Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1)(40)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Just a feeling.”

“Any other dates lined up?”

“Who am I going to date? This place is dead.”

I leaned back against the counter. “You usually manage.”

“This is going to be my last winter here.”

“Because you can’t get enough action?”

He laughed. “No, because it’s getting boring.”

“Well, you can’t put off grad school forever.”

“I guess it’s time to start applying.”

“I guess so.” I wondered if his reluctance to apply had something to do with losing the job with his uncle. Was he so deflated he didn’t want to do business at all anymore?

“So tell me about Carly.” He finished off his drink. He was drinking beer for a change.

“She’s twenty-one and pretty cool. There’s something weird going on with her and her family though.”

“What do you mean?” Macon asked with real interest. He was a little gossip at heart.

“Her parents were cold to her, and Colin never told me when she was here visiting.”

“When was she here?”

“Oh wait. I haven’t told you yet. She was the girl I saw him with when I was out with Ralph.”

“No you don’t. Don’t just slip in that kind of detail. I thought that was your undeniable knowledge that he’d moved on from you.”

“Anyone could have made that mistake.” I wasn’t about to admit to how quickly I’d jumped to conclusions.

“Your lameness aside, did you ask him about it?”

I pulled out another lime for an order of margaritas. “Yeah, he wouldn’t explain.”

“Kind of sketch.”

“I know. I’m not sure whether to let it go.”

“What does your ‘gut feeling’ say?” He used air quotes, making fun of how often I relied on my instinct.

“To wait him out.”

“Between this mystery and your inability to figure out Lyle’s drink, you’ve got a lot of detective work to do.”

I laughed. “Or I need to get a life.”

“Speaking of a life.” Macon nodded over his shoulder as Colin made his way back to the bar. He was wearing a shirt and tie. Evidently, he hadn’t gone home to change.

“Hey.” I smiled. “You made it.”

“I told you I would.”

Macon looked between us. “How are you doing, man?”

“I’ve been good. Very good.” Colin looked right at me as he spoke.

Macon rolled his eyes. I stifled a laugh.

“And you?” Colin asked.

“I’ve been fine. Glad to hear things seem to be going well with you two.”

“So am I. Did Maddy tell you about our weekend?” Colin spoke only to Macon and his tone bordered on alpha male. It annoyed me. It’s one thing for guys to have a pissing contest when they’re both trying to get in bed with you, but this one was pointless.

“Yes, she did. Glad you guys finally got some real time together.”

“Are you glad?” Colin asked with an edge to his voice.

“Yeah. I’m always glad when my friend is happy.” I appreciated Macon emphasizing the platonic nature of our relationship. Colin didn’t need to feel so threatened by it.

“Good to know.”

“What can I get you?” I knew Colin wasn’t there for a drink, but I figured I should at least ask.

“Surprise me.”

“Really?” I set aside the IPA I’d already pulled out for him.

“Yeah. I realized you’ve never made me a drink before.”

“Okay. Give me a second.”

All right, I had to get it right. He usually stuck to beer, so I wanted to stay away from anything sweet. But he liked lime flavor. He wouldn’t want anything complicated—he was a classic kind of guy, so I decided to go simple. A Sapphire and tonic. I went a little heavier on the Sapphire then I usually would, but I was pretty sure I had the perfect consistency for him. I stirred in some fresh lime.

I set the drink in front of him. “I hope you like gin.”

He sipped it. “It’s great, thanks.”

Relieved that I’d gotten another drink right, I reached over and picked up his hand. “I’m glad you stopped in.”

“This isn’t just a stop.” He sipped his drink again. “I’m here to take you home too.”

Macon coughed. “Forward. Nice.”

Colin turned to him. “Maddy’s kind of addicting.”

“I bet.” Macon gave me a look when Colin turned away.

“And I’ll drive you home before I go in tomorrow,” Colin added.

“I can pick her up. We’re supposed to leave for a dive at seven thirty. She’d assured me she’d be sleeping at home.”

Neither of them made the simple suggestion of us staying at my place. I didn’t either, our walls were entirely too thin. Instead, I made another. “Or I could borrow your car, Macon.”

“Not a chance. I’ll pick you up.”

Colin looked at me funny. “You have a license?”

“Yeah. How did you think I drove your sister’s car?”

“Oh. Good point. I didn’t think about that. I assumed that’s why you didn’t have a car.”

“I got my license the first day I could, thank you very much.”

“Then why no car? Money?”

“Can you stop insinuating I’m poor?”

Macon jumped in. “It’s because she doesn’t want to get hers from her parents’ house.”

“Oh. Why not?”

“Really? I’ve already told you about my relationship with them.”

“But it’s your car.”

“Technically, it’s not. It’s in my dad’s name, I just drove it.”

“Oh. Well, if you need help with a down payment on a new one or something—”

“No. No offering to buy me a car.”

Colin laughed. “I’m not buying you a car, just helping out.”

Macon shook his head. “She’s a keeper, man. What other girl would act like a free car was a bad thing?”

“Is she always like this? So hesitant to accept help?”

“I don’t know. She’s always happy enough to take my money.”

I glared at Macon. Really helpful. “I like to do things on my own.”

“Does she say that about sex too?” Macon grinned. I reached over to slap him, but he ducked. “You asked for that one.”