Confused - Until Bart Met Noah - 2. No, Not That Noah

The weekend before his move, Bart rented a truck in Melbourne and emptied his apartment. His office at the Hyatt SLH was attached to a hotel room. He generally didn't use it, so it was often rented. For his final week, he'd stay in that room and live out of a garment bag. Suits were his preferred attire. He was leaving on good terms, so his district manager approved the free use of the room for the week. He would have a similar setup at the Hilton and would begin that job living there for almost four weeks, until the first of the next month, when he could move into an apartment near the new hotel.

Bart had just started his third week at the Hilton. He occasionally relaxed after work, having a Fat Tire at the bar. Bart wasn't a big drinker. One beer was his norm, and it was usually warm by the time he finished it. If he finished it. He occasionally had two, especially after a trying day. So far, his time in St. Augustine hadn't reached that level of stress.

Being nearly on the beach, a significant number of hotel bar patrons were travelers. This was definitely true for Avilés, which is what the Restaurant & Lounge was called.

A very tall, pale, blond-headed man walked into the bar and looked around. After spotting Bart sitting alone at the bar, the man walked up to Bart. It was approaching 6:30 PM on a Monday evening, and the bar itself was fairly full, while empty tables were numerous. Bart always sat at one end, to allow customers drinking together to more easily sit together. The stool next to his was one of only three open.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"Not at all."

"Thanks. Fat Tire? What's that?"

"Just your basic pale ale. I started drinking them years ago after watching the series 'Bosch' on Prime."

"Sounds interesting."

The man waved down the bartender.

"Yes, sir. How can I help you?"

"I'd like to try a Fat Tire, like this gentleman has."

"Very well, sir."

The staff at the hotel was instructed not to make a big deal whenever Bart was in the hotel, but not working. If he wanted the customer or customers to know he was the manager, he'd share that himself. Unless it was obvious because he was called due to some kind of issue, that is.

The blond gentleman continued the conversation, "So, coming or going?"

"Neither, actually. I'm a local."

"Oh, okay. A Hilton hotel bar doesn't seem like a common place for a local to come for a drink."

Bart smiled, "It's close to home."

Bart was temporarily staying at the hotel. He'd move into the apartment he'd found in another week, on the first of the month. The apartment was a only four mile drive from the Hilton, the main reason he chose it.

"How about you?"

"Coming, I guess. I have a conference here at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. I live in Ponte Vedra Beach. I didn't want to try to get here that early from home."

"I can understand that. Which Toyota dealership do you work at?"

The man hesitated, "I don't think I mentioned what the conference is."

"I know when the meetings and conferences are occurring."

"Wow. You must come here often."

"Nearly every day."

"That's, um, my apologies, but weird."

Bart lost the battle with a straight face, "Not very. I manage the hotel. Bart Hamilton." Bart held out his hand to shake.

"You snuck that one right past me. It should have clicked. I would doubt anyone wears a suit when they go to their neighborhood bar."

"Well, you hadn't asked. So, you know what I do. What do you do, and which dealership?"

"Nothing fancy. I'm a finance manager at Coggin Toyota, in Jacksonville."

"Nice. It's always good to know someone in the auto industry. One never knows when one's car will give up the ghost."

The man took out a business card and handed it to Bart, "Look me up next time you're in the market."

"I'll do that."

"Um, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but would you maybe want to go out for a drink sometime? I just transferred into the area a few weeks ago. Don't know too many people outside of work yet. Maybe catch a game of some sort at a sports bar."

"I've only been here three weeks myself. So, sure. Obviously, sitting alone at a bar at my place of work, early in the evening, I haven't made too many friends either."

"Great. By the way, the beer is pretty good."

"Yeah, I enjoy one once in a while."

Bart glanced at the business card. They quietly drank their beers for a few moments before Bart spoke up.

"Noah Hankins. You don't find many people named Noah these days. Religious family, I suppose?"

"No, not really. It's actually musically based. Ever hear the song, 'The Unicorn' by the Irish Rovers?"

"It sounds vaguely familiar."

"Well, my grandfather knew the founding members of the group. Noah, he of the ark, was referenced in the song. My father named me after him based on that."

"I'll have to look for it on YouTube."

"It's a cute, but sad little song. Anyway. Thanks for spending the time with me. I should go get dinner so I can hit the sack early. I don't always sleep well in a strange bed."

"It was nice meeting you."

"Same here."

Noah got up to leave after leaving a ten on the bar, then hesitated. He turned around and asked, "You wouldn't want to join me, would you?"

"Hmm, a fast food meal, alone, or dinner in the company of another person and a very good meal. I think I'll pass."

"Oh. Um. Okay. Sorry."

Bart chuckled, "I was kidding. Yes, I'd love to join you."

Noah picked up on the undertone behind that statement and smiled. Bart followed him into the restaurant after leaving a ten of his own.

Nodding to the hostess, subtly letting her know it was alright to recognize him, he said, "Two, Stacy."

"Your usual table, Mr. Hamilton?"

"Yes, that'll be fine."

Bart turned to Noah, "I don't always eat here, but I've been somewhat of a regular. I'm staying here in the Hotel until I move into my apartment next week."

"Makes sense. I'm actually off on the first. Long hours at the end of the month require an immediate break. For me anyway. I can help you move, if you have things to move."

"I'd appreciate that. I don't have a lot, but some of the furniture in storage would be a little hard to handle alone. I think I pulled three muscles moving out. I was actually considering hiring a body or two."

"Well, maybe we can avoid that for you. After the two-day conference, I'm working every day, but Sunday the first should be fine."

Bart took a chance, smiling, he responded, "It's a date."

During dinner they exchanged phone numbers, addresses, and quite a few lengthy glances at each other. Neither one was comfortable sharing their sexual preferences yet, but they both picked up a few hints along the way.

Sunday morning, Noah arrived at Bart's apartment at The Landing at St. Augustine just after 9:00 AM. Bart had rented a small truck to transfer his items from the storage unit. They left the apartment, took the seven-minute ride to the storage facility, and packed everything up. Three hours later, everything was in Bart's apartment and they decided on a local restaurant for lunch.

After ordering their meals, they started up a conversation.

"Thanks for helping, Noah. That would have been nearly impossible to do alone."

"Not a problem. Like I said Monday night, I don't really have any friends yet. What better way to kick-start a friendship than helping someone move?"

"Yes. I guess that is a pretty good way."

"I'm not sure how to say this without being blunt."

"Bluntness is fine."

"Maybe. I happened to notice your DVD/Blu-Ray collection, and I think we have similar tastes in movies."

Bart attempted to avoid the obvious, "Action/Adventure?"

Noah smiled and spoke more quietly, "I guess you could call it that. Okay, here comes blunt, the gay videos."

"Um, yeah. I guess putting them in a clear container with the 'standard' movies may not have been the best idea. But you saying you have similar tastes, I suppose I needn't have worried."

"Nope. And I can keep a secret. Maybe after we get to know each other better, we can watch a few of them together."

"I think I'd like that."

Next up - "Building a Relationship, But With Speed Bumps"