“So what’s good here? They got Bud Light?” Jay reached for the menu.
“Stop it.” Aaron batted his hand away with a laugh. “I forgot to ask, is it okay for you to drink with your migraines?”
“It’s fine. I know I got one the first night we met, but I promise, they’re very rare. And either way, alcohol’s never been a trigger for me.”
“In that case, you’re definitely getting an overpriced cocktail with a ridiculous name. What do you like?”
“Gin. Tequila. Nothing too sweet.”
“I’ll pick something.”
By the time their server arrived with two glasses of sparkling water, Aaron had gone through the entire cocktail list. Jay enjoyed watching his facial expressions—pursing his lips in distaste, tilting his head in thought, and even rolling his eyes at one of the entries.
“Good evening, gentlemen. What can I get for you tonight?” The server gave a slight nod and angled his body toward Jay, who had no idea how to answer. He hadn’t even touched the menu.
He was about to throw a panicked glance Aaron’s way when Aaron said, “I will have the Aztec Candy, thegentlemanwill have a Moonlit Canvas, and we’ll take the cheese board for the table.” Aaron spoke calmly, not bothered by the fact that the server wasn’t even looking in his direction.
“Of course.” The server’s expression remained impassive as he turned to Aaron. “The cheeseboard is typically paired with wine. Would you like to see our wine list?”
“No, thank you.” Aaron offered a polite smile. “I think it’ll pair perfectly with tequila.”
“Damn.” Jay shook his head when they were alone again. “This place is intense.”
“I’m surprised you recommended it. It doesn’t seem like your style.” Aaron took a sip of water, his long, elegant fingers gently wrapped around the glass.
Fuck, Jay wanted to be that glass.
Ripping his attention away from the drop of water trailing down Aaron’s hand, he shook his head. “Oh, it’s not. I came here once for a work thing. We were celebrating the end of a large project, and our boss brought us here and let us loose. I don’t think the staff appreciated a bunch of nerds crawling all over the place, asking what beers they had on tap.”
Aaron giggled. “Sounds like a night to remember. Did your boss learn his lesson?”
“Her lesson, and yes.” Jay chuckled, remembering Erica’s eye rolls at the next staff meeting. “We went to normal bars after that.”
“Well, I appreciate you foregoing normal for tonight and bringing me here.” Aaron lowered his voice. “This is exactly what I needed.” His gaze set Jay on fire, and the sly smile made him wonder whether Aaron was talking about the bar or the two of them sitting there together.
The server dropped off their drinks, and Jay carefully slid his glass closer, captivated by its shape—tall and elegant, with a slender stem and a wide, shallow bowl. The liquid inside was a mesmerizing blue, shimmering across the surface. A single leaf floated on top, crisp and symmetrical. How many leaves were discarded before they found the perfect one?
“What is this?” He pointed to his drink. “It’s fucking beautiful.”
Aaron smiled and leaned in. “Gin cocktail with some elderflower andcrème de violettefor the color. Oh, and a splash of prosecco on top to make it look like it’s moving. Is it moving?”
Aaron held his breath, eyes fixed on Jay’s glass, while Jay, just as still, watched him instead.
“I think I see a little ripple,” Aaron whispered and looked up.
“I see it too,” Jay whispered back without breaking eye contact.
A shy smile played on Aaron’s lips as he straightened out in his seat. “Nothing so exciting here.” He gestured at his own drink in a low glass with a short stem. It reminded Jay of a brandy glass, but instead of brandy, it was full to the brim with colors—yellow, red, blue, purple. Somehow, they didn’t mix with each other, and the impressive display was true to its name—everything about it looked like candy.
“What is it?” Jay asked.
“Tequila and a dozen different kinds of sugar.” Aaron picked up his drink, carefully bringing it to his lips. “I didn’t expect it to be quite so large. I’m not sure I can handle this much sugar.”
He could. By the time their cheese board arrived, most of Aaron’s drink was gone, and he was searching the menu for the next one. Jay wasn’t far behind, selecting the next cocktail on his own, then recusing himself from future picks upon the first taste. Apparently, Aaron knew what Jay would like better than Jay did.
Soft music piped in through hidden speakers, swirling in the air. Their corner was dark, lit only by the flickering candles at the center of the table. As they talked, Aaron angled his chair closer and closer until they sat side by side, their voices low. Distant sounds of clanking glasses and muffled conversations barely reached them, letting Jay pretend they were in a world of their own.
Chapter 16
