Page 47 of Vodka And Virtue

“Carson, I will kick you underneath this table if you don’t quit,” my mother scolded.

I couldn’t help but smile because he was being such an ass.

“I really like him, Ma.”

“I wish you would have told me.” She sounded hurt, and I felt horrible for upsetting her. I didn’t want her to feel like she wasn’t important to me.

“It’s just…brand new, and I didn’t—”

“Does he make you happy? That’s really all that matters.”

“I mean, like I said, it’s new. But yeah, he makes me happy, Ma. Incredibly happy.”

My face morphed into a dopey smile, and I was sure I was blushing.

“Well, that’s lovely then. My boys are finally growing up and settling down. And it’s about time, too, because I’m not getting any younger. Plus, I can lord it over my sister and brother’s heads that my boys were smart enough to settle down before theirs did.”

The reminder of her sibling rivalry at her age made me realize that Carson and I would be in competition with each other until we were old men. I kicked him under the table and whispered under my breath.

“I'm gonna kick your ass later.”

He laughed. “Doubtful.”

“Isn’t that cute?” my mother remarked. “Carson and Carly and Ryan and Rory. Oh, I just love that. And the next time I invite you boys for dinner, you be sure to bringboththose men.”

“Yes, Ma,” we answered in unison.

“You know,” she said, covering her mouth, “I used to have a tiny crush on him years ago, when we were younger. I chased my brother and Rory all over town, trying to make it look like a coincidence that I’d show up wherever they happened to be.”

My brother and I laughed around a mouth full of food.

“Don’t you dare tell him that!”

“Your secret is safe with me,” I promised.

“Me, too,” Carson seconded.

My mother pointed her finger at him. “Nothing is safe with you. You have a big mouth.”

* * *

I always loved goingto work, but never more so than now, knowing Rory was there waiting for me. I waved to Ryan as he walked in. Tonight, he was here to see me, not my brother. Ryan and I were working on his brain child, The Libations Bible, a book of all the different cocktails and shots and their ingredients. It would sit atop the bar for customers to browse. My hope was that they would be introduced to new drinks and be tempted to spend twice the money.

“Hey, Carly! I’m so excited to get started.”

He followed me to a booth in the lounge. Ryan opened his laptop and connected to our Wi-Fi server while I flipped through my bartenders manual. We worked well together; me pointing out drinks I wanted to add while he copied them down in a document. Later, we would print everything out and have it bound in a leather cover.

The entertainment tonight was Kelley, the star of the stage with his sexy burlesque routine. Ryan and I only had another two hours to work in relative peace before the bar began to fill up for the main performance.

“We definitely have to add the Harvey Wallbanger. It’s one of Carson’s favorites.”

I gave Ryan a skeptical look, arching my brow. “You do realize he likes it because of the name, Wallbanger, and not the Galliano?”

Ryan smacked his forehead and let his hand trail down his face. “I should have known. I’m totally not surprised,” he admitted, laughing. “So how’s it going with Rory?” he asked, following my line of sight.

“Nope. I refuse to give you any details. It’s like handing my brother ammunition to use against me.”

We worked for a while longer before cleaning up our mess, as the bar started to fill.

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