Page 23 of Sharkbait
“Thanks, lady.” He gives Mabel a wink and adds the ice to the silver cup he’s been filling with liquor and lime juice.
“That makes absolutely no sense,” I murmur to no one in particular.
James slaps another silver cup on top of the first one and shakes with gusto.
He takes the noisy opportunity to lean close to me and whisper, “We both know you’re not a prude. Should I speak up?I’m happy to defend your honor if you’d like.”
Tingles cascade over my body when his breath skates over my skin.
“That um, that won’t be necessary.”
Distance. I need distance.
I hop onto a barstool next to Calliope.
“Strippers?” I say. “Really?”
She scoffs. “No, Louise. I will not be hiring strippers for your brother’s surprise party. That would be super inappropriate.”
I exhale. “Good. Glad we can agree on that much.”
“Butburlesque! Burlesque would be amazeballs!”
“Ooooooooh!” Mabel shudders with delight. “Burlesque!”
James rims three chilled glasses with salt, places them in front of us, and fills them to the brim with pale-green frothy goodness.
“Yum! Thank you, James!” Mabel squeals and lifts her glass high. “Cheers, friends!”
“Cheers!” Calliope and I lift and clink with her.
“Ohmuhgah this drink is amazing,” Calliope moans after a sip.
She’s not wrong. This is all sorts of delicious.
So is the man who poured it.
Not that I’d ever admit that out loud.
“Pour one for yourself, James!” Calliope says. “We could use a man’s perspective on the party planning.”
“Actually, I, uh… I don’t drink.”
He steals a quick glance at me.
“A bartender who doesn’t drink?” Calliope says. “That’s surprising.”
“Yeah well, I’m a surprising guy.”
He leans on the counter like he intends to stay a while.
“Don’t you need to get back to work?” I ask.
“Sure. But I have a minute or two to bounce some ideas with you ladies. So Ralph is your brother, huh?”
“Maybe.”
“I’ve met him a few times at the bar with this one.” He gestures to Calliope. “Solid guy.”
