On the Rocks (Mixology #2)(50)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“I’ll take a dirty martini please.”

I looked up at the sound of the familiar voice. “Kim? What are you doing here?”

“I heard the bartender working tonight was really good. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.” She smiled awkwardly in a forced way that a woman should never have to do with her sister.

“So, you’re not here to accuse me of being a home wrecker again?” I scooped some ice into a glass and set to work pouring a drink for another customer. I tried to keep my heart rate normal. I noticed the curious stares, but I ignored them. The nice thing about tourists is you didn’t usually see the same person twice.

“I’m sorry.” She set her jaw. Apologizing wasn’t something that came easy for Kim.

“Listen, I don’t have the time to argue with you right now. I’m working.” I spread out my arms at the swelling crowd.

“I see that, and I’m not here to argue.”

“Then why are you here? There’s no way you came just to apologize.”

“I wanted to see you. What’s happening between us isn’t right.”

I blinked back tears. She was right about that. “Can we talk later? Or tomorrow if you don’t want to stick around that long? I’m guessing you’re staying at Colin’s?”

“No. I got a hotel. I wasn’t sure if I was welcome at his house.”

“He’s your brother. He wouldn’t turn you away.” Whatever my issues with Kim, Colin would never turn his back on either of us.

“Maybe I’ll stop by and see him.”

A thought suddenly occurred to me. “Wait. If you haven’t seen Colin yet, how’d you know where to find me?”

“Your boyfriend told me.”

“What?” I overfilled a beer, making a mess. I grabbed a cloth and wiped it up.

“You gave Mom and Dad an address to send your mail. I showed up and met your roommates. They’re both nice by the way.”

“I know that.”

“Macon’s crazy about you. He wants you to be happy, and he thinks we need to talk.”

“Let’s do breakfast tomorrow.” Breakfast would be safe, a set time.

“Sure, but is that before or after your big presentation?” She smiled.

“Did Macon tell you about that too?”

“Actually, your other roommate did.”

“Excuse me!” A guy yelled to get my attention.

“All right, I won’t distract you anymore. Just get me my martini, and I’ll see you at Colin’s tomorrow morning.”

I made the martini, trying not to make a face. I hated olives and didn’t understand why anyone would ruin a perfectly good drink that way, but Kim wasn’t the only one. I decided there was no reason to put off the conversation. “You really wouldn’t mind waiting around?”

She took a small sip of her martini. “This is good, kid. And I’ll wait as long as I have to. I’ve always loved people watching.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of Kim’s appearance, but I didn’t have much time to worry about it. The crowd only grew. Sometimes there were benefits to being busy. Before I knew it, it was closing time. Kim waited for me to grab my stuff and clock out. It was really late, but I knew Max wouldn’t be locking up for a while. We took a seat at a table upstairs.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Kim interrupted.

“I’m sorry. Before you say anything I just needed to say that again.”

“I can’t believe you actually believe I’d do something like that.” I looked down, unwilling to look her in the eye and to let her know how much she’d hurt me.

“I didn’t. In my heart I didn’t, I just couldn’t accept that Jasper would.”

“Why did you marry him?” I knew my words were harsh, but if we were having a heart-to-heart it might as well have been honest.

“Are you really asking me that?” She fumbled with straps of her purse.

“Yes, but I don’t really expect you to answer.”

“I fell in love with him. He was everything I thought I wanted in a husband. He was everything Mom and Dad said I needed in a husband. What other reason would there be?”

“None.” I shifted in my chair, looking for a comfortable spot that probably didn’t exist.

“I knew how you felt though. No one told me the details, but I wasn’t blind. I knew something had happened with you guys, but I just ignored it. And that’s probably why it was so easy to make myself believe Jasper. If you had crush on him back then, why wouldn’t you still have one now?”

“Because a teenage crush is completely different from a grow woman’s desire to get involved with her sister’s husband.”

“I know.” She reached for my hand. “I’m an idiot.”

I let her take my hand. “But you did more than believe him about me being the instigator, you decided on your own to believe that something actually happened.”

“I know.” She used her free hand to bury her face. “It seemed easier than accepting our marriage wasn’t working for other reasons.”

“You mean it was easier to blame it on me.” I wasn’t sure where my nerve was coming from, but it felt good. It felt good to finally stand up for myself.

“You’re so lucky, Carly. You’ve always had everything.” She dropped her hand to her side.

“Me? Have everything? What about you? You’ve always been Mom and Dad’s favorite. The perfect one.” I didn’t bother to keep the cynicism from my voice.

“Because I was supposed to be. I let them pick out everything for me, even my husband.” She wiped away some tears. “But not you. You’ve never followed anyone blindly, let alone our parents. You’ve made your own choices and in the end you’re a happier person because of it.”

“Don’t make it sound like it’s been easy.” I pulled my hand away but left it resting on the table.

“I’m not trying to. I know it hasn’t been, and I’m a major part of why your life’s been hard lately.”

“Well, you can stop worrying about me. I’m fine.”

“Really? I don’t think you’re fine.” She stared at me intently.

I crossed my arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

A small smile spread across her face. “I think you’re great, amazing even. You’re really finding your way, and you’ve got a great guy in your life. Like I said, you’re lucky.”