Page 46 of Under the Ink

“I try.”

“You do more than try,” Sage said. “You’re kickin’ ass.”

With a sly grin, she said, “Even though I’m not rounding up groupies for you?”

Mickey started laughing hard. “She’s got your number, bro.” Sage just raised his eyebrows, shaking his head. Mickey said, “On that note, I’m gonna go call my girls and see how they’re doing.”

“Probably enjoying the vacation from you.”

“You gotta get new jokes, man.”

As Mickey walked away, Sage said, “Who says I’m joking?” Then he shifted his attention to Naomi. “So…back at home, what doyoudo for fun?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well,” he said, taking a swig from his beer, “you don’t seem into partying. So I figured maybe you’re into hiking or running or something.”

Naomi started laughing. “You thinkthat?”

Sage put his palms up—one still holding the neck of the brown bottle between his thumb and index finger—sliding them outward. “Set me straight.”

She wasn’t about to tell him the whole truth—that parties like this, ones that revolved around drinking—would never appeal to her, but it had nothing to do with how she was raised or her being a stick in the mud.

He would never know the real reason.

“I like a goodbirthdayparty.”

It was Sage’s turn to laugh. “Who doesn’t? But seriously.”

“Seriously…what’s to like? Getting wasted till you don’t even know your middle name? Doing things you regret? I can do that stuff without being surrounded by people taking video of it. Tell me what I should like about it.”

“There’s an upside. Good music. Hanging with friends. Feeling a little lighter.” When Naomi shrugged, he said, “Don’t get me wrong. I respect that you don’t drink.”

“Whatever gave youthatidea?”

“Maybe by the way you avoid beer like it’s poison.”

“Ihatebeer, so I don’t drink it.”

“Okay. Surprise me. Whatdoyou drink?”

Should she tell him?

But it was out of her mouth before she could stop it. “Brandy.” That she let it slip bore testament to the fact that she was starting to trust this man.

“Brandy?Son of a bitch. I don’t think I’ve ever had brandy before.”

“Are you kidding?”

“I’m serious. Is it like…once you try it, you never go back?”

Naomi laughed again. “Maybe so. Beer tastes like shit but brandy is sweet.”

“Then let’s go get you some.”

“Now?”

“Hell, yeah. There’s gotta be a liquor store around here somewhere—”

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