“Would you like a drink or anything while you wait?”
I opened my mouth. “No, I’m?—”
“I’dlovea drink, thank you,” came a voice that wasn’t mine. Deeper. Confident. Familiar.
I blinked.
Across from me, a tall form slid into the chair. It definitely was not Gina’s petite frame. But there was something familiar in the tight curls, the smirk.
Josh.
Gina’s older brother—the walking contradiction of charming grifter and accidental philosopher we thought he’d become over the past few years. He had Gina’s hair, but none of her restraint when it was called for.
The server, unfazed, whipped a small, laminated menu out of his apron like he was used to odd entrances.
Josh’s grin widened like he’d just been handed a prize. “Ah, thanks. Do you guys have any of those ridiculous holiday drinks happening yet?”
The server didn’t blink. Just handed him another slimmer menu with a practiced nod.
Josh scanned the list with exaggerated focus. “Let’s see … we’ve got a Jingle Bell Martini, a Snowy White Russian …” He looked up at me and raised an eyebrow. “Have you ever tried a Cinnamon Sleigh Ride?”
“I don’t think I’m the target audience.”
“That’s exactly why it’s brilliant.”
I stared at him, still trying to figure out what exactly was happening here even though it was clear. Gina had put him up to this, hadn’t she?
“I’ll have the Red-Hot Santa-tini. Or is itSantini?”
“Either works.” The server suppressed a smile before he turned to me, pen still poised. “Would you like anything?”
“Oh, I, uh …”
“Go on. Get something,” encouraged Josh with a sharp nod, pivoting the holiday menu toward me.
God, they really were absurd holiday drinks.
“I’ll have the Pomegranate Spritz,” I ordered. It sounded like the most normal option, listed in swirling font.
“I’ll be right back with those.”
He smiled casually, like showing up in his sister’s place on my first blind-date practice run was a totally normal thing. “Hey.”
“Hi,” I replied.
Without missing a beat, Josh shrugged off his coat and settled into the seat across from me like he did this sort of thing all the time.
“What are you doing?” I asked, blinking at him.
“Taking off my jacket,” he said, glancing down as if to double-check that, yes, that was indeed the action he’d just performed.
“No, I mean, what are you doing here?” I clarified, trying not to sound like I was panicking.
“Gina got caught up.”
My phone buzzed before I could ask what that even meant. I grabbed it like it might hold the answers to the universe.
Sending my bro to meet you. I’m so, SO SORRY. Big work things are happening! I can’t wait to tell you about everything. Don’t be mad.
