Page 85 of On The Rocks

“Har-har.” She stared out on the water. “I spent plenty of time making tips on my looks when I was young. I was more knowledgeable about the art of drinks than most, thanks to my mom.”

“It is an art, just like music.”

She gave me a quick and brilliant smile. “It is. Plenty don’t see that, but I didn’t mind. I was more than happy to prove myself and made a name for myself. I bounced around a few bars in Miami, but I always stayed near the water.” She brushed against me as we strolled the path around the curve to where a lookout area with tables was set-up.

We paused at the half wall, both of us leaning against the sandy-toned stone. She propped herself on her forearms and Idid the same as we looked out on the calm lake. “It’s a different kind of water than something like this. The ocean has a different vibe. Especially in Miami. People want to be seen and show off and show out all the time.”

“And that’s you with the flair stuff.” I glanced over at her, away from the water and noticed she was finally relaxed. She always seemed ready to go at a moment’s notice. Or in work mode.

She nodded. “Showing off brings tips and gets me where I want to go.”

“And where’s that?” I set the bag on the wall beside us and turned to her.

“My own place.” She didn’t look away from the water, but she licked her lips. “Which is why I didn’t want to get locked up with you.”

“It doesn’t have to be a lock.”

She gave me a wry smile. “You know what I mean. I have to make a decision before the summer.”

I frowned. “About what?”

“I’ve been working my ass off for my own bar for ten years. An angel investor who believes in what I do is willing to put up half the collateral for a place in Miami.”

“Oh.” Unsure what to say to that, I blew out a breath. “That’s awesome.”

“It is. And it’s everything I’ve worked for.”

I heard abut. It laced each word and I almost mentioned it, but the tension started to build in her shoulders. “And here I am being one more complication?”

“Kind of. But you’re not the only one.”

“I heard abutin there.”

She huffed out a laugh and took a drink from her slushy lemonade. “I appreciate the restraint on calling it out. I don’t have a long time to sit on the property we found.” She finishedoff the drink and flicked off the plastic top to get the strawberries at the bottom. She stabbed one with her straw and popped it in her mouth. “So that’s me. Take or leave me.”

I took the cup from her and pulled her closer. “You think that’s going to scare me off?”

She rested her hands on my chest. “Maybe. If you have it in your hard head that this is more than just fun, you should know that.”

“What makes you think I couldn’t come to Miami with you if things...progress.”

She stiffened. “But you’re here to get to know your brother.”

“And because this place feels like home, right?”

She shrugged. “So, why get wrapped up in something more, then?”

“Because I lived a long time with wondering if I’d ever belong again. When the band first formed, I thought it was exactly what I’d been looking for, and instead, it turned out I’m not cut out for toxic triangles.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “So, really was the Fleetwood Mac thing, huh?”

I laughed. “Not an overstatement. While they were bed hopping and finding ways to hurt each other, I had to clean up the mess. It showed me exactly what I don’t want. Which is why I’m not going to hold back when it comes to telling someone what I want.”

“And what’s that?”

“Just you.” I lowered my mouth to hers. The zing of lemons with the sweetness of strawberry lingered on her tongue.

She dragged in a breath, but she relaxed against me, and we damn well made out at the lookout for a good long while.

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