"You know what, Maddie?" Greta asked while straightening up the chairs in the lobby. "All I see you do is work and—well work."

Maddie set her coffee on her desk and looked towards the office door. The sun had a beautiful way of making a little rainbow right at the entrance. "That's simply not true, Greta. Just the other day I went to have lunch with the board."

"Oh, well I bet that was just too dandy for words there, Maddie." Greta pushed a chair back. "Did you write Nana about that?"

Maddie groaned. "I'm fine, Greta. I'm still new, remember? Besides, my lack of adventure and love life should not affect you. It's not like I'm contagious."

Greta looked up at her and smiled. She loved her new boss, but often she found the woman a glutton for punishment. "I didn't say that. What I am saying is that you'll never find someone worth meeting if you hang under the geriatric committee. You're young and vibrant. It's time to shake that thang!"

Maddie shook her head at Greta's comment.

"Please don't start, Greta. This thang as you so call it, needs to hit the gym before I can even think about shaking it. And as far as the geriatric committee goes, it's not by choice. My landlord never fails to invite me."

Maddie walked over to the door, careful not to step in the rainbow, and turned the sign to 'Open'. She didn't care to be holed up with the oldest people in town, constantly grilling her about her life. As if there was something to talk about? She remembered two weeks ago when she had one margarita too many and politely summarized her life for one of them.

"Let's see...I'm one-eighth Pawnee, my Nana's been declared as crazy by my family—p.s. she's never been committed, my ex-boyfriend nearly destroyed my life—which brought me way out here to care for your sick and mistreated animals. Oh, and I have the worst tolerance for alcohol. Can't you tell?"

She was hoping that outburst would permanently ban her from anymore obligation to the lunches. Unfortunately, it made her a hit at the lunch and now her landlord, Miss Carraway is much more diligent in getting her to come.

Greta plopped down in her seat thumbing through a magazine on her desk. "I know you don't care for those lunches. Why not check out a bar or movie or something? Just get out and meet others like you for a change?"

"And what about you, Miss Pot-calling-the-kettle?" Maddie said as she opened the blinds more.

Greta blew a raspberry. "I need a break, that's all. Besides, you gotta be careful about the guys here."

"Yeah, I know. I had the pleasure of meeting Greg last night."

"Ah, don't let too many Gregs spoil it. There's a lot of guys here that are super cute and super available."

"What's the catch?" She walked past her to check on Comrade. "Isn't there always one?"

Greta followed her. "Well, they are not in the safety of the town hall that's for damn sure." Her face softened as she saw Comrade wagging his tail slowly in his large kennel. "Look at him!"

Maddie turned to look at her. "Don't get him too excited. I don't want him struggling to move too much. It's good to see him up, though." She rubbed his ears through the kennel and stood up. "Now what were you seducing me into now?"

" I know it may not be your style, but there are tons of hangouts, bars and pool halls where there are men to rev some engines."

Maddie frowned. "Bars? No thank you." She leaned against the wall. "Doesn't everyone tell people that bars are the worst place to meet someone?"

"Well, those people don't live here. It's not like doctors and lawyers don't frequent bars as well, Madeline. At least be open to it, you never know." Tugging her lab coat, Greta winked at her.

The entrance bell rang and Greta peered out the double-door window.

"Here comes Bill and his neurotic tabby. I'll get them set up." She glanced at Maddie. "I won't haggle you anymore for today. Promise." With that she burst through the double doors as if she was awaiting the paparazzi. The woman always knew how to make her exits and entrances larger than life.

As the last hour was coming to a close, Maddie sat in Greta's desk for a moment. She had let her go early to pick up her son and was pretty sure that the last little bit of time would be uneventful. Often she liked to look at the town from her office. The buildings were so neat, yet old-fashioned and antique. It was one thing she loved about the eastern seaboard, and this town. The beauty in the classic.

