Page 46 of After You Returned

Besides, I’m probably leaving the island anyway. Long distance relationships don’t work. It’s one of the million reasons Miles gave for dumping me when he left for the surfing pro tour stop in Hawaii.

I blow out a breath, square my shoulders, and walk to the reception area. Miles smiles at me and those blue eyes of his sparkle.

“Hi, Blaze.”

His deep voice has goosebumps exploding over my skin. Be a professional, Hazel. This is your workplace. Not a bar. Except… my brow wrinkles.

“Are you carrying a bottle of moonshine?” I check the time. “At ten in the morning.”

His cheeks darken. “I made it for you.”

I blink. “You made me moonshine?”

He clears his throat. “It’s a mixture I developed for you. I’m calling it Ginger Siren.”

“What’s in it?”

“It’s a bold, fiery blend with notes of ginger heat, island zest, and smooth molasses sweetness.”

Huh. It actually sounds good. “Shall we taste it?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He grins before pulling two shot glasses out of his backpack.

I giggle. “You brought shot glasses to therapy?”

“I wanted you to have the chance to try the moonshine I created for you.”

Those butterflies are back in my stomach, flapping their wings, but I ignore them. He made me moonshine. It’s not a big deal.

Except he hates working at the distillery.

He hands me a shot glass before raising his in the air. He meets my gaze before toasting, “Here’s to the mermaids and the smugglers who loved them.”

This isn’t the Smuggler’s Hideaway toast. The Smuggler’s Hideaway toast isHere’s to the smugglers, bootleggers, rumrunners, and the mermaids who loved them.But he switched things around. Is he trying to tell me something?

“Go ahead.” He nudges my hand. “Try it.”

I drink the shot. The liquid burns as it travels down my esophagus. But not the good moonshine burn. It’s pure fire. My chest is on fire. My nostrils are on fire. I cough and slap my chest in an effort to put the flames out.

“What the hell did you put in this?” I ask when I can finally speak again.

“Fresh ginger, molasses, citrus zest, cinnamon, cloves, chili flakes, and an experimental yeast strain fromFive Fathoms.”

“I don’t know what’s more disturbing. The list of ingredients or you borrowing an experimental yeast strain.”

“I wanted to speed up fermentation. Today’s our last PT session. This is a thank you gift for you agreeing to work with me despite not wanting to.”

“The next time you want to give me a gift, don’t. Just don’t.”

“I want to shower you with gifts.”

My brow wrinkles. “You were never one to give gifts without reason before.”

He scowls. “Because I didn’t have the money before.”

I match his scowl. “And since you’re now the sales manager for a successful distillery, you’re going to shove your money in my face.”

“I’m not shoving my money in your face.”