Page 10 of On the Rocks

As soon as Jenn stepped away, a waiter came and took our drink orders, but then it was just us. I turned back to Allie. “Should we get down to the Masked Mixer business? Jennifer said something about a job opportunity you wanted to discuss.”

“Yes,” Allie said, rooting around in her bag for some paperwork. “I’m sure you’ve figured out I’m in the alcohol business.”

“Wait, what?” I said, teasing. “You’re not here to talk to me about my stellar fashion? I thought we were launching Masked Mixer merch.”

Allie laughed. “Branded Masked Mixer masks,” she said in a deep voice. “Coming to a store near you.”

“While quantities last.”

“Why is that kind of a brilliant idea?”

I snorted. “I don’t actually think anyone wants to spend money on a little eye mask.”

“What are you talking about? You’re giving the people what they want. The ability to live out their superhero dreams.”

“Some of them might be supervillains,” I said.

“I would so be a villain.” She found what she was looking for, laying the papers on the table. “Right. So, the company I work for is looking for an expert in drinks. And I think you’re that person.”

“You do?”

She nodded. “I’ve been a big fan of your videos ever since you first came on the scene. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big Long Island Iced Tea girl, and I was obsessed with your cherry Coke twist.”

“How obsessed?”

She laughed. “I think I was drunk the entire summer. That’s how much I liked it.”

“That’s areallyold video,” I said, impressed. She really was a fan. “So, which company are we talking about?”

Allie gave me an apologetic smile. “This is where the business part comes in. I can’t say more about what we’re looking for until you sign an NDA.” She passed the papers across the table to me. “Not that I don’t trust you. But of course, we’ve only just met, and, you know, it’s just technicalities.”

I skimmed over the NDA. My eyes caught on a word that turned my stomach like sour wine. “Wait. You work for Elixir?”

“Yes,” Allie said. “And I’d really like you to work with us too.” She tapped the bottom of the NDA where I had to sign.

Jennifer clearly had no idea Allie worked for Elixir or else she never would have suggested this meeting. Of all the drink companies in the world, of all the opportunities, why did this one keep knocking?

“Before you say anything else,” Allie said, “I just want you to know that I saw the video of you and Aiden at the bar last night. I know things didn’t exactly gowellduring your first meeting. But I still believe you’re the right person for this job, and I’m hoping we can talk things through.”

Clearly, the universe hadn’t gotten the message that Elixir and I were a no-go, which was really too bad because I liked Allie a lot so far.

“Look, Allie, you seem really cool, I just don’t think?—”

“Signing the NDA doesn’t commit you to anything,” she tried to assure me. “It just lets us speak more freely so I can make the full offer.” She passed me a pen. “You came all the way here. At least hear me out?”

I didn’t want to hear her out.

“Elixir’s a really great place to work,” she said. “I’m serious. This isn’t just me trying to sway you or spout bullshit about a company. The pay’s good. So are the benefits. But it’s the collaborative work culture I think you’ll enjoy the most. I started there right out of college and haven’t even been tempted to look elsewhere.”

A place with an obnoxious fool for a CEO, I reminded myself. Hard pass.

“Plus, I know you’re gonna be really stoked about this opportunity. From everything I’ve seen on your socials, I can tell it’s a good fit.”

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little interested in what this opportunity might be.

“Seriously,” she said. “There’s no pressure. Signing just means everything we talk about stays between us for legal reasons.”

I sighed. I supposed it wouldn’t hurt if I just listened to what Allie had to say. I scribbled my name along the signature line at the bottom of the NDA.

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