Very little of the town went with modern architecture and she couldn't have been more grateful. She walked over to the door where she saw people on the sidewalks passing by and saw the bar across the street from her. It was still part of the antique buildings but had a much different aura, it seemed. Riko's, as the bar was named, didn't look like a dive from the outside and she saw many men and a few women enter the bar, which gave her the impression it was popular.

Maybe Greta was right. Perhaps she should go venturing out of the safety of people she had nothing in common with. She was lonely, she'd admit, but despite that she was leery of jumping into anything. Her last relationship was less than stellar and had no intention of repeating that failure in her life. Ever.

Maddie bit her lip indecisively and then smiled. "A little drink in a new environment may be good for me." She flipped the sign to 'CLOSED' and slowly turned her blinds as Riko's Bar was the last thing she focused on.

Maddie found herself frozen at the entrance of the bar, as if she reason with her legs to step in. No one really paid attention to her, the bar was as typical as anything could be. Right down to the scantily clad waitresses leaning over passing their orders to boisterous men. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. What was it that felt so eerie about the place?

She hadn't realized she was still blocking the entrance until she heard a voice so close in her ear, she felt the heat of his breath, "Excuse me,"
Maddie jumped at the sensation and moved to the side as she caught eye of the incredibly tall and thick figure of a man pass by her. She barely leveled his throat! He was looking at her then, so she could in turn see him. His body was bulky and muscular, incredibly proportioned, as was his strongly chiseled face. His long black hair was pulled into a ponytail with a streak of silver near his left temple. It was the only thing on him that told her he was perhaps older than he looked.
But he still looked twenty.
"You are leaving us so soon, are you?" He eyed her with a charming smile.
"Actually, I'm ..."
"Still deciding?," he cut her off, eyeing her intently. His smile seemed more of an hidden agenda as she noticed his eyes lingering on her breasts just a tad too long.
What the hell, Maddie? He's a man and you have breasts. Frankly, the mathematics is done on this issue.
She returned his smile and stepped inside.
"Nice. You'll be fine here. I won't let anything hurt you." He followed her as she headed to the barstools.
"Oh?," she said inquisitively. He pulled back the stool for her so she could sit. Maddie was flattered by his chivalrous action. "Are you the bouncer here?"

Before he could help himself he scowled at her. "Honey, do I like I'm a bouncer?"
Maddie was confused at his question. He looked insulted. She was going to honestly say 'yes' if she knew any better, until she saw him burst in laughter. Great. The butt of a joke so soon.
He pushed himself off the bar and started to walk towards the counter entrance. "I'm only kidding, honey. But you were close," he flipped the counter section up and stepped in, "I own the place."

Maddie returned the smile he gave her. "Hmmm. Then you must be..."

"Riko Otarian at your service." He gave a mimicking bow of a civilized gentlemen.

She couldn't help but laugh. It was an odd visual indeed. Though he sounded respectable, the man reminded her of a overgrown rock star. The irony was amazing. "Nice to meet you. My name is Madeline."

Eyeing her, he flung his towel over his shoulder. "Pleasure's all mine. What can I get you to drink?" He continued to pull up shot glasses, then grabbed the bottle next to him.

Maddie never knew what to get at bars to drink. She hated beer, but it was the most laid back choice. "Can I have a pint of your dark lager?"

Riko gave her a surprised look, lifting his brows. "I'm impressed. You're a brave one."

She shrugged. "It's all I ever really drink."

Between his waitresses and him serving, he broke away and poured her a draught pint and served it to her with a grin. "Here you go, love."

"Thanks," She took a sip and pulled back to reach into her purse. Riko shook his head.

"This one's on the house."

"I can't do that." Shaking her head, she continued to search in her purse.

"Sure you can. Just lift your hands off the purse slowly and put them where I can see them."

Amused, she found herself doing as he asked, placing her hands flat on the counter. She could learn to take a kind gesture she supposed. "Yes Sir." Maddie pulled the glass back to her and took a sip smiling. "Thank you."

