Page 8 of Beautiful Broken Love

Deke took both drinks off the tray and offered one to me. “They say this drink is the best in the house.”

“Oh, I, um ...” I glanced down at the drink. It looked yummy enough, topped with flowers, sugar crystals, and a purply liquid. It was very aesthetic ... but I couldn’t drink it.

“Shit. Let me guess.” Deke set the spare drink down on the table. “You don’t drink?”

“I ... don’t as much anymore. Just a personal choice. I’m so sorry.” I forced a smile at him, adjusting the strap of my purse on my shoulder. I was butchering this night.

“Ah, see. That’s my fault for assuming things.”

“If that poses any issues, I apologize,” I added as he signaled for the waiter to come back.

“An issue? Overalcohol? Nah. If anything, you’ve gained more of my respect. Do you know how hard it isnotto drink in America?”

I couldn’t help laughing at that. He had a point.

“Hey, man. You think you can take these back and bring us some waters, please?” he asked the waiter. “Lemon in mine would be good.” Deke’s head swung so that his eyes met mine. “Lemon?”

“Uh, sure. Yeah.”

“Lemon in both,” Deke told him. “And don’t let those drinks go to waste. Send them to the girls over there.” He pointed at the two he’d taken a selfie with.

The waiter nodded, collected the pretty drinks, and scurried away. I watched as he placed them down on the girls’ table and said something. The girls immediately looked at Deke and squealed “Oh my God! Thank you!” in unison.

He gave them a swift nod before returning his focus to me. Pulling out one of the chairs at our table, he gestured to it and said, “For you.”

I sat and gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you so much.”

He walked to the opposite side of the table and sat down, resting his back against the chair and spreading his legs. “So, you don’t drink. Not to be all up in your business, but why choose a place with a bar if you don’t bother with alcohol?”

“You want the truth?” I asked with a nervous smile.

His mouth twitched. “Yeah. Give me the truth.”

“Well, the truth is I’ve never been here before. Tish told me about it, and it was the first thing to come to mind when you asked about a favorite restaurant.”

Deke chuckled, nodding. “I see.”

“To be fair, I would’ve been fine going to Outback or even Olive Garden, but I didn’t think that would impress you as much.” We both laughed. “And just so you don’t think I’m recovering from a drinking addiction or anything, Idohave a drink from time to time. It’s just not as often as it used to be a year ago.” He nodded like he wholeheartedly understood, which made me want to further explain. “I toned it down last spring when I decided it was time to develop a new lifestyle. Now that I’m thirty-two and busier than ever, I’m sure my liver thanks me for it.” I laughed, and he smiled. “But if I’m celebrating or if there’s a major event happening, I’ll have a drink or two. There just hasn’t been much to celebrate lately, so ...”

“This night isn’t cause for celebration?” He gestured to the space around us with a hand.

“Not unless we’re closing this deal right now.” I pursed my lips and looked into his eyes, challenging him. Deke fought a grin, embracing the challenge. Then he leaned forward in his chair to dig his phone out of his back pocket.

“It’s an e-signature, right?”

“Yes,” I said as more of a question than a statement.

He was quiet for a moment, tapping and scrolling away at the screen of his phone. Then he placed the phone flat on the table and used his index finger to sign in a box.

“There,” he said, tapping the Submit button. “Signed. All you have to do is complete it with your signature, and this partnership is official.”

“Wow.” I blinked rapidly. “You didn’t even read it.”

“Didn’t need to. Arnold took care of that for me. He said it was legit, and I trust him.”

I swallowed. “Um ... okay. I guess you gave those drinks away for nothing.” I bubbled out a laugh as I glanced at the girls in shimmery dresses, now taking pictures of each other posing with the drinks. They were definitely enjoying the free cocktails.

“Nah.” Deke glanced over his shoulder to where the waiter was preparing our H2O at the bar. “We can stick with the basics tonight. I don’t wanna throw off the lifestyle thing you have going on. And, like you said, this is business. But next time we’ll be celebrating with proper drinks. You feel me?”

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