Page 90 of On The Rocks

“Good timing.” I grinned up at Griffin. “Imagine if it was three minutes ago?”

“I’d have punched him.”

“Did you have to say it so cheerfully?”

He wrapped an arm around my waist and urged me back toward the patio. “No one gets to see you come except me.”

“Okay, caveman.”

I should be annoyed and more than pissed, but I wasn’t.

And I really didn’t know what to think about that.

Once I was back into work mode, I went to check on CJ, who still hadn’t taken a break. Griffin was following me toward the outdoor bar.

“Hey, didn’t you get relieved?”

“Kira was sending Dean over, but I think he got held up.”

“Go on. I’ll take over. Just stop in at the main bar and tell Kevon that I’m out here.”

“You sure?” She glanced over my shoulder. “Hey, Griffin.”

He smiled at her, his hands resting on my shoulders. “Hey, CJ.”

“Yeah, definitely. I can use the cool air, anyway.”

“Yeah, you must be overheated. Your cheeks are red.”

Since that was hard to do with my darker complexion, I muffled an internal groan.

Great.

“Go on.” I slid behind the bar.

“Thanks.”

“You need a hand with anything?” he asked when CJ ran off.

I slipped away from him, and behind the bar. I did a quick review of the bar. It was much smaller and didn’t hold much more than a few kegs and a mini fridge of our limited bottled ciders. “No, I’m good.”

“I’ll get out of your hair.” He dragged me over to him for a quick kiss.

“You can head out. I won’t be able to take another break tonight.”

“Nah, I’ll be around.”

“Suit yourself.” I nodded to a woman and a man waiting. “Be right there.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t hover.”

“I won’t. I’ll go find Justin.”

“Good.”

When he left, I was able to concentrate on my job. It was easy to run the outdoor bar with the limited offerings, but the cool night air definitely helped my mood.

By the time CJ came back, I was more than ready to get back to my station.

I checked in with Kevon at the main bar.

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