On the Rocks (Mixology #2)(40)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“What are you doing here?” I turned in his arms. I hoped he hadn’t showed up to rile me up. I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

“I’m here to help of course.”

“To help?” I hadn’t even considered asking him to help. He’d suffered through weeks of the online course and drink quizzing. He’d definitely done his boyfriend duties.

“Yeah. I told you I was going to help you with this.”

“Yeah—by sitting through those bartending classes with me.”

“Well, I’m here tonight too. I figure I’ll be able to distract the female customers while you work. You’re mostly going to be on your own with the men.”

“Is the thought of my boyfriend flirting with other women supposed to make me feel better?”

“Who said I was going to flirt? All I need to do is smile and look pretty.”

I groaned. “Not everyone likes to sit around and admire you all day.”

“Nope, that’s just what I want to do to you.”

“Just stare?”

“Of course not.” He moved behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist again. “You know the kind of things I want to do to you.”

My breathing picked up. “If I make it through tonight, do I get to find out?”

His hands slid lower, eventually cupping my ass. “Of course. We’ll get through the evening.”

I turned in his arms and kissed him lightly on the lips. “You really are the best.”

“Remember that next time I do something stupid. Maybe we can count this as a preemptive get out of jail free card.”

I laughed. “Were you planning to do something bad?”

“No, but I’m sure I’ll mess up eventually. It’s bound to happen.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome… and just so you know, contrary to what Maddy tells you, I’m not here to make sure guys don’t hit on you.” He grinned.

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Maddy might think so?”

“She might, but that’s really not why I’m here.”

“Does it make me anti-feminist if that doesn’t bother me?”

“No, it makes you a good girlfriend. You don’t like having other guys hit on you. That’s a good thing.”

“Your flirtations are more than enough.”

“I know.”

I laughed. “Okay, let’s do this.”

“Too bad we can’t have a drink first.”

“Nope. No drinking on the job.”

My first customer was Colin. You’ve got to love a big brother who shows up exactly at the right minute to put you at ease.

He had a big goofy grin on his face, and I knew something was up.

“Why are you smiling?

“I got you something.” He pulled a vase of purple lilies from behind his back. “I think these are still your favorite.”

“Aww, thanks Colin!” I walked around the bar to give him a hug.

“Of course, but I think you might like the first night gift your boyfriend got you better.”

“What gift?” I turned back around where Macon stood with his own goofy grin. “I’ll show you later.”

“Okay… if you insist.” I fake pouted. Knowing there was a surprise waiting might help me make it through what I knew would be a busy night.

I thanked Colin for the flowers by mixing him a perfect Manhattan without him having to tell me what he wanted. I could thank Maddy for that little tip.

He sipped the drink. “Nice job, little sis.”

“You can go watch Maddy if you want. I’m sure you’d rather be out there.” I knew he was especially worried about Maddy bartending now that she was pregnant.

“I can stay here if you want.”

“I have back up.” I patted Macon’s arm.

“You do. I’ll see you later.” Colin waved before heading back down the stairs.

Busy was the understatement of the century. Max must have done some serious PR work getting the word out about the new bar, because I’d never seen so many people in one place. With the picturesque view of the water, I could understand the draw.

“There’s no way I could have done this on my own,” I whispered.

“And there’s no way you would have had to. I told Max I’d be here. Otherwise he’d have been up here himself. You know that.”

“All right, let’s do this.”

I got lucky at first. I served about a dozen beers before someone asked for a mixed drink. Thankfully it was one I knew well because I loved them, a Cosmo. I decided the girl wouldn’t mind if I put my own twist on the garnish, and I added a flower petal.

“Thanks.” She took the drink and walked off with her boyfriend. I tried to look over people’s heads so I could watch her drink it.

“She’s smiling, you’re good.” Macon patted my back lightly. His height came in handy.

Things picked up even more, and Macon and I were bumping into each other trying to keep up. I messed up once giving a guy a whiskey on the rocks when he wanted it neat, but that was more about the noise level than anything else. At least that was an easy fix—I just poured a new one.

Around midnight I thought I was about to pass out. I’d never worked so hard in my life. I grabbed a bottle of water and downed it. I hadn’t realized how dehydrated I’d become. Max appeared through the crowd. “Why don’t you head home? I have this.”

“Did I do something wrong?” I slipped off my shoes for a moment. They may have made me feel sexy, but they weren’t particularly comfortable.

“Of course not, but I’d rather you still want to come back tomorrow night.”

“Are you sure?” I felt bad deserting, but he was my boss, he had the final say.

“Absolutely. I haven’t been behind the bar in a while. I’m looking forward to it.”

I would have doubted him if it wasn’t for the smile on his face as he moved behind the bar. I grabbed my vase of lilies and let Macon lead me through the crowds and out back to the Tiki bar.

“Hey!” Maddy called over the loud music.

“I did it!”

Colin laughed and pulled me into a hug. “I’m strangely proud.”

“Strangely?”

“I never thought I’d be proud of my sister for bartending, but you set your mind to it and learned something new. That’s a cool thing.”

“In other words I’m rubbing off on him.” Maddy grinned.