“I need you to cut that.” I poured the brandy into one of the shakers. They didn’t have any shot glasses, so I did my best to measure two shots. I needed orange liquor, something to balance the flavor of the brandy. “Curaçao or triple sec… hm.” I stepped closer to Charlotte, grabbing the other two bottles of mystery drink. Taking the lid off the clear one, I sniffed. “Think this smells orangey?”
I held it out for her. She met my gaze, and my stomach tightened from the eye contact. Charlotte had no idea what her large brown eyes did to me.
She broke the trance, closing her eyes and sniffing. “I think it’s citrus enough.”
“Works for me.”
I poured a swig into the cup and then stirred. I licked the stirrer and frowned. Something was off. It was almost great, but why settle for average? Taking another straw, I swirled the cocktail and held it out for Charlotte. “Hm, can you try this for me?”
“My hands are sticky.” She held them in the air as she leaned over and closed her mouth around the stirrer, just an inch from my fingers. Holy shit. That was hot.
“Mm. Hayden, that’s delicious.” Her eyes lit up like I had impressed her.
It had been so long since she looked at me like that… I wanted more of it. “Thank you.”
“I never knew I liked brandy until now. Makes me feel tougher. More boss-like.” She laughed at herself and eyed me with a maniacal glee. “What else do we need?”
Her energy was contagious. My goodness. I couldn’t stop smiling at her.
“Would you be able to grate the lemon? I want to pour it into the glasses and rim it with a sugary lemon mix.”
“Who even are you right now? I’m loving this version of you.” She nudged her hip into mine, like we were the best of pals. Hayden and Charlotte. BFFs. We could wear matching bracelets and everything.
“Because I can make a drink?”
“Yes! And that you care enough about a rim. I don’t know, I don’t hang out with a lot of men who worry about details like that. They’d just drink from a bottle.” She shrugged, a weird tinge coming through her voice. “I’m complimenting you. It’s not my best delivery, but it’s really cool that you payattention to the little things. To even find someone normal to date, I spend time with guys who forget things like holding doors, or not checking your phone every five seconds. You’re focused on a sugary topping. That’s cool, that’s what I’m saying.”
“Huh.” In my effort to ignore her the last three years, my brain must’ve just shut off at the idea of her being with other guys. Obviously, she dated. She was a fucking knockout. But she must be dating idiots, because who wouldn’t hold the door or put their phone down when they were with her?
She liked that I focused on little things. It made me smile and want to continue it.
I took one of the bottles and crushed the sugar cube into smaller pieces as she grated the lemon onto a napkin. Her compliment warmed me. “Thanks, Charlotte. I know I can get caught up in my head often, so I make sure to pay attention to small things. I even keep notes in my phone—” I shut my mouth fast.
I had almost shared my secret.
“You what?” She faced me. “You keep notes on your phone?”
“Never mind.” My face heated as I picked up her lemon zest. “We need to hurry.”
“Hayden, you adorable man. I have so many questions. I’m not letting this go.” She handed me the third glass as I swiped the lemon around the top of the glass and then dipped it into the sugar mixture for the rim. Most of it stuck, and then I poured the liquor. “I think we need to name this. Might get us some more creativity points.”
“Sexy Santa Sidecar,” I said, without thinking. I met her gaze, and we shared a smile. God, I loved having this moment with her, like we had our own secret inside joke together. I tore off a piece of a napkin and wrote out the drink name.
“Wait!” Charlotte dove into the bag. She pulled out marshmallows and a toothpick. “We need little snowmen in the drinks!”
“Great idea.”
“One minute to bring your drinks to the judges! Once the music ends, you’re done.”
We finished the snowmen and placed them in the drinks. Carrying them, we walked over to the judges and set ours down next to our number without spilling. Done.
Charlotte gripped my arm and jumped up and down as we went back to our station. “This is so fun. I want more. I’m addicted to Christmas and competitions. I acknowledge that I, for sure, have a serious problem, but this is the best date night ever. I don’t want it to end!”
It had to be a slip of her tongue. She didn’t meandateas in the two of us, but I didn’t bother correcting her. I smiled. I sure as hell didn’t want it to end either.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHARLOTTE
