Page 23 of SNOB

“Old Fashioned,” I say, my eyes still pinned to her. Ember’s eyes fall to my lips as if she’s trying to make sense of my words.

“Malcolm, if you’d like a drink, you’ll need to ask a server in the lounge,” Charlotte reminds us. “Please, take a seat.”

My white sneakers don’t budge. “I want her to do it.”

“Her?” Charlotte spins around to Ember as if she’s forgotten who she is.

“That’s not my job,” Ember says, the purr of her voice making me want to wrap my tie around her neck and silence her forever.

“Now it is,” I say. “Charlotte, I’d like her to make me an Old Fashioned. I won’t ask again.” Charlotte knows better than to decline a request from a McKinsley.

Charlotte sighs. “Yes, we are a team and we try to make our members as comfortable as possible, especially Malcolm and his father.”

Ember’s face scrunches. “He’s a student,” she protests. “I’m not?—”

“Since it’s your first day, I suggest you watch your tone.” Charlotte cuts Ember off, her tone hardening as Ember’s cheeks redden. “As an employee of Sun House we appreciate versatility. One Old Fashioned, tout suite.”

Ember drops our staring competition, her head whipping to Charlotte. “But I don’t?—”

“Do what he says, or don’t come back.”

Ember glances at Beau, and I can feel the heat of his gaze. But fuck him, I’m not here for that weirdo. “Alright,” Ember sighs, her eyes back on mine as Charlotte ushers us into the lounge. Moving past her, I knock over everything I can off the table with my index finger, one by one. Pens. Papers. Books.

“Real mature,” Beau says.

“Fuck you, Beau,” Hannah retorts. “And those macarons. You could’ve killed me.”

“Seems like those macarons fucked you instead,” he laughs. Hannah’s an idiot. There’s no way I’d take something from that guy. The real question is why the fuck is he protecting Ember?

Walking by Beau, I move closer and he flinches. “Go home, Beau. This isn’t about you.”

“Leave her alone,” he says. “Her being here isn’t about you either.”

I beg to fucking differ. “That’s my only warning.”

Hannah and her posse follow me to the stone coffee table surrounded by two velvet sofas near the back of the room. Settling in, my eyes stay on Ember as she moves to the large wooden bar, Beau following.

Ember stares at the bottles lining the shelves, dim lights shining on that freckled face.

“Hurry up.” I call, her shoulders going to her ears. “I’m impatient.”

Hannah talks about some fashion show, but her words drown out by the blood rushing to my ears as Beau leans into Ember, whispering. She nods, grabbing a bottle of bourbon and a small bottle of bitters.

“Make it a double,” I call and I don’t miss the way she rolls her eyes. Watching her every move only makes my skin hotter, my muscles tighter. And when she walks over in that getup with that tray, it’s extra hard to keep my composure.

A wrong move here will spread through The Hill and get back to my father and well… I can’t have that. Not right now. I’m right where I need to be, ready to get back on the team. Ready to follow my path. There’s just one last surprise to address.

Bang!

Ember slams the black serving tray on the stone, liquid spilling over the whiskey glass. “We appreciate your patience here at Sun House,” she says, not even trying to hide her fake tone.

“That won’t do,” I say, pushing the tray back towards her with my middle finger. “Make it again.”

Her plump lips twist. “You haven’t even tried it.”

“I know what an Old Fashioned is and that ain’t it.” I can see the muscles in her neck tighten, but I’m only getting started. “Make. It. Again.”

She glances at Charlotte, watching her from the French doors leading to the patio. Ember lets out a breath of hot air, her cheeks puffing before she swivels on those… is she wearing heels?

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