Page 49 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

Aaron clears his throat loudly. ‘Perhaps, Amir, your first learning focus can be to rein in the sexist behaviour.’ He wipes the smile straight off Amir’s face. ‘I’ll put you on the list for diversity training.’

Reyes and I suddenly lose control, dissolving into uncontrollable laughter.

Aaron simply looks baffled. ‘Right. Well, that was all. Have a good evening.’

He turns and strides back out of the bar, leaving the three of us falling about laughing, and sharing lopsided high fives.

As the evening draws in, the bar fills to capacity – which by Amethyst’s high-end standards means that all the tables are occupied, no one left standing. Reyes, Amir and I have a seamless production line running: serving what new (and proud-Dad-style) Bar Manager, Amir, claims are the finest gin cocktails on offer.

In addition to things running smoothly, we’re also enjoying our work far more than we had ever dared to with the beast around. Despite his promotion, Amir and Reyes’s constant friendly bickering continues, and as I run the drinks orders back and forth, I find myself relaxed and moving to the beat of the music. It’s a different world to the one I entered with Clara in charge.

‘That couple over there.’ I jab my thumb over my shoulder, as I deposit a tray of dirty glasses on the bar. ‘Affair. No question.’

‘How can you tell?’ Reyes is captivated.

‘She’s wearing a wedding ring. And she keeps playing with it absently. Clear sign of a guilty conscience.’

‘Maybe she is just stressed?’

‘Don’t think so.’ I shake my head. ‘They’re both on edge. He’s trying to come across as relaxed, but he keeps glancing at the door. He’s worried about being caught.’

‘Chica. Wow. You are correct.’ Reyes looks impressed. ‘I love your…’ She searches for the right word.

‘Theories?’ I suggest.

‘Yes. Exactly. You are always right. Give one more.’

I scan the room and spot a couple in their twenties making awkward small talk.

‘This one’s almost too easy. First date. But, he’s way more into her than she is to him.’

‘OK, I can believe that this is a first meeting. They are not… how do you say…?’

‘In sync?’ I offer. ‘Like not totally comfortable, as people who know each other well are?’

‘Yes, that is it.’ Reyes nods. ‘But, why do you think she is not liking him? She looks nervous too.’

‘Correction.’ I smile, enjoying this interaction immensely. ‘She’s not nervous. She’s anticipatory. She’s waiting for her rescue call and wondering why it’s not come through yet. Look at how she’s totally preoccupied: constantly checking her phone.’

As I say this, the woman grabs her phone and puts it to her ear. A few moments later she’s getting her things together, the man consoling her as she puts on a pretty convincing performance of concern over whatever fake emergency she’s concocted. As she rushes down the steps on her way out the bar, her face expresses pure relief. Sensing us watching, she looks over and immediately clocks that we’ve rumbled her. The relief turns to guilt, and she rushes towards the door, before disappearing into the night.

‘OK.’ Reyes turns to me in awe. ‘You are not good. You are incredible. You must do something with this talent.’

‘Like what?’ I laugh. ‘It’s hardly useful. It would be – if I could read the situations I end up in myself as well. Unfortunately, whenever my own emotions are involved, my radar goes faulty.’

‘It can just entertain us then, yes?’ Reyes squeezes my arm playfully.

‘Definitely.’

I duck into the store cupboard to grab some quick gulps from my water before heading back to clear more glasses. As I do, I enjoy my own little private boogie, my body shifting in time to the music. I’m completely lost in this moment when Josh unexpectedly appears behind me, causing me to spill water down my front.

‘Oh, hi.’ I surreptitiously brush the droplets from the front of my tunic, hoping he won’t notice. ‘Didn’t hear you come in there.’

‘You weren’t meant to.’ He flashes his stunningly white teeth at me. ‘Thought I’d surprise you.’

‘Right. Well, that you did.’

I drink in his holiday tan and the way his hair has lightened in places from the sun, making him look hotter than ever. He’s also wearing a new aftershave, no doubt picked up at duty free on his way home: a heady, citrusy scent that has me almost giddy with lust the moment it wafts into my nostrils. My stomach does an unwelcome flip, triggering some immediate risk-avoiding self-talk: Liv, this isnotthe time to start having a crush. Especially on someone at work.

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