“What are they?” I asked.
“This one here is a southern shot. A hint of lemonade, a hint of sweet tea, and a hint of sweet tea vodka.”
“That sounds good. Let me try that.”
I plucked it off the tray and tossed it back before setting the glass back down.
“Oh wow. That was really good,” I said, giggling.
“Would you care for another to carry around with you?” the man asked.
“What’s the pink one?”
“Ah, yes. That one is called Bubble and Gum. It’s marshmallow vodka, pink grapefruit liqueur, and rum with a splash of cranberry juice and grenadine.”
“I’ll take that one with me. Thank you so much,” I said.
With my drink in my hand, I started up the steps. I dodged people already making out against the banister and watched as people stumbled into rooms, ripping each other’s clothes off. I walked all the way around the second floor before coming to a smaller staircase, and I decided to become a little adventurous. It didn’t look as if anyone had ventured up them, so I hung onto the railing and began my ascent to the third floor.
At least, I thought it was the third floor.
Once I got to the top of the small steps, there was a door. I reached for it and opened it, and when they musty smell of the room hit me I almost turned around and left. Until I took in what was really there.
A plush couch sat in the middle of the room and a fireplace sat in front of it. There was a massive window that overlooked what seemed to be the backyard and the walls were lined with books. From floor to ceiling, wrapping all the way around the room, were books with dusty spines and old covers and yellowing pages.
I walked into the room and gawked in awe as I made my way over to the couch.
It wasn’t the third floor, but a private, hidden little room. I walked over to the window and took in the expansive view of the backyard. There was a sprawling garden. One that grew copious amounts of food as well as one that was tailored for walking through. A hedge maze, of sorts. I sipped my drink and rolled my eyes at its taste. It was the perfect drink, and I made a mental note to try and recall the ingredients later so I could try to make it.
I drew in a deep breath of the books around me. Their words and their worlds filled my nostrils and spread a warmth throughout my body. Some days, I wondered if I could take over the town library. Surround myself in books all day and make about as much of a living working there as I did at the tavern. I took another sip of my drink as I walked around, my eyes scanning the book on the shelves.
But before I could find one to reach out for, I ran smack dab into the wall.
At least, I thought it was the wall.
My drink went splattering to the floor and I bent to pick it up. But when I saw a pair of feet in my vision, I panicked.
Holy shit, I’d run into someone.
“Oh my gosh. I am so sorry,” I said.
The chuckle that fell from his lips both startled me and sent shivers running down my spine.
“I know I shouldn’t be up here. I just found the staircase and I—”
“What is your name?”
That voice. I recognized that voice. My eyes panned up the body in front of me as I slowly rose to my feet, and when my back straightened out my eyes continued to their journey. Up a torso I recognized and up a neck I had committed to memory. And once my eyes took in that strong jawline and those darkened gray eyes, my heart stopped in my chest.
I held his gaze for far too long before I found my voice.
“Jessica,” I said.
“It’s nice to finally meet you properly, Miss Jessica. I’m Lucas.”
“Lucas,” I said. I enjoyed how his name rolled off my tongue.
“And don’t worry about intruding on this room. It’s my favorite room of the house.”