Page 62 of Grace on the Rocks

“Or like… olive brine?”Wesleysuggested. “Whatis this?It’slike a symphony on my tongue.”

“It’s not whatIexpected, for sure,”Graceagreed.

“Very good.Isthis really your first time?”Bryanasked, andGraceburned at the innuendo, intentional or not. “ ’TiscalledArdbegRionnagach, from theIsleofIslay, renowned for its sssmoky, peated drams.”

“I’ve never tasted anything like it,”Wessaid with wonder.

Grace thought maybe she had, the other night when she andBryanhad shared a drink on the back patio, but if so, she hadn’t fully appreciated it, and she didn’t want to embarrass herself by asking in case it was a different whisky entirely.Acrossthe bar, she could almost feel him puffing up with pride, and she thought maybe she understood a little better why he wanted to open a distillery.

“If you like, here’s some chocolate to bring out different notes,” he said, handingGracea quarter-sized foil-wrapped candy. “Andyour water’s just there.”

“Wow, just wow,”Wessaid. “Oh, that’s good chocolate too.”

“Toast for a cleanser,” he offered.

“There’s more?”Wesasked like an awe-struck little kid atChristmas.

“Oh, aye, a whole tour.We’releaving theIslandsand on to theHighlandsnext.”

He poured again, and this time there was no smoke.Itwas sweeter, fruitier, creamier.

“Reminds me ofKentuckybourbon,”Wessaid. “ButIlike this more.”

“Glengoyne 10,”Bryantold them. “Afew drops of water can change the flavor, too.”

“Mary mixed her whisky with water inDowntonAbbey,”Gracemurmured.

“That’s ’causeMichelleDockerylikes hers that way,” he said.

“Wait, what?”Graceasked.

“I was an extra a few times, it’s not important.MayIadd a drop of water to yours?” he asked, brushing her fingers as he came near with the water.

“Sure,” she managed, hiding her breathlessness in the tulip-shaped glass until he moved away. “NowItaste almonds,” she observed.

“Oh, me too,”Wesagreed.

“You’re quite good at this game,”Bryantold them, andGracethought she could bask in the glow of his praise forever, no matter if he was a braggy-Mac-I-met-Lady-Mary-when-I-was-an-extra-braggerson.

“Ready for the next?” he asked.

“Yes, please,”Wessaid enthusiastically.

“How many are there?”Graceasked, trying not to feel alarmed by the warmth spreading through her belly and out her limbs.Itwas only a few sips of each, and they were taking their time, but she didn’t trust her own decision making after hard liquor.

“Thought we’d do five, one for each region.”

“Perfect,”Wesagreed.

Grace could actually feel her own smile freeze in place as panic welled up inside her. “Areyou trying to get us drunk,MacNeil?”

“Use the mug if you like,” he said evenly.

“Don’t you dare spit out good booze,Gray,”Weschided. “We’reon vacation!”

Beneath her blindfold,Gracerolled her eyes, but if he wanted to get her drunk, he wouldn’t have given her the mug.Shetook a breath and tried to relax.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me, either,”Wesadded.

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