Page 108 of On the Rocks

I smirked, leaning over to kiss her. “Well, put in a good word for us then?”

“I could be convinced.” She gave me a sly smile. “Your Majesty.”

I kissed her again. “Name your price.”

She waggled her eyebrows. “Expect my invoice promptly.”

She reached down and squeezed my ass. I chuckled, shaking my head as we worked side by side. As the rush died down, I got a little creative behind the bar, mixing up a drink of my own.

“What are you doing over there?” Cora asked suspiciously.

“Prepping my own signature cocktail.”

She laughed, putting a bottle of Zelda back on the shelf. “It’s looking a little cloudy. Should I be concerned?”

“Just wait until you taste it,” I said, putting the finishing touch on the drink—a sugared grapefruit wheel. “Here. Take in the level of perfection.”

“Is this your audition? Looking to pick up a few shifts here to make ends meet?” she teased, regarding the drink with a raised brow.

I grinned. “Think I could make the cut? Get an ‘Aiden’s Special’ on the board right under the Hemingway Daiquiri?”

“It’ll have to pass a rigorous taste test,” Cora stated, all professionalism. “I can only accept the best.”

“I wouldn’t dream of asking you to settle for anything less,” I said, talking about so much more than the drink. I held her gaze as I passed her the glass. She raised it to her lips and took a tentative sip, rolling the taste over her tongue.

She touched her fingers to her lips, looking at me in surprise. “Wow…I didn’t realize mixing drinks fell under your job description as CEO. This is actually really good.”

I beamed. “That’s high praise coming from you. Sure you’re not just saying that?”

She took another sip. “I amnotjust saying that.”

“Hmm…” I kissed her lips. “Are youreallysure?”

She took another gulp to prove her point, pulling the glass away from her mouth when she heard something rattle at the bottom. She stared down into the drink, then looked at me, her eyes widening even more. I smiled softly at her, hardly able to contain my affection.

Cora reached her fingers into the glass and fished out the ring I’d hidden in it. She stared down at the diamond glittering under the bar lights.

“Is this?—”

I grinned at her shocked face.

But then a radiant smile overtook her confusion, and she shouted “Yes!” before putting the drink down and launching herself into my arms.

I laughed. “You didn’t even let me ask the question!”

“I don’t care. My answer is still yes!”

I clutched her to my chest, raising my arm above my head in triumph as people looked over to see what all the commotion was about. “We’re getting married!” I announced, hearing the cheers and applause as friends and family launched to their feet to congratulate us.

I pressed a kiss to Cora’s temple. She pulled back with a knowing grin. “Did you just hijack the grand opening for an engagement celebration?”

I shrugged. “Figured it was a convenient way to have everyone gathered without you knowing. Is that okay, future Mrs. Callihan?”

“It’s perfect,” she said, giggling. “Does this make you Mr. Masked Mixer?”

I pulled a small, masquerade-style half mask from my pocket, holding it up to my eyes. “I’m ready for my Instagram debut.”

34

---