Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1)(9)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“You have to tell them eventually.”

“Eventually is later. Not tonight.” I’d been saying that same thing for weeks, every time I let their calls go to voicemail. I couldn’t deal with them.

“Yes. There’s always room for later.” Macon maneuvered the boat back into its spot. I couldn’t believe I was gullible enough to fall for their stolen boat trick, but I had to admit it was a pretty good joke.

“It looks like we weren’t the only ones out this late.” Brody nodded toward a boat docking two down from ours.

“Not surprising.” I opted to wear the towel home around my waist and scooped up my clothes.

“Oh look, it’s Maddy’s little friend.” Macon unloaded the empty tanks and quickly soaked the gear in fresh water.

I hopped off the boat and regretted it instantly. I stopped short in front of Lyle. “Hi.”

“Hi.” He looked at me, then behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know both Macon and Brody had come off the boat already.

“Beautiful night.” Lyle ran a hand through his hair, his eyes still on my face.

“It is.”

“Did you guys go for a swim?” He gestured to my windblown, wet hair. I’m sure I looked fantastic.

“A dive.”

“Oh, cool.”

“We thought it was time Maddy lost her night dive virginity.” Macon put an arm around my shoulder. I shrugged it off. I didn’t need him playing games.

“Cool. I’ve never done it either.”

“Cool.” We’d officially gone way beyond our three-word conversations. Things were looking up.

“See ya at the Grille next week.” He half waved before walking off.

“Get an ounce of drool in my car, and you’re getting it cleaned.” Macon went around to the trunk and dumped some empty tanks in.

“Very funny.” I got in, noticing that Brody was giving me the front seat again.

Macon started the engine. “Come on, Maddy. Why do you get so tongue-tied around the guy? There’s nothing special about him.”

“Do I question you on the girls you like?”

“Yes, but that’s beside the point. I don’t like him. Did you see how he acted tonight?”

“How he acted? He finally acknowledged me for more than a minute.”

“Yeah, I wonder why.”

Brody laughed.

“What?”

Macon put a hand behind my seat. “You think it’s a coincidence he talked to you tonight? Look at what you’re wearing, or rather not wearing?”

“You really think he only talked to me because I’m in a bikini? It’s not like I have a lot on display.”

“Shut up with your ‘I’m too flat’ sob story. You’ve been bitching about that since you were thirteen. You still look good in a bikini.”

I crossed my arms. “I haven’t brought that up in years.”

Brody laughed again. “Man, you guys are too funny sometimes.”

“No, we aren’t.”

“Yes, you are. You have such a history, but it’s not sexual. You’d make a good comedy team.”

“Shut up, Brody,” we said at once. That only made Brody laugh harder.

Chapter Four

“Hello?” I struggled to wake up, only picking up my phone so it would stop ringing. When I chose a Ke$ha song as my ringtone, I hadn’t imagined it blaring over and over right next to my head.

“Maddy? Are you okay?” a vaguely familiar voice asked.

“Who is this?” I hadn’t bothered to check. At least it wasn’t either of my parents.

“It’s Colin. Did I call too early?” His voice rose slightly.

“What time is it?” I squinted as I tried to read my alarm clock, but I was pretty much blind without my contacts. My dad kept telling me to get LASIK, but pieces of plastic sounded better than surgery.

“It’s ten o’clock.”

“Oh, wow. I slept in.”

He chuckled. “Late night?”

“Yeah, very.”

“Do you think you’ll be feeling better by tonight?”

“Tonight?”

“I know it’s last minute, but I really want to see you again.” His voice was warm, and I wanted to get lost in it. I’d dreamed about him the night before—a surprising turn of events considering I’d run into Lyle.

“What time?”

“How about six-fifteen? I’ll make seven o’clock reservations.”

“I should be up by then.”

He laughed. “I’d hope so. I was thinking Owen’s Restaurant. Does that sound good?”

“Sounds great. Believe it or not, I haven’t been there.” There was nothing surprising about it. Fine dining wasn’t something I did much.

“That makes it even better.”

“I’ll see you at six-fifteen.”

“Great. I’ll be on time. I promise.”

I pulled my sheet up tighter around me. The guys always kept the AC on high. “I’ll hold you to it.”

I hung up with a smile. A night dive with my roommates one night followed by a date with Colin the next. Life could be worse.

***

“Wow.” Colin’s eyes glided over my body in a way that made me feel exposed—but not in a bad way. The appraisal made me feel sexy, desirable in a way I hadn’t felt in quite a while.

“Hi.”

He laughed. “Sorry, you took me by surprise.”

“Isn’t this appropriate for Owen’s?” I gestured to my black halter dress.

“Yes, but you look stunning.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you ready? Or should I come in?” He hesitated right outside the doorway. At least he wasn’t late this time.

“I’m ready.” I slipped outside, closing the door behind me. There was no way I wanted him talking to Macon before my date. Brody was out, but Macon would have jumped on the chance to embarrass me.

“All right.” He took my hand as we walked down the stairs. I slowed us down, still trying to get used to wearing heels again. I’d been wearing flip-flops almost exclusively since moving in. One of the perks of bartending at the Grille was that Max couldn’t care less about my shoe attire.

He opened the passenger door of his car, and I settled into my seat comfortably. Even on our second date, I was already getting kind of used to being in his car.

“I’m glad you agreed to see me again. I knew planning a date the day of was probably pushing my luck.” He started the car.