My heart squeezed. His offer was so generous. I wasn’t close enough with that crowd to ask them myself, but surely they would know lots of people. And have top-notch recommendations.
“You’re the best, Jonah. Thank you.”
“You bet.”
A comfortable silence lingered for a few moments before I asked. “Whatchya doing?”
“I’m about to head to a vodka distillery called Galliger for a rep tasting. They’re throwing a rep party to show us their new line of infused vodkas.”
Galliger was a North Carolina–based spirits company that had popped up a couple of years ago and struggled to get its product in local bars. Mostly because it was terrible. Somehow, they’d hung on and survived. Recently they were rumored to have finally figured out how to make their stuff taste good. And a relaunch was in the works.
“That’s a drive.”
I could hear him shrug in his car. He didn’t make any sound, but I knew him well enough. “It’s a night of free drinking. And apparently, they’re opening a glamping spot, so they’re letting us stay on property.”
I barely contained my laugh. “You’re glamping?”
“Mmm, more like passing out in a bed after I drink myself stupid on shitty vodka.”
“Sounds like a whole vibe.”
“You should come.”
His invite was so fast that I felt like I probably heard him wrong. “What?”
“Can you take the rest of the night off? It starts at seven thirty. We can share the tent or cabin or plot of land or whatever it is, and I’ll have you back to Durham by midmorning tomorrow.”
“I can’t go with you.” I didn’t exactly sound convinced, but I was right. I couldn’t just drop everything and go with him to Wentworth. For the night. But... it did sound fun.
And it was free booze.
“Why not?” he pressed, clearly hearing how unresolved I was.
“Well, I wasn’t invited, for one.”
“They won’t mind a plus-one. I think it even asked if we wanted to bring one on the invite. It won’t be a thing.”
“Did you RSVP?”
“I’m telling you, they won’t care. It’s a party. The more, the merrier.”
“Jonah...”
“Hey, if it’s a problem, I’ll tell them you’re thinking about stocking their vodka. We can sell them a whole Galliger night. Happy hours with Galliger. Seasonal cocktails with Galliger. They’ll eat it up.”
“Are you leaving right now, though?” Wentworth was an hour and a half north. It was already past five, and I didn’t have anything with me. Plus, Will wasn’t back yet.
Although Ada and Charlie could easily manage for an hour or so. Probably. Or maybe noteasilymanage, but at least survive an hour alone.
“Are you at the bar?” he asked instead of answering my question.
“Yes.”
“I’ll swing by in five. We can stop by your apartment real fast and be on the road in thirty minutes.” Sensing my hesitation, he added, “Did I forget to mention the free booze?”
“Do I need to dress warm or whatever? How rustic is this glamping adventure?”
“You’ll be fine. They’re not sending us out to the tundra. Obviously, it will be heated.” When I still hadn’t committed, he softened his voice and coaxed, “Don’t make me go alone, Liza. I need someone to make sure I don’t make a fool out of myself. You know how I get around vodka.”
