Page 42 of Midnight Waters

“Thanks, Mervyn.” I stepped inside.

A bar dominated the middle of the room, with a curtained off area behind it. A series of stools stood before it and a few booths lined the walls, all empty.

A man dressed in a white shirt and a cumberbund leaned on the bar, looking at me as if he had been waiting specifically for me to walk in. He also had a Venetian mask on.

But the main attraction, William, was nowhere to be seen.

My heart sank. Had he opted out?

I slid onto one stool and set my clutch on the bar. “Where’s…?”

“Your date is running late,” the bartender said as he readjusted his drinks shaker. “But he’s definitely coming.”

The bartender jerked his elbow at a piece of paper a few feet down.

Our instructions. Well, it couldn’t hurt to get a head start on William.

I reached along the bar and grabbed the paper, words inking onto the paper the moment I touched it.

“Create a cocktail for each other with one potion included.”

Oh, this would be fun.

“Can I start before he gets here?” I asked.

“Have at it.” The bartender gestured a hand at me.

I scratched my chin as I mulled over my options. Did I lay a trap for him and spike him with a truth potion to find out how he really felt about us? Or did I play nice?

The latter won over.

“Make him a Shamrock with a calming potion,” I said. “If you please.”

“Coming right up.”

The creak of the door opening had me swivelling around on my bar stool.

Shutting the door with one hand and readjusting his mask with the other, William dashed toward the bar.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” he said, sitting down on the stool next to me.

“I barely waited.”

Despite the heart attack at thinking he wouldn’t show.

“For you, sir.” The bartender slid a cocktail glass filled with a sea-green liquid.

“What is it?” William picked up the glass to inspect it more closely.

“I ordered it for you,” I said.

“What’s in it?”

“Drink it and find out.”

He narrowed his eyes, but a smile played on his lips.

He took a big gulp, rather than a sip. Someone was feeling brave.

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