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What the hell had I been thinking?
I took my anger and shame out on the shaker as I swung it back and forth to mix the apple juice, schnapps, and vodka for the girls.
“Who the hell pissed you off?” Jill asked, dropping her elbows on the counter and fisting her hands under her chin.
“I’m fine.”
“Girl, shake that thing any harder, and you’re going to give yourself whiplash.”
She wasn’t wrong.
I grabbed a strainer, popped the lid, and poured three Appletinis, adding a slice of apple to each one.
“Duty calls,” I said to Jill, and she flashed me a knowing look.
“Which one has you all hot and bothered?”
“Excuse me?”
“Which guy?”
“None of them.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Jill, I don’t—”
“Dixie,” Chad bellowed again, and I tipped my head back, closing my eyes and praying to the heavens that they would leave soon.
“Uh-oh,” Jill muttered, and it was my turn to stare at her.
“Don’t, okay? Just. Don’t.”
She held up her hands, amusement dancing in her eyes as I loaded a tray and headed back down the bar to my friends. “Three Appletinis.”
“Yum. These look good,” Ella said, helping herself. “Are you sure you can’t come out with us? We’ve talked the guys into taking us dancing at Zest.”
“No can do. I’m on until close.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“You could come after?” Rory added, but I said, “It’ll be too late, and honestly, the only thing I want to do after this killer shift is soak my feet in an ice bath and crawl into bed.”
“Another time, then.”
“Sure.” I smiled. “Do you need anything else?”
Connor slung his arm around Ella. “We got good beer, good company, and good bar snacks.” He motioned to the little dishes of chips and nuts. “What more could we need?”
“Okay then.” I gave him a tight smile. “I should probably get back to my tables. But Kalvin will take good care of you.”
I didn’t wait around to hear their protests, slipping out from behind the bar and making a beeline for the restrooms.
I didn’t see the person coming out of the men’s door.
Didn’t seehimuntil it was too late.
