“I know, but I just thought you would’ve grown into a more sophisticated drink.”
“Do I look like the sort of girl that wants to grow into a more sophisticated drink?” she says, giggling.
“No, I guess not.” I look around the bar. “It’s busy tonight. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen it this busy.”
“It’s summer,” Mia says by way of explanation. “It’s always busy in Coconut Beach in the summer.”
“I guess I just forgot,” I say, still thinking that it’s even busier than I ever remembered.
“Yeah, I guess because you haven’t been back home in ages.”
“Touché.” I frown slightly at her tone.
She still has a smile on her face, but there’s something in her voice that makes me think she’s not joking one hundred percent. Is she upset that I haven’t been back to town recently? We still speak on the phone all the time, and yet she keeps bringing up my absence.
“So, Luke, tell me how the big city is treating you,” Cal says as he hands me the beer. “You know, my mom was reading the paper the other day, and she saw your name mentioned in some article.”
“She saw me?” I ask in surprise, not that I’ve been in the paper. I am always in the paper for brokering deals, but more so that his mom saw one of the articles.
“She read an article about you and I guess the company you work for.” He shrugs. “Can’t remember the details.”
“Oh, it’s no big deal.”
“Aren’t you one of the players in one of the biggest mergers that has occurred in the last twenty years?”
“I wouldn’t say that I’m personally in it, but I am brokering the deal for the hedge fund I work with.” I shouldn’t really say too much. “It’s outside my normal scope of work, which generally consists of investing billionaires’ funds in the international and domestic markets.”
“What is it exactly that you do?” he says as he hands me her fruity, bright red drink.
She takes it eagerly, and I watch as she takes a gulp and gets frosted ice all over her top lip. I’d love to lick it off.
“Well, I’m just a numbers guy.” I look away from her lips and back to Cal. “I make sure the numbers make sense while also working with legal to ensure any kickbacks or deals are in within the realms of the law.”
“Sounds complicated.” Mia offers me a sweet little smile beforetaking another sip. “I get it though, your job has to be important because you’re always working.”
“I’m not always working.”
“Let’s be for real here, every time I talk to you, you’re usually at work.”
“Sometimes, I’m at home.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Sometimes, you’re at home, having just got off of work. And we’ll chat for a bit before you have to get back to work.”
“Are you upset that I have a job?” I question her.
Her tone is light, but the comments seem pointed.
“Why would I be upset that you have a job?” She shrugs.
“I don’t know. I just?—”
“Hey, I’m not causing trouble in paradise, am I?” Cal holds up his hand and bows his head. “It’s the evening, and it’s a nice night. Enjoy the ambiance.”
“Thanks, Cal. Do you know if Silvie’s coming tonight?” I ask him, curious what was going on there.
Mia gives me a look like I just got her in trouble, and I just chug some of my beer in response.
“I think she is. I know Birdy wanted to talk to her about something, so I’m not one hundred percent sure she’s going to make it. I can call her and ask her if you want.”
