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“Good. I like people like you.” He looks me up and down, his gaze landing on my boobs.

Damn. I’d really like to⁠—

I shake the thought from my head. I’m not here to see him. He’s just giving me the tour. It’ll be nice, give me something to talk about with Bobby when he arrives. I check my watch again. I got here crazy early. Bobby should be here in ten minutes or so. Plenty of time to hang on Aus’s muscled arms a bit longer.

Aus clears his throat. “To the right is the North, manned by the aptly named Nora Gilles.” He looks toward the barkeep of the purple bar, a statuesque woman with long silver hair. “Nora is our longest-serving employee. She’s worked here longer than I have, even before the…uh…previous owner took over. She’s full of great stories, not to mention some great brews.”

“Brews?”

“Yeah. The North is where we serve beer. Lagers, IPAs, sauers, even some hard ciders. Also all brewed in house.” He bounces his eyebrows. “I recommend The Wonderful Whiz myself.”

“Do you?” I glance toward the jade block. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with your DJ name, would it?”

He shrugs playfully. “I cannot confirm nor deny the accuracy of this allegation.” He walks up to Nora, gives her a nod. “Evening, Nora.”

She offers him a warm smile, the kind a mother gives an adult child. “Good evening, Aus. Cutting it a bit close tonight, are we? Your set starts in two minutes.”

“Had to delay it. I got in late, and then I bumped into this lovely young lady. It’s her first time, so I wanted to show her around.”

Nora chuckles lightly. “Something about Aus and beautiful women. He seems to think time bends around them.” She extends her hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Nora.”

I shake it. “Thea. Thea Storm. And you’re very kind to call me beautiful.”

Nora narrows her eyes. “Honey, I’m just stating fact. I’m guessing Aus here would like to buy you a beer?”

“Actually, she’s here to meet someone else,” Aus says flatly.

Do I detect a hint of bitterness? I certainly feel the same way.

At least until Bobby Q. comes in and sweeps me off my feet.

Nora frowns. “Oh, my apologies, Miss Storm. I shouldn’t have assumed⁠—”

“There’s nothing to assume,” Aus interjects. “I’m just showing her around, like I said.” He turns toward me. “Though I’d be happy to buy you a beer if you’d like one.”

I shake my head. “That’s very kind, but you’ve already paid my cover. And it wouldn’t be respectful to my date to let another man buy me a drink.”

He nods. “Right. On to the South then.” He escorts me to the section facing us—odd that he would skip West, but I don’t say anything—to a scarlet counter headed by the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Slender and taller than I am, with strawberry-blond hair and an elegant ruby gown with matching gloves.

Her cherry lips part as Aus and I approach. “Well, Aus Waverly, as I live and breathe!” She has a sleek Southern accent, the kind you’d expect from a debutante as she descends the grand staircase of her daddy’s mansion in rural Savannah. When she sees me, she widens her eyes. “And who is this lump of sugar?”

“Thea Storm, may I present Gloriana Goode, barkeep of the South.” Aus gestures.

Gloriana shakes my hand enthusiastically. She’s wearing a beautiful bracelet lined with what look like rubies. “If you aren’t just the prettiest thing I ever did see, Miss Storm!”

“Thea, please,” I say. “And that means a lot coming from a woman as beautiful as you.”

She looks down at her perfect boobs. “Who, little ol’ me? Hardly.” She leans in. “But thank you kindly.” She looks back at the elegant bottles behind her. “Might I interest one of y’all in a glass of our finest Jade Sanctum label wines?”

“Wine in the South?” I ask Aus.

“Yep. All fermented and bottled⁠—”

“In house?” I finish for him.

He exhales sharply. “How’d you guess?”

“Call it a hunch.” I turn back to Gloriana. “It’s very kind of you to offer, but I’m waiting on a date tonight, so I should hold that drink until he arrives.”