“You cheated.”
Brady arched a brow, completely unfazed by my accusation.“You were stalling, and your trash talk was weak.”
I raised my finger, my arm heavier than I remembered, and jabbed it in his direction.It wobbled a bit in the air, which only made Brady laugh.
He grabbed my glass, wiped the wood down in front of me, and threw the bar rag over his shoulder.“You’ve had two of our strongest cocktails.One more and you’ll be jumping up to sing karaoke.”
“You don’t have karaoke here.”
“Exactly.”
“I’d have you know I kill at karaoke night at the winery.”
A smirk settled on Brady’s rugged face.“I’ll admit your rendition of I Will Survive was solid.Not great, but solid.”
“Well, I’m not surviving now.My life is in shambles.The love of my life has left me, and it’s only a matter of time before she finds a real man with big muscles and a beard.”I ran my hand over my face.“I can’t grow a beard.Did you know that?Comes in all patchy.Unlike you, who was probably born with a five o’clock shadow.”I glanced up at Brady, who was still holding the alcohol from me.“Can I touch it?”I reached for his beard, and he smacked my hand away.“Next time I’ll break your fingers.”
“Just add it to the list of broken parts.”I sighed and clunked my head on the bar.
“Is he okay?”Meadow asked, then poked me.
I lifted a hand and waved her off.“Just peachy.Thanks for asking.”
“Why don’t I make you one of my specialty cocktails?”Meadow said.
I lifted my head, a big smile spreading wide across my face as I tried to focus on Meadow, but there were two of her.“Do you have a twin?”I pointed to the other Meadow.
“Jesus,” Brady mumbled before picking up his phone.
“How about that drink?”Meadow said and grabbed a shaker.
“I’d love one.Brady thinks I’m at my limit.”
I heard the sound of ice in the metal shaker, the splash of the liquid hitting the glass.Meadow pushed it over to me, and I picked it up.A tree landed in my mouth, and I sputtered it out.Mint danced across my tastebuds.
“It’s a mint sprig.It’s garnish.Most people don’t eat it,” Meadow said.
“It got in the way.”
I took a sip.The mix of lavender and lemon hit my palate, followed by a little fizz.“This is delicious!”I declared, holding the glass up with a little too much flair.Liquid splashed over the top and hit the bar.
Brady sighed and grabbed the rag from his shoulder to wipe it down.
The door opened, and Jack, Brady’s adorable pup, wandered over to greet the newcomers.He had it under control, and the bar top was looking more and more cozy.I rested my head, hugging the glass to me.The mint sprig stuck to my cheek.I peeled it off and shoved it into my pocket.
“He’s over here,” Brady said.
Two strong hands grabbed either side of me and lifted me straight off the barstool.I glanced to my right—Laurent, all sharp cheekbones and unfairly perfect hair—and to my left, Nero, who looked like he’d bench press me just to prove a point.Not saying that never happened before…
“How much has he had?”
“Is that Franc?”I tried to glance around the two human walls holding me up.
“Two cocktails.”
“Don’t forget this one!”I held up the drink I managed to keep in my hands.
“That’s a mocktail,” Meadow said.