Riko tucked his towel in his back pocket. "You're welcome."

Maddie looked around the bar, trying to glance briefly and not to rudely stare. The only women really were the waitresses, who seemed to be built to perfection. Both wore tight t-shirts with the bar's name scrawled across the chest and wore different variations of a jean skirt. The blonde waitress kept winking at Riko when they didn't think Maddie noticed. Part of her was a bit envious of their flirting. She used to remember being cheeky and flirty with Eric. Although he often didn't reciprocate, the attitude of it made her feel wanted and happy. It had been so long since anyone managed to make her feel coveted and desirable.

"You good on drinks for now?" Riko asked as he poured some whiskey into a glass. "I have to step out and run an errand."

Maddie stared at her glass, which she barely put a dent in the lager. She was able to nurse a beer forever. She shook her head. "Nope. I'm good. Thanks."

He nodded then whistled at the blonde waitress who played eye ping-pong with him earlier. She looked up, smiling and strode towards the counter.

"Yes Reeks, what's up?" The blonde asked with an unmistakable deep Southern accent. Her hair was pulled into a neat bun with two stray tendrils curled against her tanned face. She smiled ear to ear as her breasts rode up against the counter as she leaned. Riko definitely had his hands full.

He tossed her the keys. "Dana, hold down the fort while I check up on something. I shouldn't be too long, and these knuckle heads are all supplied with fresh drinks so everything should be good for now."

Dana jammed the keys into her pocket. "Okay. Will do."

Maddie watched Riko pop out to the back and disappear while Dana prepared some drinks and proceeded to take them to her customers. As her eyes followed the woman out to the house, she caught sight of a someone eyeing her. He sat near the front closest to the door, leaning to his seat casually. Smiling at her. Maddie cut her eyes from him, thinking perhaps he was looking at some poster or something.

Clearly he wasn't looking at her, was he?

Sipping her beer, she thought to turn around again, just to be sure. Indeed, the handsome blonde was looking at her. He was dressed in leather pants and a black tee, which hugged his torso slightly. The guy was extremely muscular with tattoos around his wrist. If he wasn't smiling at her, she would think him quite menacing. Despite her confusion , she smiled back.

What the hell? Be open, Greta says. So here I am. Open.

Maddie appeared concerned as the mysterious guy's smile suddenly faded.

"Hi, there." A thick voice rumbled in her ear behind her.

Maddie turned around to find a tall cherry blond man with a goatee grinning at her. Slightly startled by his sneak attack, she scooted to her left. Whoa, today must have be her lucky day. Guys are all over the place. Though she wasn't a sucker for redheads, the guy was tall and looked like a rock star as well. A young rock star.

"I'm sorry, honey. Did I scare you?

Maddie gave him a nervous laugh. "Sorry, you just surprised me. Hi." She extended her hand and he shook it gently.

"Hi yourself. What's your name, love?"

"Madeleine. Everyone calls me Maddie."

"Would you like a drink, Maddie?"

Her answer was cut off by a ruckus behind her. Turning around, she saw the blonde man glaring at them, his chair and table knocked over onto the floor. He looked wild and feral, not charming as he was before. The blond came up to her and in reaction she slid off the barstool only to become sandwiched between both men. As Maddie looked to the redhead, her body went rigid as he was fuming just as much as the blonde.

"You son of a bitch!" The blonde hissed past her to his rival. "You should back down and walk away now!"

The redhead gave a sinister grin. "Like hell I will. Let's not get juvenile, okay. It's obvious the lady isn't interested."

Both continued to shout obscenities at each other, snarling like mindless beasts.

Great, just what I need. A tug of war between two giants that can tear me in two.

Maddie stretched her arms out in attempt to distance them further, yet it was barely any use. Their voices were so loud, she barely heard herself trying to speak to them in efforts to calm them down. She didn't know either of the men and had no clue what either of them was capable of.

Where's Riko when you need him? "

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