Blame It On The Whiskey (On the Rocks)

There’s a live band tonight, and I love nights like this. I couldn’t imagine getting up on stage and performing—I’d never want to—but I respect those that do. It’s like the music fills the room with electricity, and everyone can feel it.

I stride back to the bar, and Briony is mixing drinks. I stop next to her. “Sooooo...”

She finishes filling the two glasses and sets the bottles down. As she puts the drinks on a tray for another server, she looks at me. “What’s up?”

I nod my head toward the other side of the bar. “Steven asked me out...”

She scrunches her nose up. He’s obviously got a name for himself here. “What did you say?”

I roll my eyes. “I said no.”

She lets out a breath. “Good. You can do better.”

Parker instantly comes to mind, but I push that thought out of my mind. “But I mean, it’s weird, right? He’s seen me every day for months and has never asked me out before...”

She waits for me to continue and starts rolling her hand in front of me as if to say Spit it out.

“Well, I mean, why now?” I sigh loudly. “Does this outfit make me look like a slut or what?”

Her eyes widen, and she leans against the bar. “Are you serious right now?”

I try to see what she’s thinking, but I can’t even begin to analyze the way she’s looking at me with her face all scrunched up. “Yes. I’m serious.”

“You’re hot, Haven.”

Instantly, I start to shake my head. “No, I’m not.”

She puts her hand on my shoulder. “Yes, you are. I’ve worked with you every day, and I had no idea you looked like... that!” she says, pointing at me up and down.

When I don’t say anything, she studies me. “You really don’t know, do you?”

I shrug. I’m not sure if she thinks I’m fishing for compliments or what, but I’m not. “Look, my mom left when I was little. My dad… well, he’s never around, and I can’t talk to him about stuff anyway, and my best friend is a guy... so no, I really don’t know.”

She nods and moves a little closer to me. “Okay, here’s how it is... the short version. You’ve walked around here in your big clothes, hiding your body. You always keep your head down... usually in some book if you’re not working. Your clothes and your attitude say Don’t talk to me, I’m not interested. But this...” she says, pointing at me.

I cover my face with my hands. “I’m a slut.”

She laughs and peels my hands off my face. “You are definitely not a slut. You’ve smiled more tonight than you have in the last week. You are wearing clothes that flatter your body.” She looks around the bar and back at me. “Obviously, by the looks you’re getting now, it’s a body no one here knew you had. You look great. You’re more confident, you’re smiling more... You’re good.”

A server walks up to the bar. “Three drafts, please.”

I get three mugs and start filling them as Briony continues, “And you look great. There’s nothing slutty about your outfit.”

I blow out a breath. I set the drinks on a tray and turn back to Briony. “Okay, thanks.”

“No need to thank me. And remember if anyone gets too handsy, holler for Hayes,” she says, nodding toward the bouncer by the door.

I roll my eyes. As if that’s going to happen. “Uh, yeah, right.”

She laughs and hits me with her hip. “You’re a hottie, Haven. Have fun with it.”

This time I can’t help laughing. I turn to walk away, and there’s a smile plastered to my face. The music is loud, and I try to look around at the people sitting at the bar to see if anyone needs any refills when I hear my name.

I swear it’s Parker’s voice, but I shake my head and smile even more. Heck, I’m even hearing his voice now. I’m definitely missing him.

“Haven,” I hear again, and this time, I look in the direction I think it’s coming from.

It’s then I see him. I know my mouth falls open. Parker, my best friend, the love of my life is here. I swear he gets bigger every time I see him. His smile is wide as he opens his arms to me.

He wasn’t supposed to be here until next week. I set the tray I’m holding down and run for him.

Chapter 4

Parker

I was staring at my best friend’s ass. That’s what I’m thinking as I call Haven’s name. As soon as she sees me, her whole face lights up. I hold my arms open, and she runs for me.

I steady myself as she bolts into my arms. We both laugh, and like I’ve done a hundred times, I pick her up in my arms. Her legs go around my waist, and we hold on to each other. She’s hugging me, and the feel of her body against mine has me holding her tighter. She pulls back and looks at me. The excitement on her face reflects exactly what I’m feeling. Kiss her. That’s what goes through my head, and I barely hold back.