Page 80 of On the Rocks

“Still working,” I said, pushing my laptop aside.

“Right, sorry. Didn’t think you’d still be here at this time.”

I checked the time on my phone. It was well after seven. I’d intended to be home by now, watching K-dramas with Jennifer and listening to her restaurant updates, but the evening had gotten away from me while I’d been busy typing up my Elixir Free notes.

“I didn’t think you’d still be here either,” I said.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, displacing the curls. “The list of things to do for the launch seems to be getting longer instead of shorter. I swear every decision I make sparks three more.”

I could hear the stress in his voice. “Anything I can do to help?”

He shook his head.

I smiled playfully. “I don’t know if you know, but I’m quite good at relieving tension.” I stood up, patting my stool.

Aiden’s eyes darted down to it, but he remained hovering in the doorway, like he was debating whether he should stay or go. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”

“You didn’t,” I assured him with a soft smile. “I was just wrapping things up.” My job had technically ended when we’d finalized the new drink line for production, but Aiden and I had negotiated an extension to my contract—just as I’d hoped—so I could stay on with the team and keep developing some of our runner-up flavors.

“What are you working on?”

“The on-hold samples,” I said.

Marketing was already throwing around a six-month celebration idea where they’d unveil the second lineup of new flavors. And of course, the Masked Mixer would be on board to promote the flavor expansion.

“I’m glad to be interrupted,” I assured him. “Feels like I haven’t seen you in days.” I worked to keep my tone light, joking, though it actually wasn’t that funny. It had been a week since I’d seen Aiden more than just in passing. We’d texted a little, but he’dbeen increasingly busy with the launch of Elixir Free—or that’s the excuse he used for taking hours to text me back.

I didn’t want to doubt him. I could tell he was stressed by that persistent frown on his face. And I knew there were a million things that needed his approval before launch day next week. Still, I couldn’t help feeling like he’d sort of disappeared from my life. Was it just that the honeymoon, can’t-keep-our-hands-off-each-other stage was over? I couldn’t be sure, but what I did know was that I’d been missing him.

I reached for his hand, and he finally let the door close behind him, coming toward me. “Other than the launch causing you all sorts of headaches, how are you?”

“I don’t even know,” he said, stopping close enough for me to thread our fingers together. “My sleep’s been pretty crappy. I keep dreaming about launch night, about everything going wrong and the press hounding us with negative reviews.”

“Nothing is going to go wrong,” I said. “The press is going to have nothing but good things to say because I know for a fact the drinks are delicious. And that’s half the battle.”

He huffed. “What’s the other half?”

“Showing up with a smile on your face and trusting the line to speak for itself.”

“You’re right.” He sucked in a sharp breath. “Please don’t think I’m doubting the product.”

“I don’t,” I reassured him. I knew he believed we’d put out a line of great mocktails. But until the rest of the world agreed, he wouldn’t be able to truly enjoy the achievement. “Really, though. Is there anything I can do to help?”

He shook his head. “You already did your part. Actually, more than your part.”

That was true. I’d done a lot more social media marketing for Elixir than we’d originally agreed to. Working with the company just made it so easy, and I’d found myself having a lot of fun gathering little behind-the-scenes glimpses of work in the lab, with the team, learning about the production process.

“It hasn’t exactly been a hardship,” I said. “I’ve been having fun.”

He gave me a tight smile. It didn’t reach his eyes like it usually did, but I was okay to let him off the hook. I understood how badly he wanted this launch to be a success.

“Actually,” he said. “I think Dominic wanted to make sure you’re still good to post to your socials during the event. He knows it means you’d have to actually attend the event as the Masked Mixer.”

“Of course.” I’d happily agreed when Dominic had approached me the other week about that little bit of added marketing. Sure, it meant I had to play my alter ego all night—which meant autographs and selfies and not being able to just relax and enjoy the evening—but I’d also spent the last however many months endorsing this product on my socials. It only made sense that the Masked Mixer would make an appearance.

Aiden sent off a quick email on his phone. “Just letting Dominic know before I forget.” He glanced at me. “Are you the only one left here?”

“Yeah, Javeed hung around for a while, but he’s meeting someone for drinks. He wouldn’t say who,” I smirked, “but if you ask me, I think it’s Dot.”

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