Page 39 of Taming Waves

“Okay, garnish it with an orange swath,” Audrey says as Leena finishes the drink. “Perfect. Now, for the taste test.”

She slides the glass to me with a cocktail straw.

I take a sip. “It’s good.”

“Really?” Leena asks.

“Really. It could use a touch more simple syrup, but it has all the notes of a classic old-fashioned.”

“You’re catching on fast. You can perfect the subtle nuances once you get all the recipes down,” Audrey praises. “And in the meantime, just ask me or Parker if you get lost. We’ll both be behind the bar with you all week.”

“Thank you. Can I take this list to the break room and study until we open?” Leena asks her.

“Sure. And stop in the kitchen, and Calvin will make you something to eat.”

When Leena disappears behind the swinging doors, Audrey takes the glass from me, takes a tiny sip, and mutters, “Not bad,” before dumping it in the sink.

We haven’t spoken since I dropped her and Heather off on Sunday. I knew something was wrong during the drive across the island, but she wouldn’t open up. However, Anson enlightened me when he got back to the truck. Heather had told him that Audrey saw me speaking to Eden’s baby and seized up.

I felt like a jackass.

Eden has been referring to all of us as uncles since she found out she was pregnant, and I wasn’t thinking when I told the baby good night. I made a mental note to be more conscious of my actions when Audrey was present.

If she’ll ever let herself be around me and my friends again.

I texted her the next morning to ask how she was feeling and if she had gotten a good night’s sleep, but I didn’t receive a response. The only communication since Sunday has been through Whiskey Joe’s app, where she sent out this week’s schedule.

We made good progress last week, but now, I feel like I’m back to square one. I go behind the bar and tuck my keys and wallet into the cubby.

“Are you speaking to me yet?” I ask.

She turns and raises an eyebrow. “I’m speaking to you now.”

“I texted you several times, but you didn’t respond.”

“You did? They must not have come through. I think cell service has been a bit spotty since the storm,” she lies.

“Must be.”

“Was it anything urgent?” she asks, her face a mask of disinterest.

“Nah, nothing important.”

“Good. Leonard is coming in to run the beer bar upstairs. I figure he can use the hours since we were closed last week. You and I will both work the main bar with Leena. As long as we aren’t slammed, let her get as much practice as possible, but stay close and talk her through it. I’ll handle all the orders from the waitstaff and jump in when you guys need me,” she says. I nod, and she begins to wipe down the bar where Leena was working as she continues, “I’m expecting it’ll be a steady crowd tonight. Everyone’s antsy to get out after being cooped up for a week.”

I walk up behind her and whisper into her hair, “I’m sorry.”

She stills. “For what?”

“The other night.”

I don’t offer specifics, but I can tell by her body language that she knows I know.

She turns and pats my chest.

“We’re good,” she says and slides past me.

I grasp her wrist.

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