Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1)(4)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Is that a problem? Do you not have Heineken?”

“We have Heineken.” I turned around, grabbed the beer, and made yet another Sex on the Beach. I tried to concentrate on the music while I worked, but the guy ordering the drinks was busy talking to my roommates.

“Here you go.” I set down the drinks after adding the orange and maraschino cherry. As pointless as it sometimes seems, garnish has its place. Presentation has more value than you’d think. “Do you want me to open a tab?”

“Oh, no thanks.” He put down a twenty. “Keep the change.”

I leaned against the back counter again right as Lyle finished the song. Darn it. It had been a new one, and I hoped he’d play it again. I was in need of a new song to dissect.

Brody used the break for applause to lay it on me. “Lucky Max didn’t see the way you treated that guy.”

“Come on. He deserved it.”

“Oh? Is there a sign that says don’t bug the moody bartender while she’s listening to her dream boyfriend sing?”

I crossed my arms, determined to enjoy the rest of the set.

Lyle started singing again, and thankfully this time no one interrupted.

“Oh my god, Maddy, you missed it.” Macon downed his water. I’d cut him off after two drinks since he was driving home.

“What?”

Macon leaned forward, his face stopping only a few inches from mine. “He took three sips.”

“Really?” He rarely took two sips—and three? It was a new record. I looked at Brody. He usually gave everything away.

He nodded.

“Hmm, I guess he does like whiskey.”

Yeah, I was pathetic.

Chapter Two

I peeked out the window again. Colin struck me as the kind of guy who was on time or early, but he was already twenty minutes late. After asking me out a half-dozen times, I was beyond surprised that he might have been standing me up. I may have initially rejected him, but that didn’t mean I wanted him rejecting me, and despite the nerves, I was looking forward to seeing him without a bar between us.

Some people would say accepting a date with one guy while obsessing over another was a mistake, but I’d spent the whole summer waiting for Lyle to show me even the smallest amount of interest. It was time to give up. Instead, I focused on Colin’s smile and his deep Southern drawl. His voice was warm and sexy. I sighed, dropping the blind back into place.

“Chill out, Maddy. He’s late. You didn’t even want to go out with him.” Macon shared his never-ending support while he made a sandwich in the kitchen. Our condo, which was really Macon’s condo, was an open floor plan with three bedrooms. His parents bought it as an investment property, so he was living in it and charging Brody and me rent. My parents and Macon’s were close, and that was probably the only reason they didn’t try to get me committed when I told them I was going to live with two guys. I liked my living situation. It was cheaper than if I got my own place, and the best part was I could ride my bike (as in bicycle) to work. I didn’t have a car, and I didn’t plan on getting one anytime soon.

I tossed my purse down on the end table and sat on the couch. “He could have at least called and given me an excuse.”

“You prefer for a guy to lie to you?”

“It’s better than sitting around waiting.” I crossed my arms.

“Either he shows up or he doesn’t. Moping around isn’t going to help. Want a sandwich?”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

A knock on the door stopped us from continuing the conversation. I got up, but Macon beat me to the door. “Hello. Can I help you?”

“I’m here for Maddy.”

“She was expecting you at noon.”

I groaned. Macon could be such an ass sometimes.

I pushed Macon out of the way. “Hey.”

“Maddy.” Colin looked distraught. “I’m so sorry. I got caught up with work and my damn phone didn’t get service out at the project I was checking up on.”

“Oh, that’s okay. We can reschedule if you want.”

His face fell. “Why? Do you want to? Do you have somewhere you need to be soon?”

“No, but if you’re busy with work…”

“Oh no. That’s fine now. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

“All right, then let’s go.” I turned around again. Macon was back to his sandwich. “Bye.”

He piled on something resembling ham. I’d learned not to eat anything in the fridge I didn’t buy myself. Brody was protective of his food, and Macon’s wasn’t safe. “Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Is there anything you wouldn’t do?”

He grinned. “A few things.”

I half-smiled. “See ya later.”

Colin led the way down the two flights of stairs. He stopped in front of a BMW convertible and opened the passenger door for me. Either he had a lot of money, or he wanted people to think so. I wasn’t sure which it was.

I slipped in, tugging down my skirt to protect my legs from the scorching leather seat. “Thanks.”

“Of course. Thanks for agreeing to go out with me.” He closed my door and went around to the driver’s side.

I smiled. There was no reason to remind him of how many times I’d turned him down before. It’s not like I wasn’t attracted to him from the beginning—it would have been impossible not to be. Tall, around six foot, with jet-black hair, he was striking. He was definitely my type.

“I thought we’d head down to the beach. I know a great spot there that’s perfect for a picnic.”

“Do you take all of your dates there?” I wondered what was so special about the spot he wanted to take me. We were on the Outer Banks, so the beach was everywhere.

“No. I’ve never had a picnic date before.”

“I have, but not on the beach.” Mine had been in a park at night during high school. The picnic was great and all until I discovered my date had packed condoms in the picnic basket. That date didn’t last long. Neither did our relationship.

“Oh.” There was a definite note of disappointment in his voice. “Did you enjoy it?”

“Not particularly.” No reason to share the details. “I have a feeling this one will be much more enjoyable.”

“Good.” He downshifted as we headed farther from town. The wind cooled down the seat, and a few minutes in, I let myself relax. It was only a date. Just because the guy was older and someone I barely knew didn’t make it any different than other dates.