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I wince. “I may have just spent some of my wages before I’ve even made it.”
He raises an eyebrow. “How so?”
Grady appears from behind him. “Drink order?” he asks me.
I nod. “Two sidecars please.”
With a speed I doubt I’ll ever get used to, he has two frosted glasses with sugar rims set in front of him and is free pouring cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice into a metal shaker.
Aden touches my shoulder. “Lily?”
I chew my bottom lip. “I kind of promised them free drinks.”
Aden stares at me without comment.
“The guy was saying that nowhere ever makes sidecars right, so he didn’t even want to order it, but I’ve seen Grady, and so I told them that—"
“If it wasn’t the best they’d had, they’d drink for free?” Aden continues.
I wait for the inevitable explosion, but when it doesn’t come, I relax. “You’re not mad?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. But I’d like to put a bet of my own on.”
“What bet is that?”
“That not only will they love their drinks, and that you made them that offer, but they’ll pay for the drinks,andgive you a nice big tip at the end of it.”
I snort. “Doubt that. Not—”
“Two sidecars up,” Grady interrupts.
After giving Aden a doubtful look, I grab the tray with the vibrant orange and fruity-smelling drinks, relieved the two glasses don’t make my wrist ache, and head for my table.
I’ve barely put down the glasses when the guy has his in hand and is taking a long draw through his short straw.
I glance at the girl who’s watching him as well.
Who would’ve thought watching someone drink a cocktail would be so nerve-wracking? Not me.
He returns his glass to the table before leaning around me to peer at the bar. “Does he work most nights?”
I blink at him in confusion. “What?”
His focus returns to me, but I can’t read from his expression if he hates the drink or loves it. “The bartender who just made the best fucking sidecar I’ve ever had in my life. Does he work most nights?”
I glance over at the bar and beckon Aden over. He comes at once.
“Lily?” he asks, as he inserts his body between the guy and me in a move so smooth that I doubt the guy noticed it. But I do.
“This guy wants to know if Grady works a lot?” I smile. “I have a feeling he’s going to be a regular if he keeps making cocktails like that.”
The guy’s grin comes out of nowhere, making me blink in surprise to see it. I hadn’t thought he even knew how to.
He flashes straight white teeth at me. “What she said.”
“He does,” Aden says with an answering smile. “Work most nights and make the best cocktails around.”
Moments later, I wander back to the bar in a strange daze with Aden on my right, and a ten-dollar tip on top of the money for the cocktails in my hand, leaving the couple to enjoy their drinks.
