The booth

Without hesitation Hunter seated himself in the booth, sliding into its rich leather bench in the dim light of a corner of the lounge.

"Good evening sir, so glad you could join us tonight," a pretty red haired waitress smiled as she put a menu in front of him. "I'm Millie, and I'll be looking after you. Can I get something started for you or do you need a few minutes with the menu?"

"A Oaxaca Old Fashioned please Millie, and you can call me Hunter," he smiled, pushing the menu aside.

"An excellent choice, Hunter! I'll get that right up." he nodded and gave a happy sigh as he looked around the bar, taking pleasure in the dark wood and the ranks of bottles displayed. The bartenders dressed like it was 1925, or at least in a tribute to the era, and Hunter loved the understated but no less convivial atmosphere of the place. The waitresses tended to the traditional little black cocktail dress, or some variant thereof, most of them looking pretty tasty. Millie wore a pair of oversized heart shaped glasses that looked like a throwback to the sixties and made her pixie face look guileless and stunning.

"One Oaxaca Old Fashioned," Millie said as she bent over to place the drink in front of him, giving him a discreet glimpse of her modest cleavage. Their hands touched for a moment on the table and she gave a sharp gasp, pressing her lips together. "Will anyone be joining you tonight Hunter?" she asked with a breathy sigh.

"Yes, I'm expecting a young lady to join me soon."

"Lucky girl," the redhead murmured, her eyes making promises as she stood up. "If she doesn't show, I'd be willing to step in for her," she added with a teasing wink.

"That's very sweet," he chuckled, touching the back of her hand again and making her shiver before turning to walk away, giving Hunter a sultry glance over her shoulder as she wagged her rump at him. He smiled and took a sip of his drink, savouring the blend of Mezcal, Tequila and bitters as he let it roll around on his tongue. Hunter felt a touch on his arm and turned to see Carlotta standing anxiously beside the booth

"I could only get twenty minutes. My pendejo manager is being a dick. But I had to see you Hunter. I had to do that." Her lovely face was crumpled with sadness and she kept her hand resting on his arm. Hunter could smell the delicious musk of her aroma as she wriggled slightly, her eyes glittering.