Page 83 of Under the Weatherman
Words weren’t going to cut it. “Why don’t you come back inside with me. I’ll mix you a drink.”
“You’ll mix me a—” His eyes widened as understanding finally dawned. “You’reworkinghere.”
“That’s literally what I told you from the start. Did you think I brought my laptop to a bar?”
“It made no sense, but you never told me you worked here.”
“I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
He ushered me toward the door. “Like someone who wants to see you in action.”
The crowd had thinned enough that entire tables were available, though littered with abandoned drinks and dirty plates. The party ladies were going strong.
“What’s your poison?” I asked as I slipped behind the bar.
Evan settled onto a stool. “Uh. What do you recommend?”
I waggled my eyebrows and grabbed a shaker, flipping it in the air like I’d practiced on countless slow nights. “I’m gonna make you my favorite drink.”
“Okay.” He rested his elbows on the bar, and I turned to scan the liquors until I landed on the Kraken.
“Dark rum,” I said, flashing it at him. “The best.”
I squatted to grab a ginger beer from the mini fridge, cracking it open as I stood. Kyan handed me a glass, already prepped with crushed ice, and I mixed the drink, stealing glances at Evan to see if he was as fascinated as I was by the dark liquid swirling on top of the light, tendrils snaking down, like a rain cloud about to burst. I garnished it with a lime and slid it over.
“On the house.”
He lifted it with a quizzical look. “What’s it called?”
“Dark and Stormy,” I said, laughing as the perfection of the name hit me.
“Oh, is that supposed to be funny because I’m a weatherman?” He rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.
“Try it.” I bit my lip, nervous for some reason. He could always just not drink it, but I wanted him to like it.
“How do I—?” He stirred the stick around, blending the two liquids, and then took his first sip, eyes popping open at that first taste. “Oh, wow. That’s really tasty.”
A woman slid onto the open stool beside him. “What ya drinking?”
I was relieved she had no game. She hadn’t thought to pretend she knew him from high school. The unwarranted jealousy surprised me, especially after being on the other side. I recognized my own hardwired insecurities and reminded myself this woman was hitting onhim, not the other way around.
As if to prove me right, Evan lifted the drink, like she actually cared what was in it. “Dark rum and ginger beer, I think. I bet Elizabeth could make you one if you want.”
Good boy. I’d worked at this bar a long time, and I knew what it looked like to shut someone down.
I grinned at the woman, putting my work face back on. “What can I get you?”
Kyan touched my shoulder, a sign to move so he could pass by. While Lucy and I made cocktails, he went to the back and returned with a tray filled with steaming glassware.
A tall blond guy in a rugby shirt leaned against the bar, shouting, “Hey, Kyan!”
Kyan glanced up but didn’t stop hanging wineglasses upside down. “Aidan! What’s up, my man?”
“Not much. Just passing by and wanted to check if we’re still on for Saturday.”
“For sure.” He stood up straight. “Hey, Aidan, you remember Evan, right?”
“Hey, didn’t I see you on the news?” Aidan dropped a hand on Evan’s shoulder, moving in for the bro hug.
