Levi doesn’t take his eyes off mine until he places the drink on a tray that the server carries toward the tables, where a group of people cheers. He does a little bow and then comes over.
“Good evening, stranger. How may I assist your thirst?” he asks.
“I want to see your magic.” I put my hand over my mouth because I can’t believe what I’ve just said. And now I need something really strong to get over the embarrassment.
“Well, that’s a little forward, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from the guy growing dicks in a pot.” He winks and then leans closer. “I have a break coming up. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
“You’re also growing dicks?” Fuck my life. I need to communicate by sign language from now on. Why didn’t I bring a pen and notebook?
“I am now…” He pauses, his eyes going dark, making me want to jump the bar so I can jump him.
Deep breaths, Arlo. Deep breaths.
“So aside from an indecent proposal, can I get you something to drink?” he asks.
My cheeks feel warm as I try to find the right words to ask for what I want without asking for what I want.
He holds up a finger. “Leave it with the master. I know exactly what you need.”
“I expect great things,” I say.
“And great things you shall have.”
There’s another bartender behind the bar. They move around each other in a practiced dance. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
Still, it’s Levi my eyes don’t want to move away from as he crushes some fruit and adds three different mixes to make my cocktail. I don’t know what they are, but I know it’s going to taste wonderful.
“Here you are, kind sir. I hope you like it.” He places the drink in front of me, and I’m immediately taken by the familiar smells.
I take a sip and close my eyes to appreciate the taste. I’m transported to a different place. Summer. Music. Food. Freedom. All the things I found in a land far away are all inside the drink.
When I open my eyes again, Levi is still there, waiting for my reaction.
I don’t know if I want to cry, laugh, or dance. My chest feels tight, and after the letter I got earlier, I worried I’d never feel all the good things again.
Levi’s brows narrow, but all I can do is run.
Outside, the late spring air is cold. When I take a deep breath, the tiny daggers of ice stabbing my airway bring me to a halt. There’s a bench outside The Academy by the steps, so I sit there, staring at the buildings in front of me.
“Arlo,” Levi calls for me. I’m too embarrassed to answer, but it doesn’t take long for him to see me. “Hey, are you okay?”
His genuine worry makes me want to open up, even though I don’t want to burden him with my problems.
“Here. You left it behind, and this cocktail should never be left unfinished.”
I take the drink from him and down it all in one go. The burn of the alcohol makes me cough, but it’s also warm, and that feels good.
“Thank you,” I say. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t usually…what’s in the drink?”
“Pomegranate, rose water, star anise vodka, and tonic. You mentioned traveling through India, so I did some research.”
I’m lost for words that Levi would do that on the off chance I might come over to the bar and ask for a cocktail instead of my usual beer. “Anaar-Kali. That’s the cocktail, isn’t it?”
He nods and then holds my hand with both of his. “Do you want to talk about what bothered you? I’ll never forgive myself if I have anything to do with it.”
“I’m sorry. That was a stupid reaction to what was the most perfect moment of today. You took me back to India. That’s more special than you’ll ever know.”
His hands are warm and soft. I look down and give him my other hand. He takes it without question with his palms facing up. I slide my hands over his until they close over his wrists and then back to where only our fingers are touching.
