Alright, part two to Bartender!Reader x Ghost, because I have the idea of this part and I didn't want to lose it.
You didn't see Ghost again at the bar until two months later, when you almost had forgotten about him completely. It was a really busy night, with you overworked, but you kept pushing through. Even with the amount of patrons who were flirting with you. It was so hectic, you didn't even notice Ghost had walked in and perched himself onto a barstool at the bar.
"Ray, you know I adore you but for the last time, I'm not going out with you," you said as you simultaneously made drinks for other patrons while letting down one of the regulars as gently as you could. You slid over drink after drink to patrons before turning your gaze to Ray, this older man who always complimented on your looks.
Ray gave you a small smile, as if he wasn't doing anything wrong. "Ah, come on, sweetheart. Just give me one chance," he replied, pouting at you as he drank the glass of rum and vodka you had given him. "Don't you always say I'm your favorite regular?"
You sighed as you continued to serve others, moving to take their orders. "Yeah, Ray. But you're going to become my least favorite regular if you keep asking."
"Seriously, what is the harm from going out with on one date, {Name}? Huh?" Ray asked, about to move from his seat to get to where you were at the bar.
Until Ghost finally spoke up from all the way on the other side of the bar. "Leave them alone," he said, his voice booming.
You finally noticed him and smiled in thanks, but Ray was still persistent. "Hey, buddy, mind your own business. I'm having a conversation with them, one that doesn't involve you," he growled.
Ghost turned his head in Ray's direction and stared into the other man's eyes, having a staring contest with him. "It does involve me, buddy. Especially since {Name} is my partner." He got off the barstool and walked over to where Ray was sitting, towering over him. "So back off, because I'm not afraid of spending a night in jail because I beat you up."
Ray grew quiet before turning to you and apologizing. He quickly finished his drink and closed out his tab. You had never seen the older man run out of the bar before, but he did so shortly after paying his tab.
"Thanks," you said to Ghost when he took Ray's spot.
You were about to thank him further for using the same ruse you had when Ghost had been being flirted with two months ago, but it seemed like Ghost wasn't done using the ruse. Especially since others were still giving you seductive looks.
"No need to thank me, darling," Ghost replied, drawing out the petname as he said it. He leaned forward, resting his larger, gloved hand on your bare, calloused one. "That's what partners are for, hm? I think I'll stay tonight, make sure no one else bothers my beloved."
You were speechless for a moment. It felt right to have this man, this stranger, pretend to be your boyfriend. Your mind was focused on the way Ghost's thumb swiped across the back of your hand, the gesture so soothing.
You eventually found your voice and nodded, giving him a smile. "Okay, baby," you responded, using the petname to further the ruse. "You drinking a glass of whiskey tonight?" You got to making his drink when he nodded.
Throughout the night, he did stay and acted like a guard dog. Several times, a patron would come up to the bar and flirt with you, and Ghost would basically growl at them before you could get a word out. By closing time, every regular was convinced you and Ghost were dating.
Usually, your shift ended with one of the regulars asking if they could accompany you home, but this time, they were all silent as you walked out from behind the bar after punching out. You closed down the bar, kicking out all the regulars and Ghost made sure you made it to your car safely.
You turned to him as you stood beside your car. You wanted to thank him again, but that didn't seem like it was enough. So you reached out and grabbed his wrist when he turned to leave. You leaned up, pressing a kiss to his balaclava-covered cheek. "You're a good man, Ghost. Anyone would be lucky to have you, I was lucky to be your pretend partner tonight."
With that, you got into your car and buckled up, driving away. You were unaware of Ghost staring at where your car had been, plotting on ways to make this pretend relationship real.
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