Page 71 of On The Rocks

“But now you’re mine.” Kain kissed the top of her head, and my chest tightened.

I didn’t want that.

Did I?

Annoyed with myself and the way this evening had gone sideways, I threw myself into building our specialty drinks. My shoulders relaxed when Kain and Bells took off to join Laverne, who was holding court in the corner.

Griffin ended up at the same booth, but he also watched over me. Whenever I was close to needing another keg, he was there with another one. Swapping them out without a word, just giving me that stupid smile that made my stomach flip.

Hell.

It was too busy to worry about my jittery nerves packaged in hormonal idiocy. They were just orgasms. They didn’t need to be more than that—even if I kept double-checking where he was in the room.

He floated from one booth to another, talking to some of the guys who were helping out with the renovations, then shifting back to the Mannings and Ronsons.

He was so easy with everyone. As if he didn’t have to think about it, just chatted and moved on.

I had the same ability, but mine was more on the surface and based on survival. I was polite with customers, but my efficiency overrode any flirting and small talk that Dean and Kevon excelled at.

As the night drew to a close, we played a few fiddle-heavy songs to go with the simple routine I’d worked out with Dean and Kevon. The three of us tossed a series of bottles between one another, creating a monkey in the middle situation that had everyone laughing.

I didn’t do much of a comedy aspect to my flair, but since there were a few younger kids still around, I played it up. Kevon and Dean played keep away while I gave off an air of confusion, followed by a bit of pouting that made the crowd laugh.

Until I did a backbend into a handstand and caught one of the bottles Kevon set on the sole of my sneakers. I turned in a circle, feeling the weight of the bottle shimmy ever closer to my heel until I popped it high in the air and quickly did a roundhouse to a standing position.

Dean threw me a shaker and the bottle arced down neatly into a metal cup with a clink.

The crowd roared just as the Dropkick Murphy’s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” blasted through the speakers.

“Shots for all!” I shouted as I clapped to the music.

Dean and Kevon sang along as we raced to fill green plastic shot glasses with the Brothers Three barn owl logo etched into them and handed them out to the people who were left.

It was a harrowing few minutes, but finally, those who were interested were happily served.

Kevon, in his endlessly adorable ways, made up a few for the kids with Koolaid.

I raised a shot of my own. “Thanks for coming tonight! Sláinte!”

I was laughing when I glanced over to Laverne’s booth. Griffin was leaning against the wall beside the booth, a grin on his face as he raised his shot and tipped it back, then winked at me.

Freakingwinked.

Damn him.

Chapter 16

Griffin

Eat Your Shepherd’s Pie

“Can you take her home? I’m gonna sneak out before Kira or Len finds something for me to do.”

I flipped over the last chair onto the high-top tables along the back doors so Dean could finish mopping. “Sure.” I narrowed my eyes at Annette. “Does she know?”

“I’m sure she won’t care.” But she wouldn’t look me in the eye.

So, I was going to end up with a spitting kitten to end the night. Sounded like fun. That was my favorite Lennon. “Go on, get out of here.”

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