Page 110 of On The Rocks

Liam took a long pull from his bottle, and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. “It’s good.” His stare flicked to his dad and back to the bottle, repeating, “It’s real good.”

Patrick took a swig, then quickly took another, and a smile stretched across his face. “My Maeve brewed this?”

Callum puffed his chest out slightly. “Yep.”

His stare came to me, and he dipped his chin. “You did good, kid.”

“Yeah, Maeve’s so perfect,” Shannon snapped sarcastically.

“Yeah, she is,” Callum retorted, squeezing my hand.

Tristan barked a laugh.

I gave Callum’s fingers a return squeeze, craning my neck toward the back hall as the echoes of voices and soft laughter filtered in from the back hall.

“Staff have arrived,” Donovan announced. “I’ll get the security boys set up. Looks like we’ve already gotta queue starting to form outside.”

I checked the big clock behind the bar. “We don’t open for another twenty minutes.”

“It’s a big night for the town,” Tristan crowed. “The excitement has been crazy. The Speed Demons have told everyone about the newexclusivedrinks, and you’ve created a buzz just by being you, sweet Maeve.”

A strangled noise escaped Shannon’s throat, and Patrick skewered her with a look. “What did I tell you?” he bit out.“Now, shut the fuck up.”

She cast her eyes downward and closed her mouth.

Tristan smirked.

Callum leaned down and murmured in my ear, “We better sort the staff and get ready to welcome our guests.”

A delicious shiver ran through me at his body’s close proximity and the sexy rumble of his voice.

With the exception of Shannon turning up, tonight had already been the best night of my life, and it hadn’t even started yet. Even if I said so myself, I looked pretty in my new dress, with my tamed hair and perfect makeup that looked like something out of a magazine (thanks to Tristan). Best of all, my gorgeous husband had told me (albeit in a roundabout way) that he loved me, which was kind of epic because my feelings for him were becoming just as intense.

Squeee!!!

Callum guided me toward the doors where Donovan was talking to the bar and wait staff, and the guys working security. “Gonna do a pep talk, then we’ll open,” he explained. Then, after calling all the staff over and waiting for everyone to gather, he began.

“Wanna thank you all for sticking with us while we’ve been closed. I know you’ve all lost out on tips, but if everything goes to plan, you’ll make them up again soon.” He pulled me in tighter and asked, “Are you all okay with the new drinks menus?”

The waitresses and bartenders assured him they were on top of things.

He turned to the security staff. “Any problems, you grab Donovan or me. Nobody gets in unless their name’s on the list or they’ve got a ticket. I don’t expect any trouble. Most of the customers here tonight are people we know, so I think we’ll have a good time.” He glanced at the doors. “Any questions?”

Silence.

He grinned excitedly. “Then all I’ve got left to say is to have a good night. Let’s get to it.”

Everybody dispersed to where they were meant to be, and within seconds, the opening guitar strains to U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” started thumping through the speakers hooked up in every corner.

A frisson of excitement ran down my spine.

It was time.

My fingers slid over my husband’s chest, and I pressed gently. “Wait.”

Callum’s hands rested on my shoulders. He dipped his chin and softly asked, “You okay?”

Staring up at him, I lightly touched his stubbled jaw. “You have a good night, too, honey. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. You’ve worked hard for this. I’m so proud of you.”

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