“Well, you’re groping my ass, so I’d say that’s debatable.” She walked backward a few steps, narrowing her eyes. “I’d say this is a safe distance. I’m not in the receiving area of those pheromones rolling off you.”
I burst out laughing. “What?”
Tess tapped her cheek as if considering something. “Actually, you know what? We’ll be even safer if you go behind the bar. I do want a drink anyway. This bar is so damn sexy.”
Laughing, I stepped behind it. “What do you want?”
“No clue. I’m a wine person, but this bar screams cocktail.”
“I’ll mix you one. What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
“Will do.”
She sat in one of the chairs, inspecting the rows of drinks.
“I thought you wanted to check on your friend.”
“Yes, but she already texted me that she’ll be here in twenty minutes. Does Ellen expect us back?”
“Actually, it’s best if we stay here. She likes to focus on her game. My grandfather loved this bar.”
I started preparing a Tequila Sunrise, mixing Don Julio with orange and pomegranate juice.
“You miss him,” Tess stated.
“Yes. In many ways, they were more like my parents. I grew up with them. I lived here.”
“So your parents have always been traveling?”
I nodded, sliding her the drink.
“Yes. The only way to keep at the top of their game was to always take photos of the next big thing, then sell it to magazines. Now, their blog rakes in enough income that they don’t even need the magazines anymore, but back then, things were different. They came home a few times a year and tried to be here
at Christmas, but it didn’t always work out.” I looked at the drink I just gave her. “Let me know if you don’t like it and I’ll mix you something else.”
The Christmases they missed were the only times I felt really lonely. Opening the gifts they sent only drove home that they weren’t with me.
I always thought that if I had kids, I’d do things differently. I’d be there for them, teach them handiwork and help them fill out college applications. I’d do all those things my grandparents taught me.
“That must have felt a bit lonely.” Tess was looking at me with soft eyes.
Right, time to change the subject. The last thing I wanted was her pity.
“You haven’t tasted your drink.”
“Oh, right.” She wrapped those plump, perfect lips around the straw. The sight sent a jolt right below my belt. She sipped half her drink at once.
“Babe, there’s tequila in there. You might want to slow down.”
Her eyes widened. “Oops. I couldn’t tell. I just tasted the orange juice.”
“You didn’t see me pour Don Julio?” I teased.
“No, I was too busy admiring the bartender’s sexy arms and hands.”
“You like this bartender, huh?”