Page 74 of Forced Pregnant Mate

“Excuse me?” Jenks answers, sliding across to me from the back of the bar. “Are you demanding I use my powers to bend time for the frivolous cause of making your drink?”

“Indeed I am, great liquor wizard,” I shoot back. “If you’re going to be a regular bartender in here, then I strongly suggest you do something about your wait times.”

Jenks takes a step back, clutching his chest. “Drinks are an art, you uncultured swine! To rush a cocktail is to make angels weep! Curses on you, you heathen brute!”

“Jenks, no one in here is ordering a pisco sour,” I say wryly. “Or a mojito.”

Jenks’ face cracks in a real smile, and I know I finally got him.

“More’s the pity for that. Shall I get you your dull, ordinary, extremely simple beer?”

“Indeed, great wizard. Either that, or close the place down and give up. If you make this kind of speech every time you get someone a drink, you’re utterly fucked.”

“Jack,” Lena says firmly. “What about me?”

“You’re not drinking alcohol,” I answer, turning around.

Bundled in her arms, curled up sound asleep, is the tiny shape of our son. Every time I see him, I’m struck by love all over again. From the moment he was born, I’ve been in awe of him. And the strength of the woman who brought him into this world.

Without even thinking, I reach out and take him from Lena, cuddling him against my chest and rocking him. Lena laughs.

“What did I ask for, Jack?”

“Oh, damn,” I mutter. “A strawberry ice cream soda.”

“Yeah. Like, fifteen minutes ago.”

“Don’t blame me, blame Jenks!”

“Blame me for what?” Jenks asks, appearing behind me. When I turn around, I’m shocked to see a pitcher of dark beer and a tall glass full of strawberry soda, topped with ice cream and whipped cream.

Maybe he really is a wizard.

“Thank you, Jenkins,” Lena says, taking a big sip of her drink.

“My pleasure, dear lady. I am happy to deal with you any time you desire. Your husband, on the other hand, is a rough brute who should be fed and watered at a trough outside the door.”

“I know,” Lena agrees, sighing. “But we endure.”

“Oh, lord, help me,” I mutter, moving away from the bar. “If this is what it takes to get a drink in this place, I’m walking back to Silver Meadows with my son.”

I head for the restaurant area, looking for Mother. Before I can get to her table, Sam intercepts me.

“Hey, Jack.”

“Hi, Sam,” I say, smiling. “Opening bash is going great! I’m not sure about making Jenks your bar manager, though. The place might fall apart within the week.”

Sam looks over at the bar, watching Jenks flamboyantly pouring drinks with great enthusiasm.

“I’m just happy he left the red leotard at home,” Sam mutters. I can’t hold in my laughter.

“Agreed. The vest is a bit much, though.”

Instead of his over the top, weird costume, Jenks is wearing fitted black pants and a dark blue dress shirt covered by a sleek, well-fitting vest. It would be an entirely normal outfit if it wasn’t for the bright stars and moon pattern on the vest, matched by his famous wizard’s hat.

“Didn’t I tell you?” Sam laughs. “We’re officially calling the place ‘Wizard’s Den,’ and Jenks is going to be a full-time bartender.”

I let out a low whistle. “Your disaster, my friend. Good luck with that.”

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