Page 107 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

Maddox leans in. “Can I get another old-fashioned, please?”

“Baby, you can get whatever your heart desires at The Emerald Slipper,” I quip with a charming smile as I go on to prepare his favorite drink.

“I really want something else, but I can’t have it until we get you home,” he grumbles. “So, I’ll settle for an old-fashioned.”

The guys reign supreme at the bar, standing tall as oaks and looking ridiculously handsome as ever. It’s a full house, and all the tables are booked. My mixologists and waiters are constantly buzzing around, prepping and serving orders, one after the other.

“You have been my greatest critics thus far,” I say to my men. “What do you think of my twist on the classics? We’re trying something new this month.”

Maddox takes a moment to taste his old-fashioned. “There is something different here, but I like it. What did you do?”

“Blood orange zest,” I say with a wicked smile.

“And just for that, I’m going to make you come so hard later tonight,” he says, careful not to be overheard as he leans forward.

Reed bumps him with his shoulder. “Get in line, brother.”

“I call dibs first,” Archer says. “This is your best mint julep to date, baby.”

“You call dibs? What am I, a takeout dish?” I laugh while cleaning up my workstation.

Behind me, the barbacks dart back and forth, restocking the fridges and the other bartenders’ spaces.

“No, you’re a whole fucking meal, and I can’t wait to eat you up later,” Archer replies.

“Wow, you guys really have it in for me, don’t you?” I mutter, my cheeks flushed while heat is quick to gather between my legs. We still have a few hours to go before lights out, but damn, I’m going to be wet and ready before we get home if they keep teasing me like this.

“Chelsea’s watching the kids until noon tomorrow,” Reed says. “We’d be fools not to take advantage of that. Besides, it’s been a while since we’ve had the whole house to ourselves.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

I love it when we have the whole house to ourselves. They get exceptionally wild, and I enjoy the ride all the way through.

“There she is,” Archer says, looking toward the main entrance.

I follow his gaze and spot Callie. She looks stunning in emerald-green sequins, her curly red hair flowing down her bare back and her lips are the color of rubies. She makes her way across the room. She gives me a bright, enthusiastic smile as she’s followed by a cohort of cover-girl-looking friends, each dressed fancier than the next.

They have a table reserved every weekend right next to the DJ booth. As her friends sit down and the waiter takes their orders, she comes over to say hello, as always.

“Looking good,” I tell her. “I love how you always pick the house colors.”

“Representing The Emerald Slipper, through and through,” Callie replies, then gives my husbands a reserved but polite nod. “Good evening, gentlemen.”

“Hey, there,” Archer says. “You really like coming here, huh?”

“I always pay for my drinks. Is that a problem?”

“God, no, the more the merrier,” he says, laughing lightly. “All respect due to anyone who supports my wife’s business. And you sure came through.”

“Making up for lost time,” Callie says, then looks at me. “I brought you some Ivy League bunnies tonight. Picked them up at a Monroe Charity gala. They’ll be in San Francisco for the next four years, so chances are, they’re going to be spending a lot of their daddies’ money here.”

“You’re a boon for business,” I reply. “You should really take a percentage from these sales, though. You’ve earned it.”

She shakes her head. “No, I couldn’t. It’s my pleasure.”

“Callie, you’re getting them to buy a ton of booze, and from the top shelf, I might add. Please, let me do this.”

“Okay, fine, you don’t have to twist my arm about it,” she chuckles and playfully rolls her eyes in an adorable fashion. “Let me see if I can get them to order some of that gold dust rosé champagne. You still have a few bottles of that, right?”

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