Page 11 of From the Embers

I laugh. He has a point there, it’s not the tastiest drink in the world. I’m more a red wine kind of girl with a bowl of pasta, but tonight I need a little something to take the edge off. I’ve been at the bar most nights, and unpacking the rest of my stuff when I can. Trying to make my apartment as cozy and as comfortable as possible has become like therapy for me. It isn’t hard, the place is cute and quaint, but every move makes you reorganize and eliminate things you don’t really need or use anymore. When I packed up my place back in Massachusetts I left a whole pile of things behind or donated it to Goodwill. Anything that reminded me of Cam, basically, and things I just didn’t need or want anymore.

“I like things the old fashioned way,” Brax says. “Pass the salt, sweetheart.”

I pass it over and watch him sprinkle some on to the back of his hand. Eric waves it off, and Denver’s eyes meet mine as he cocks his head and says, “I’ll do it if you do, Adi.”

My gaze shifts to his and I shrug. “Done.” What the heck. My boss can’t fire me after today’s shift. Lorna kept telling me how grateful she was that I could come in at a moment’s notice, so it’s pretty safe to say I’m good to go. It’s also the first time since I’ve worked here that I’ve actually said yes to anyone buying me a drink, and maybe I should wait until my shift is over, but it might actually just get me through to the end of it.

We all take a glass and clink them together. Denver is watching me intently and the flickering lights from the dance floor make his eyes twinkle that bit more.

Fuck me, he’s handsome, and I didn’t discount the number of looks he got when he entered the bar. I think every woman in this damn place was sizing him up.

I tip some of the salt onto the back of my hand. Then Denver’s knuckles brush mine, asking for some, too, without words. I do so, swallowing as I feel his gaze on me. My lips part he licks the salt from his hand without taking his eyes off mine, then downs his shot.

My heart kicks in my chest, a little too healthily. Heat pools between my thighs at the smirk he gives me. He’s just too goddamn pretty for his own good.

I lick the salt off my hand and raise the shot glass to my lips. Knocking the golden liquid back in one fell swoop. The bite of it hits the back of my throat like a grenade. My mouth tries to find air as I gasp into the back of my hand. I wince, realizing I really do not like the taste of tequila. At the same time Denver and I reach for the same lime wedge sitting in the bowl between us and I can’t help but laugh, even though I need to rid my mouth of the rancid taste.

“Ladies first.” He takes his hand away while I snag a piece and jam the thing in my mouth like my life depends on it.

“Thank you,” I stutter ungraciously.

His eyes crinkle a little as the astringent taste of the lime takes hold. I watch him as he takes a piece and sucks the life out of its flesh. Holy smacking moly. It seems almost intimate watching him and those beautiful lips, especially with his two friends either side of him, but he doesn’t seem to care.

Brax is already chatting up the woman next to him, and Eric is trying his best to glug down the rest of Denver’s beer to wash away the taste.

“You guys are a real hoot,” I say. “Anyone up for another?”

“Count me out.” Eric screws his nose up.

“I’m in, that’s top shelf.” Brax glances from me to Denver.

“I’ll pass. I need food,” Denver complains, and I couldn’t agree more. I haven’t had a decent break tonight because we’ve been so busy, so drinking on an empty stomach really isn’t the best idea in the world.

“And I better try and keep my job.” I shrug, knowing Lorna won’t care, but I can’t have fun with these guys all night either.

Denver hands me his card to pay for the drinks but I shake my head.

“That round is on me.” Tips have been good, and I do feel a little more awake now.

“No way,” Denver protests, looking horrified.

“Yes, way, don’t argue.”

“At least let me buy you a drink when you finish,” he says. “And another round of beers for us guys.”

“Beer it is.” Brax quickly makes peace with it. I don’t know him very well, but I’m fairly certain he’s just happy to be hanging with his friends, so he doesn’t really care what the poison is.

I reach into my back pocket to pay for the round of shots but Denver won’t hear of it.

“Your money is no good here,” he says.

“Even with my staff discount?” I throw back with a hand on my hip.

“Yep.”

“Wait—staff discount?” Eric finally cottons on. “Listen to the woman, Den.”

Denver shakes his head and gives his friend a withering look. “Women aren’t supposed to pay for the drinks, like ever, bud.”