Page 16 of Whiskey Neat

“Ten,” I answer. “I texted him last night and he confirmed.”

“A text?” Bane says. “How modern of you. Did it hurt?”

“Shut it.”

Bane laughs.

“Were you nervous?” Jerryn asks, completely serious.

“Uh, no.”

Lowen turns his probing gaze on me, and as I look at my friends, it’s clear none of them believe me.

“Okay, fine. I was a little nervous. He’s very… appealing, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been interested in someone.”

“He’s gorgeous,” Kit says. “And twinks aren’t even my thing.”

“He’s very attractive,” Jerryn says. “Only Lowen is in the same category as a guy like Salem.”

Lowen beams, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear. “Thanks, boo. Salem’s face will help business. Hopefully he has a good personality too.”

“He was professional and excited when I offered him the job.”

Lowen rubs my arm. “I think it’s cute that you’re a little nervous. Big bad Indy is holding back, but none of us will fault you if you give in.”

I roll my eyes but still grin. We all know that if I’d met Salem under any other circumstances he’d already be in my bed. Hell, maybe I’d be over him by now. One and done is my typical MO.

The door opens and Oakley and his crew pile in. They’ve been stripping the place of the smoke-stained wood panels and built-in booths that have seen better days. We’re going with a chill vibe but classing it up just enough to appeal to every type of person. We’d love to lure the locals in too, and not just the cyclical college crowd.

“Morning,” Oakley says, beelining it straight for Lowen. He hands Low a folder. “I drew up some quotes for the ideas we talked about last week. We can sit down and talk them over whenever you’re ready.”

Lowen’s face lights up. “Perfect.” He opens the folder and starts studying the sheets inside as I peek over his shoulder.

“What’s that for?”

“Oh, I asked Oakley to quote me for an idea I have for the second floor of the house.” He gestures for all of us to move in closer. “If you guys agree, we have the space to create mini suites for all of us. It’s some work, of course. Knocking down walls and refiguring the plumbing but the bones are mostly there.”

“Mini suites?” Ridley asks, his brow creased as he picks up one of the sheets.

“Apartments, if you will,” Lowen says. “Without a kitchen. So the first floor would be our common areas—living room, kitchen and dining, laundry. Second floor would be rooms for us. I thought on the third floor, we could do something really cool, like maybe a speakeasy lounge.”

“What about outside?” Ridley asks.

“Oakley and his crew don’t do much for landscaping planning, but he’s referring us to someone he knows who does cool stuff.”

Ridley nods. “Does it figure into the budget I have?”

Lowen twists his glossy lips. “No, but I’m contributing too, and before you argue with me, the project benefits me. I can use it in my portfolio.”

“Oh yeah, because you need a house in a small town to prove your skill,” Kit says sarcastically.

Lowen smiles sweetly. “Darling, Kit. Do you think the average person thinks they can afford me to renovate their home?”

“Uh, probably not.”

“Exactly. If you opened my portfolio and saw nothing but luxury hotels and mansions, I imagine that would be off putting. But if you see a beautiful Victorian home right down the street, well, that changes things, yes?”

“Do you need to work?” Bane asks.

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