Working Nights Can Be Lonely

I've been working as a bartender for the past five years, and while I enjoy meeting new people every night, it's hard to form lasting connections when my days are spent sleeping. Last week, one of my regulars, Alex, started making subtle advances. He'd buy me drinks after hours and leave notes in my tip jar. It felt good at first, having someone notice me like that, but the reality is that his attention never leads anywhere meaningful because we see each other only when I'm working. Tonight, he leaned over to whisper something suggestive as he left the bar. The words sounded so enticing, yet all they did was remind me of how empty my personal life feels. It's lonely even in a crowded room.