Page 64 of On The Rocks

Being carless sucked.

I hitched a ride into the orchard with Annette, since we both had to ready the taproom for the St. Paddy’s Day shindig. It was a two-day affair on both Friday and Saturday nights. One being more family friendly and the Saturday crowd leaning into the adult party crowd.

I managed to avoid talking about Griffin, but it only lasted until Annette got coffee in her. She was a grumpy morning girl, and I wasn’t much better, so I appreciated the silence.

She’d gone out to do a few last-minute errands for the first real opening of the taproom, leaving me to obsess over the drink menu that I had been tweaking for weeks.

An hour later, Annette flew around the corner, dancing along to the soundtrack piping through the speakers of the taproom. I’d picked an 80s playlist to get us all moving through our to-do lists. She held two cups of coffee and a white bag. “I need help getting the laundry order out of my backseat, but first…coffee!”

I madegimme hands. “Yes.” The familiar Brewed Awakening logo was perking me right up.

She held back the cup. “First, you need to pay the toll.”

“I already made your peach tea and lemonade.”

“Okay, that gets you this.” She handed me the white bag.

“Hey.”

“You walk off with one of the only eligible bachelors in this place, and you think you won’t have to talk about it?”

I sighed.

“Hey, Griffin isn’t the only bachelor,” Dean called out from the secondary bar. He was prepping it for that night—if we needed it. We weren’t really sure how the night would shake out.

Especially since the skies were steel gray with wicked winds battering the windows. The scent of rain was heavy, but we were all hoping for some luck of the Irish and that the high winds would push the storm right out of here.

“You don’t count,” she said over her shoulder. “Sleeping with you requires a hazmat suit.”

“Rude. I’ll have you know I’m very safe.”

“Sure, sure.”

Dean lifted the hem of his black T-shirt to show off his eight-pack abs. “I’ll take you for a spin, Annette.”

“Gross.”

“Your loss.” His grin was playful as he dropped his shirt back in place.

She gave me an oh-my-God look. “Save me. Tell me something delicious.” She hopped up on the stool in front of me, and she slid the coffee cup forward. “This better butter you up. Details, Miss Ma’am.”

I reached for the cup and pulled out the little plug that kept the coffee hot. It reminded me of the little sword Griffin had used in place of his usual toothpick. Annoyed with myself, I tossed it in the little garbage I kept under the bar. “Nothing to be buttered for.”

“Lies. Your Jeep was still in his driveway the next morning. Actually, I heard it was still there this morning.”

“Flat tires.”

I was hoping the excuse would work, but she just gave me a steady stare.

I sighed. “I slept on the couch.”

“Girl, there is a beard burn on your neck. That is a lame lie.”

I took a sip of my coffee, stalling. Annette was one of my best friends at the orchard. Especially since Kira has been wrapped up in the twins. I glanced around, since it was still quiet. It was only us and Dean in the main part of the taproom.

Kain was coming in tonight to cook. His crew was here prepping in the kitchen, but the music was loud enough that no one would overhear us.

I wasn’t a sharing kind of woman, but I was definitely twisted up about hooking up with Griffin. I didn’t want it to be awkward at the taproom when this thing flamed out.

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