patted her on the back. "Men are dogs, Brandy. Find the dog that's most appealing." They both laughed. 

Then a man strode through the door, one Brandy didn't recognize. "Brandy, look, a new sailor!" Marvin shook her arm but Brandy just stared at the sailor in awe. "Is this The Salty Codger?" Asked the sailor in a gruff, masculine voice that sent shivers down Brandy's spine. "Yes! Yes it is!" Brandy ran out of behind the counter and shook the new sailor's hand. "I'm Brandy, the bartender." She said. "Hi Brandy." The way he said her name made her smile big. "I'm River." 

She absolutely loved his name. 

"Hi River. I'm sure you'll become a regular here." She winked at him and rushed behind the counter to pass Charles another drink. River sat at a barstool and looked curiously at the girl behind the bar. He had never met a woman bartender- he'd had his fair share of women, even at his young age. While the sailors had the conversation about their homes among themselves, and their lovely wives they had waiting for them back home. Although most of them had wives, it was River, Marvin and Charles who had no lady to wait for them. "Stop bragging, I'm sure your precious Loretta is the fattest bitch in all the land." 

Marvin laughed. Morgan, a married sailor, punched him right in the jaw. "Listen here, fucker-" Marvin punched Morgan  right back and soon a full-on brawl started happening. Brandy stormed right out of the bar and pulled the grown men apart. "You don't insult women like that you greasy piece of shit," Brandy said to Marvin and pushed Morgan away from the scene. "Listen here all of your wives are beautiful and I'm sure they're waiting for you so GET A MOVE ON." Brandy pushed the married men out of the bar and was alone with Marvin, Charles and River. Brandy glared at Marvin. "You're a bitch, Marvin." She growled out to him. "What? People around here bragging up a storm to the men without wives-" 

Brandy rolled her eyes. "When I'm sitting here wishing you had my ring around your finger, dearest." Brandy pretended to gag. "Sorry, what was that?" Marvin scowled and turned back to his whiskey. A deep chuckle came from River and Brandy felt heat crawling up her neck. "I don't know if I've met such a headstrong, confident girl." River muttered, swirling the liquor in his glass. "You're missing out." Charles said, eyeing Brandy up as she poured him another glass of straight Vodka. 

"Charles, my eyes are up here." Brandy said smugly, smirking. Charles smiled at her sheepishly. "You men and your urges." Brandy rolled her eyes. "You roll your eyes too much, sweetheart." Charles said fondly, still staring at her. She stared him straight at him. "Really? What would you like them to do more often?" He bit his lip and leaned forward in his seat so he was centimeters from her face, and still she didn't flinch. "I can think of a few things." He mumbled, his eyes suddenly dark. He leaned in for a kiss and when he didn't feel Brandy's lips he opened his eyes to see Brandy getting another drink for Marvin. 

Charles huffed and continued sipping on his Vodka. "I will have you, Miss Brandy Williams." Brandy brushed him off.