Page 107 of On the Rocks

“Yeah?”

She nodded, biting her lip, and it took everything inside me not to throw myself over the bar, take her into my arms, and kiss her senseless.

“I was worried about the turnout,” she admitted. “Worried that we hadn’t done enough marketing. But so many people came!”

I’d never worried about that. Almost everyone we’d reached out to for this exclusive, invite-only event had turned up. Frankly, if any more people showed up, we’d have to start turning them away or risk becoming a fire hazard. Dad and Maggie kept up a constant stream of chatter with the customers, encouraging people to try Cora’s literary-themed cocktails. The place had already gotten a lot of buzz, and plenty of people had come to see what all the talk was about—but we’d also gotten the crowd that really mattered, in the form of our nearest and dearest. I’d invited my entire group of friends and the Elixir team. Cora’s mom and Mr. Cranson had turned up, just as I’d hoped, and even Nana Dee had attended, parking herself at a table with Trent, Vincent, and Piper.

She wasn’t getting out as much lately, not since her diagnosis. Congestive heart failure—definitely not the minor issue we’d hoped for, but still treatable if we could convince her to get the surgery she needed. Operation Persuasion was still a work in progress, but none of us were giving up. She meant far too much to us for that.

“Can I get another round for the table?” Dominic asked, joining me at the bar. “Piper and Vincent are taking advantage of the fact they have a babysitter tonight.”

“Another Zelda for you?” I asked.

“You know it,” he said with a grin that, thankfully, didn’t look strained at all. Dominic hadn’t been very happy with us when we’d all sat him down to talk about his drinking. He’d insisted it was just the stress of the divorce that had caused the issues, which meant there wouldn’t be a problem anymore. But when he saw how genuinely worried we were, he agreed that he’d lock up his liquor cabinet for a while and prove—to us and to himself—that alcohol wasn’t a crutch he needed.

Paul and Chloe came up to help him carry the drinks. I clapped him on the shoulder in thanks. I’d never been so proud of Cora, and I was grateful for all the support my friends were showing the Red Lion tonight.

Cora beckoned me with a flick of her head as a surge of customers came up to take advantage of the open bar. “I think I’m gonna need some help back here.”

“On my way!” I slipped behind the bar, rolling up my sleeves and washing my hands at the sink. “How can I help?”

“How are you at cutting up limes?”

“Wedges or rounds?” I asked.

“Oh!” Cora said, impressed. “Look at you go.”

“I can even get fancy and go for half moons.”

She smiled sweetly at me. “Wedges will do.”

I set to work at a cutting board while Cora served up drinks to a steady stream of patrons. Jennifer appeared from the door to the kitchen, carrying a tray of appetizers destined for a boisterous party that had settled in the back corner of the bar.

“What are those?” Cora demanded. “And how do I get some?”

“Pretzel bite sliders with truffle aioli,” she answered. My stomach grumbled in response. “And I am susceptible to both bribes and begging.”

Cora grinned. “Snap a pic of those for me for Insta.”

“Will do,” Jennifer said, carrying the plate away.

She’d been ecstatic about the opportunity to curate her own menu and be her own boss. She’d told me her favorite part was that it gave her the ability to change up the dishes as often as she pleased, so she could always stay excited about what she was making.

I nudged Cora with my hip. “So, I’ve heard a rumor.”

She looked up mid-pour. “What rumor?”

“That the Masked Mixer might make an appearance later.”

“You never know,” Cora said, trying not to smile. “Iamon pretty good terms with her.”

“Rubbing elbows with mixology royalty, huh?”

“I do tend to attract royalty.”

I frowned.

“Cocktail King,” she clarified.

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