"So, what do you do, Beth?"

"I just realized, I never asked what it is that you do, and I don't think Brian ever mentioned it."
{if Masseuse = 1
}"I'm a massage therapist." Beth answered simply. "In fact, I have to get going in a little bit to a personal session." She eyed the clock, and calculated the time she would need to get to Mr. Hardy's house. "Yeah, I've got to leave in about twenty minutes actually." Jeez. We've been talking for a while.
"Oooh, that's a sweet gig. After the Corps, I could use some work myself." Kyle stretched his arms over his head, working his back with a wince. "My back's never been the same since...." his voice trailed off and he got quiet. his eyes were suddenly looking far away.
Beth knew she shouldn't pry, but she couldn't help herself. "You were wounded?"
Kyle sighed, "Yes and no. My humvee got hit by an IED, two miles outside of Aleppo. I just fucked up my back, honestly. My squad....well they weren't so lucky."
Fuck... "Jesus, Kyle. I'm sorry I shouldn't have..."
"It's ok. Doc told me I need to talk about it, if I can. Can't bottle it up." Kyle lifted his shirt to show off his left torso. Beth bit her lip at the sight of his fit body. Damn.... Along his ribcage were tattoos: Three names, stylized inside dogtags, with the date of **** over all of them. Jesus...it happened two months ago. "I carry them with me now."
"Damn... those must have hurt, right over the ribcage..." Beth said half to herself.
"...that was the idea..." The big, muscular Marine blinked, and Beth was surprised to see that his eyes were glassy and wet. {elseif@ Bartender = 1
}"I'm a bartender. {if History = 0
}This nice little pub near the college. Not really the "bouncer" type place, or I'd try to get you a gig there."
"Funny. I didn't picture you as a bartender. I don't know why." Kyle yawned out the last few words. "Sorry. Jet lag."{else
}A place called Bottoms Up." Kyle's eyes widened a little. "Oh, you know it?"
"Uh..." Kyle gave a nervous chuckle. "Yeah...I know it. You serious?"
"Why?" Beth preened a little. "Don't I look like I could be a Bottoms Up girl?"
"Definitely...It's just..." his face was turning red again. "I know Brian, and he's always been kind of a...."
{if Shame < 50
}"Dweeb?" Beth laughed.
{elseif Shame < 70
}"Prude?" Beth couldn't really disagree. {else
}"...a what?" {endif
}
"A shy guy. Not the kind of guy to pull a Bottoms Up bartender."
"Well, against all odds, that's what he did." Suddenly, Beth realized something. "Oh, shit. We just lost a bouncer last week! I could put in a good word for you!"
Kyle gave her a surprised look. "You'd do that?"
"Of course! I'd love to have my big strong brother-in-law there looking out for us girls." {if Shame < 50
}{if Kinky = 1
}Beth licked her lips. And after work he could pin me down with those big, strong arms...ahem. {else
}Beth punctuated her words with a coy smile. Kyle swallowed hard. {endif
}{endif
}
"Well, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth." Kyle said, yawning. "I appreciate the good word."{endif
}
Beth glanced at the clock. 10:55. Gotta start getting ready to go to lunch. "I've got to get going, I'm having lunch with my maid of honor, Lisa." An idea suddenly occurred to her. "You should totally come! It's important for the maid of honor to meet the best man!"
Kyle looked uncertain. "I don't know, Beth. Jet lag's starting to hit me..." his voice sounded conflicted, though. {if Shame <50
}Eager to spend more time with me, perhaps?{endif
}{endif
}