Page 59 of Fun and Games
"Make me something that looks really cool," I asked him. "I don't care much about what's in it, I just want it to be something I can post online and get tons of likes and comments on."
"Are you one of those online influencers?" Grant asked, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He didn't cast a glance to Mason, so I had to assume he didn't know his manager's secret.
"I am online, but I'm definitely not popular enough to influence anyone," I said.
"I need to check a few things in the back before the night gets too busy." Mason clapped Grant on the shoulder. "Use the good stuff when you make her drink. None of that cheap shit."
"We don't serve cheap shit here," Grant quipped.
"I had heard Sin and Tonic is known for their amazing drinks," I told Grant as Mason wandered out back. "Is that all because of you?"
"We've got a few other bartenders who help out," Lizzy jumped in, "but Grant's the best. He's the reason we have such a great reputation."
"I try," Grant said.
The effortless way he twirled the stem of a cocktail glass between his fingers belied his modest claim. Lizzy's gaze was fixated on Grant's hands, with her bottom lip between her teeth. Grant didn't seem to notice her rapt attention.
* * *
After fiddling with a handful of different bottles, he put the finishing touches on my drink. It was a multi-colored concoction with distinct layers, going from red on the bottom, to orange in the middle, to yellow on top. What looked like a candied hibiscus flower floated on the surface, and the glass was rimmed with a rainbow of sugar crystals.
"So pretty!" I exclaimed, pulling out my phone to take a picture. The lighting in the bar wasn't great for photos, but I did my best. Then I took a sip and my eyes brows flew up my forehead. "And it tastes amazing."
"Thanks," Grant said easily, neither taking smug pride in his work or waving it off. His confidence was as effortless as his bartending flair.
The bar was starting to pick up, so Grant had to go take care of other customers, but Lizzy was able to keep me company while Mason was taking care of things in the back.
"So, you're the one who was at that pub trivia night, right?" Lizzy asked. "I remember because Mason was worried 'that cute girl over there' was going to make a scene."
She nudged me with her shoulder, teasing, but there was a probing note to her voice. She was dying for more details about my and Mason's relationship, but she wasn't going to ask outright.
"I didn't want to cause a fuss," I replied. "I just thought I should have been the winner, because I was positive my answer was right."
"And was it?" she asked.
"I still insist it was a trick question." I took another sip of my drink. It really was amazing, and definitely photogenic. I wondered how Mason would feel if I blogged about his bar.
"It's really nice Mason brought a friend with him," Lizzy said, and I had to assume Mason hadn't told her there was anything more intimate between us, although she could probably guess. "I don't see that very often."
"He hangs around Connor, doesn't he?" I asked. "They're best friends."
"I suppose," she said, mouth pursing. "But I never see him with anyone else. My friends like to drop by sometimes, and Grant has a few guy friends who come hang out while he's working. But no one ever comes to see Mason."
"No one?" I asked.
"Well," she amended. "He's friendly with the indie musicians who play here. He used to be in the music industry, did you know that?"
I nodded.
"So he's got a lot of connections," Lizzy continued. "But they come and play and that's it. They're colleagues, I suppose. Those up-and-coming musical acts know Mason can hook them up with some higher-ups in the industry. But that seems to be all it is. None of them ever really stick around to chat or anything."
My heart sunk a little as Lizzy spoke, her words reminding me of what Mason had told me before.
"That's why I was really happy when you showed up at the bar again," she said. "I was glad Mason had maybe found afriend." She stressed the last word with a raised eyebrow.
"He's a great guy." I took another sip, not giving anything away. "I like hanging out with him."
"He likes you, too," she said, and I noticed she'd omitted the 'hanging out with' part.
