Page 37 of Whiskey Neat

“So this is load bearing. We can keep it where it is, or we can remove it, but we’ll have to reinforce the structure with a beam. For one this size, it’ll run about eight grand.”

“I think we should do it,” Lowen says. “The column is an eyesore and will disrupt the flow. I just wanted a second opinion.”

“I agree with you. We want it to be inviting.”

Oakley writes something down on his clipboard. “Did you guys decide on the kitchen expansion?”

“For the house?” I ask.

“No, here. You were still on the fence about serving food.”

“Right. Give me until tomorrow?”

Oakley nods. “No rush. We’ve got a week or two before we need to start ordering materials if we’re gonna do it.”

“Perfect.”

“Excuse me.”

Me and Lowen both turn to look at Salem.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to let you know I was heading out to go into the city.”

“For what?” Lowen asks.

“Restaurant supplies. I have several places I want to check out for their barware.”

Lowen’s face lights up. “Oh, a shopping field trip. Mind if I tag along?”

Salem’s brow furrows. “No, not at all, but it’s kind of grunt work, isn’t it?”

“Trust me, nothing I do is grunt work.” He hooks his arm through Salem’s. “Come along.”

“Hey, Low,” Kit says. “Can you pick up some donuts from Gidget’s?”

“Excellent idea. We sure can.”

I watch Low and Salem walk outside, and when I turn around, Jack is watching too. I clear my throat to get his attention, and he startles, his cheeks turning red.

Do I have any right to cockblock Salem from any guy he wants? Nope. Does that mean I won’t? Also no.

TWELVE

SALEM

Lowen leads me outside to a black SUV. I kind of took him for the fancy sports car type. The vehicle beeps when Low hits the key fob in his hand and swings around to the driver side. I join him on the other side, buckling my seat belt while he starts the engine.

With his hands on the wheel, he turns to me, smiling. “Where to first?”

“There’s a big supply store just off the freeway at the Twentieth Street exit. I figured that would be the best place to start since they have the widest selection.”

“Sounds good.”

He backs out of the parking lot and jerks to a hard stop before chuckling softly and driving forward again.

“Sorry,” he says. “I’m still getting used to this vehicle after nearly two decades of not driving at all.”

“You didn’t drive in Paris?”

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