Page 32 of Beauty and Kaos

Mia reappears in the kitchen, her black ponytail swishing in her wake as she walks our way.

And she has gifts.

She sets down several shot glasses of amber liquid on the table, glancing between Zaden and I.

“Lemons need tequila,” she explains, picking up one of the shots and shaking a dusting of salt on her hand from a shaker. “Bartender boyfriend benefits.”

“And Evan said this job didn’t have any benefits,” I comment in amusement, taking the salt shaker from her.

“It doesn’t,” Mia says, lifting her shot and clinking it against mine. “That’s why we make our own.”

My gaze locks with Zaden’s as I lick the salt from my hand, and toss the shot back, reveling in the burn as it travels down my throat. He takes his straight, his attention falling to my mouth as I place the lemon wedge between my lips and suck. His eyes darken intensely, then shift back to mine. I know I’m playing a dangerous game here, but it’s too much fun to stop.

“Evan’s about to start cutting us,” Mia divulges, making a face as she sucks her lemon wedge.

“What’s his investment in this?” I ask. “He’s cutting half his staff so they can go to a concert?”

“He owns the property,” Zaden answers. “We can use it as a music venue as long as he can capitalize on the publicity and promote his other businesses. The property is basically a vacant lot after the last hurricane, with only a few of the larger RV units left standing.”

I nod. “Advertisement.”

Zaden nods in agreement. “He has his name all over it, from Sandbar branded band fliers, to Aurora drink coupons. He’s using the band, but the band needs the space. It all works out.”

“I do my best to cut the advertisements when I do the videoediting,” Mia adds with a smile. “We don’t get a kick-back from any of that, so fuck him.”

I laugh.

“Did you decide to come with us?” Mia asks.

I nod, and she cheers. “See how hard I work for customer acquisition? I need a raise.”

“I’m already paying for your internet,” Raven interjects, squeezing through the crowd of cooks and servers to grab a shot of tequila.

“Yeah, so I can edit your shit.”

Raven tosses back her shot and forgoes the lemon. “If we stay on this trajectory, maybe I’ll pick up your electricity bill too. But I need to store equipment at your house.”

Mia frowns. “I don’t want all your ugly boxes.”

Raven shrugs. “How badly do you want that raise?”

Mia shoves her playfully.

“You’re inviting the new girl?” Ryan asks from behind me, reaching for the last tequila shot. “It can get pretty wild sometimes, is she ready for that?”

I glance over at him, surprised at the challenge in his tone. I thought Ryan was pretty chill. I take the shot glass before he can reach it, and shoot it back quick.

“Don’t underestimate the new girl,” I warn, flashing him a smirk as I scoop up the empty glasses off the table and squeeze through the sliver of space between him and Zaden.

Zaden could give me room to get by, but he doesn’t. He crowds me in, purposefully unmoving as I press my chest against him and shimmy through. Amused, I glance up at him, and curse myself for the way the world falls away.

Katrina walks by with several pans, headed to the dish pit. “You guys suck, leaving me here to close while you all go off and get…” She pauses, glancing between Zaden and I, an eyebrow raised. She clears her throat and dramatically moves on. “Drunk. And stuff. Jesus. Let’s get Katrina to close to make up for her MIA brother. She doesn’t like live music or sexy goth girl musicians.”

I smile and look away, then stride off toward the bar. The tequila warms my insides, awakening parts of myself that have felt dead for days. This is probably a horrible idea. Maybe my worst one yet.

But this is how I get close to them. I’m bonding. Breaking barriers. Working my way into the inner circle where the secrets lie. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

After dropping the shot glasses in the bar sink, I stride back out into the dining room to survey my tables. Drinks are full, tables are bussed, waiting on food for one. My gaze drifts further, out toward the beach beyond the deck. The wave height is higher today, and choppy. There must be a storm offshore.

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