On the Rocks (Mixology #2)(28)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

It was time for me to jump in. “Bottom line, Colin. Your sister thinks she’s cramping your style. Once you and Maddy are engaged she’ll realize she’s being ridiculous.”

“And why do you care?”

“Because I care about both of them.”

“Both of them?”

“Yeah. Maddy’s my best friend, and Carly’s a pretty cool roommate. I don’t want her moving away because of you.” Calling her a cool roommate was quite the understatement, but considering who I was talking to it seemed like the right choice of words.

He shook his head and sighed. “It’s not like I want to wait until next month. If you want me to do it this weekend, are you guys going to help?”

“Of course.” Carly popped up on her toes. “Anything you need.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“Do that.” She hugged him. “All right, I have to get to work. Call me later and let me know what I can do.”

“See ya, man.” I started to follow Carly out.

“Macon?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure… but I have to drop Carly off at work.”

“She can take my car.” He leaned out the front door. “Carly, catch.” He tossed his keys to her.

She caught them. “What ever happened to me not being allowed to drive your lease?”

“It’s a one-time exception.”

She grinned. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“Don’t total it.” Colin smiled before walking back inside.

“What is it you want to talk about?” I already knew it wasn’t about Maddy. If it was he would have said it in front of his sister.

“What are you doing with Carly?”

“Excuse me?” I tried to play dumb.

“I see the way she looks at you, the way you hold yourself around her. What’s going on?”

I went with honest. “I don’t know.”

“Figure it out, and make sure you don’t hurt her in the process.”

“That’s the thing. I’m trying to figure out how not to hurt her.”

“Do you like her?”

This conversation was bordering on impossibly awkward. Talking to a guy about his sister was just about as bad as it could get. “Yeah. I like her.”

“Then it shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Are you giving me permission to date her?”

“Were you waiting for that? Do you really care what I think?”

“Surprisingly yes. She’s too good for me, and we both know that.” I glanced at the door that beckoned me.

“No. She’s too good for the way you usually deal with girls, but I’m assuming you’re not stupid enough to treat her that way.”

“I’m not that bad.” It was one of those moments when I wished I’d worked harder to combat the player reputation. Normally it was convenient.

“Either way, respect her.”

“Of course I’m going to respect her, but I don’t know what she wants.” Maybe Colin had some insight into Carly. I certainly didn’t know what to make of her.

“Then find out. We both know I had no idea what I was doing with Maddy in the beginning.”

“All right, I’ll do that.”

“Good.”

“Is that all you wanted to talk about?”

“Mostly.”

“What else is there?”

“She loves surprises. Don’t forget about it.”

I smiled. That was very important information. “Thanks. I’ll have to remember that.”

***

I wondered if this was how stalkers felt. I’d been standing off to the side of the outdoor tiki bar for a full five minutes and neither Maddy nor Carly had noticed me yet. I probably could have said something, but honestly I liked watching Carly. She was studying everything Maddy did like a hawk, and she was even taking notes on her phone. There was something ridiculously cute about that.

“Can we help you, creeper?”

I’d been so busy watching Carly that I didn’t notice Maddy’s attention move to me.

“Oh, hey.”

Carly glanced at me and she smiled. “What are you doing here?”

I could tell she was dying to know what Colin had said to me.

“Carly left before I could tell her something.”

“And what’s that?” Carly settled a hand on her hip. She was wearing a couple of bangle bracelets in bright primary colors. I hadn’t noticed earlier. She had a quirky sense of style I was starting to get used to.

“I signed us up for an online bartending class. We’re starting tonight.”

“What?” Maddy eyed the crowd forming around the bar. “Is that a joke?”

“Didn’t Carly tell you about our first attempt at teaching ourselves?”

“Attempt? Are you actually admitting you’re not good at something, Macon?” Maddy unsuccessfully tried to bite back a smile.

“Completely. I suck at it, we both do. We’re going to change that though.”

“Are we really starting tonight?” Carly’s question was loaded. She was asking me whether I thought it was a good idea or not. It was. I was going to be prepared this time.

“Yes. We’re all set.”

Maddy opened a couple of beers. “I so need to watch this.”

“Nope. You’re not invited.” I loved Maddy, but this was just for Carly and me.

She handed out the beers and pulled out two martini glasses. “You can’t keep me out.”

“Sure we can. You don’t live there anymore.”

Maddy groaned. “Whatever you say.”

“Exactly.” I winked at Carly. “See you at home.”

She shook her head. “Bye, Macon.”

Chapter Seventeen

Carly

“How does this work exactly?” I pulled up a stool to the island where Macon had lined up liquor bottles, glasses, shot glasses, and every other bar accessory we could ever need.

“We just sign in and listen to the lessons. Then we practice. At least that’s how I think it’s going to work.”

“And you’re really just going to sit here and do this with me?” Helping me for one night seemed normal, but agreeing to take a whole online class with me?

“Yeah. I could use the education myself. What if I meet a girl who wants me to mix her drinks?” His face fell as he said the words, like he regretted saying them.