The bartender smiled as I approached. “What can I get you?”
“Tell me I don’t have to get tequila,” I begged, and he laughed.
“We’re supposed to only serve the tequila. We have a bunch of specialty drinks featuring it, but I can get you whatever you want. I have a full bar back here.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much. Can I just get a vodka cran, and do you happen to have a good bourbon?”
“Of course.” He smiled, his dimples on full display. “Any vodka preference?”
“Yes. Belvedere or Cîroc.”
“You got it,” he said before pouring and mixing my drink. “Any bourbon preference?”
“I actually don’t know a thing about it. But he likes Blanton’s, if that helps,” I said.
The bartender frowned for a moment. “We don’t have Blanton’s, but I have something comparable that he’ll like.”
“You’re the best. I’m going to tell Ron to keep you forever.”
He smiled again. “I’d appreciate that. It’s actually my first time working at one of his events.”
“I really will put in a good word for you.”
“Thank you.”
I paid for the drinks, left him a tip, and walked over to where Cal was still sitting, deep in conversation.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to interrupt; I just wanted to bring you this.” I offered the bourbon to Cal, who smiled and kissed my hand after taking the drink.
“Thanks so much, babe.”
“I’m going to go find Tami. Take your time. It’s nice to see you again, Tabbie,” I said as I smiled at her.
“You too, Jules. Thanks for letting us borrow him,” she said, batting her fake eyelashes.
“No problem.”
“Jules.” Ron reached for my wrist and pulled me toward him. “I have a couple people I want you to meet. They’re thinking about getting a summer home, and I suggested Malibu.”
“You’re the best. Thank you.” I kissed his cheek. “By the way, that bartender over there was a sweetheart. Don’t let him go.”
He glanced toward the bar. “I’ll make sure I talk to him before I leave for the night. I got your boy here. Go have fun.”
Knowing Cal would be tied up for a while, I headed back downstairs and toward the dance floor, where I assumed Tami still was. When I walked into the room, which had grown exponentially more crowded than when I’d just left it, I saw Tami right where I expected her to be—standing in the center of a group of guys, her arm around one of them. No doubt he was complimenting her on her exotic green eyes.
I walked over, and her face split into a big smile when she noticed me. I had to bite my tongue to keep myself from commenting on how red her face was from drinking.
“Jules! Guys, this is my best friend, Jules, and her—” She looked past my shoulder. “Where’s Cal? Oh my God, did you ditch him? Jules, I liked him. Where is he? Did you send him back to Boston?”
I grabbed her shoulders and squared her to face me. “He’s talking to Ron and Tabbie about work stuff.”
“Seriously? What kind of work stuff?”
“I don’t know, but Ron asked him if he worked in finance, and then said he needed to talk to him.”
“Interesting,” she said before sipping whatever she was drinking.
“I thought so too.” I swirled my drink around, making the ice clink against the glass.