“Yes, all of those things are true—” Before I can tack on a snarky remark, the front door of the restaurant swings open, grabbing my attention. I expect Shayna to traipse in, but it’s a pair of strangers instead. A pair of tall, drop-dead gorgeous strangers who stick out like a sore thumb. I peg them as tourists. No local wearsthoseclothes or looksthatput together in this place. The Corkscrew, or the Cork and Screw as it’s affectionately called because of the way the word is separated on the awning—by a squiggly line that looks like the ‘and’ symbol—is three steps above a dive. Most of the high season, or summer clientele, are fishermen, beachgoers in bathing suits, and a casual dinner crowd. Not many designer labels waltz in, especially now that’s it’s after Labor Day.
The two striking men look around the sparse room before their gaze lands on Janine and me. Her face lights up, inviting them to the bar. Janine used to work as a hostess here, so her hospitality instincts kick in.
“Please take a seat.” She ushers them right in front of me. Her big blue eyes glitter behind their backs, communicatingfresh meat.She’s terrible. Worse than an obsessive Mrs. Bennet trying to marry off all her daughters.
“What can I get you?” I drop a square cork coaster in front of each of them.
“What’s good?” the blond with wild wavy hair asks with genuine interest. His warm tan skin and straight white teeth are totally dreamy. Like a sexy-ass, roll me in the sand, surfer.
“The coconut mojitos are amazing,” Janine chimes in. A jubilant smile marring her round pretty face.Jesus, down girl.
“All right, a coconut mojito it is.” Blondie grins, and my girlie bits tingle. Maybe Janine isn’t the only one who needs to calm down.
“Same for you?” I address his friend. He’s a bit broader. His hair is jet black and his brown eyes are sharper. But he’s just as sexy. A dark desire in designer jeans.Damn.He scrunches his nose, scanning the bottles on the shelves behind me.
“No Crown?”
“Nope. Seagram’s Seven or Canadian Club.” I offer up two middle-of-the-road whiskey alternatives.
“Neither.” He curls his lip. “Jim Beam and Coke.”
Blondie shoots him a sidelong look.
“I don’t have much of a choice,” the dark-haired man defends his drink decision.
We don’t carry much top shelf liquor. That’s not the kind of clientele we cater to. It’s more a Corona, piña colada, and rum runner kind of place.
“Just promise me you’ll switch to gin and tonic after two,” Blondie pleads.
“Fine,” Mr. Dark and Stormy reluctantly agrees. That’s when I notice their subtle exchange. The way their arms brush against each other and the proximity of their barstools. They’re practically sitting on top of each other. I find myself astoundingly disappointed. They definitely didn’t give off the gay vibe when they walked in, but it’s apparent now. At least to me.Bummer.
I whip up the Jim Beam and Coke before I muddle the mint leaves, lime, and brown sugar, fill the highball glass with ice, and pour two parts white rum and one part coconut rum before topping the mix off with club soda. The mojito concoction is a signature drink at the Corkscrew. I must make a million over the summer. I drop their drinks in front of them as people start to slowly fill up the restaurant.
“Do you have a late dinner rush or something?” Blondie asks as he takes a sip of his drink. I pick up on his surprise. The mojito always packs a bigger flavor punch than people expect.
“Private party,” I divulge.
“On a Sunday night?” Dark and Stormy questions.
“Gotta fit it in when you can—”
“And you’re both more than welcome to stay,” Janine butts in. I immediately read her thoughts. She’s making a power move to play hookup master. Too bad it won’t work, because she clearly missed the rainbow flag waving. “I’m the bride and what I say goes. So I insist.” My voluptuous friend asserts her authority. The tiny bit that she has.
Blondie glances back at Dark and Stormy and smiles roguishly. They seem to communicate silently for a moment. It’s apparent these two are connected on more than just a platonic level.
“As long as I can stick with Jim, I’m in.” Dark and Stormy swirls his glass.
Blondie exhales, fluttering his pretty hazel eyes, yielding to his companion’s request. “Fine.”
A slow, victorious smile spreads across the dark-haired man’s face. He’s wearing a black dress shirt that complements his brooding persona, but that smile. Wow. It brings out the devil in him. I may need to start fanning myself soon. Why is the world so cruel? Two of the most tempting men I have ever met are sitting across from me, and I don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell with either of them.
Not even a shot at a meaningless one-night stand, which is all I’m looking for.Damn. Damn. Damn.
“It’s settled then. Jennifer, pour these men another drink!” Janine orders.
“You might regret this,” Blondie warns her as he takes a hefty gulp of his drink.
“I regret nothing,” she proclaims haughtily as she takes a suggestive sip of her champagne. Oh shit, she’s opening the floodgates already. She’s just gunning to tie one on. I guess I can’t blame her. It is her bachelorette party, after all. “I’m Janine Montgomery, soon to be Janine Witt, and this is my beautiful,singleBFF Jennifer Reeves.” She puts her hand out to Blondie first. I silently steam behind the bar. Did she have to emphasize the wordsingle?
