Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Tabs!” Angie bounces through the French doors. “What’s taking you so long? Sage says the burgers are ready.”
I swallow, my cheeks burning, as Henry snatches his hand away.
The abrupt intrusion shatters the moment. Henry goes rigid, and I try to hide my disappointment.
I force a smile, though it feels more like a grimace. “I was just… I’ll be out in a sec.”
“You too.” Angie grabs Henry and drags him outside, Zach following at his heels.
I breathe in.
Henry.
We almost…
I bring myself back to reality and join the others outside where I inhale the savory scent of the burgers.
On the table, which is covered in a red checkered cloth, is a pitcher of something light green. Margaritas maybe? When did Sage or Angie have a chance to make those?
Sage puts the burgers on a platter and brings them to the table. “Steel beef with Ava’s brioche buns. A little tomato, lettuce, onion, ketchup, and mustard, and we’re set.”
Then she ambles over to the outside bar and returns with four highball glasses and four shot glasses on a tray. “Limeade and tequila shots?” She beams.
She returns to the bar and brings over a bottle of reposado.
“So that’s limeade,” I say. “I was wondering when you had the chance to make a pitcher of margaritas.”
“Margaritas are way too sweet,” Angie says. “Except for our cousin Donny. It’s his favorite drink.”
The comment edges a smile onto Henry’s face.
“Good old Don,” he says. “But I’ll pass on tequila shots. In fact, I’ll pass on dinner, but thanks.”
Angie looks at him then, her pretty dark eyes pleading with her brother. “Come on, Henry. Please? Tabitha’s here. Sage and I made dinner—”
That gets a chuckle out of Henry. “That is an event in itself,” he says dryly. “Where’s Anya?”
“It’s her day off.” Sage sets out four plates and napkins. Then she pours four glasses of limeade. “Anya makes it very tart,” she says. “That’s how most of us in the family like it.”
“Sounds amazing,” I say. “And refreshing.”
“Shot?” Sage glances at me, her eyebrows raised.
“Sure, why not?” A rush of blood warms my cheeks. “I’ve actually never done a tequila shot. But I do like a margarita, so I guess I’ll like tequila by itself.”
Sage pours me a shot and hands it to me along with a glass of limeade. Then she pours shots for Angie and herself.
“Henry? Bourbon? Dad’s got some Peach Street in the bar.”
Henry sighs. “Sure, why the fuck not?”
Sage disappears behind the bar again and returns with a bottle of bourbon. “The guys in our family love the stuff,” she says. “Personally, I’ve never had a big taste for it, but Angie likes it every now and then, don’t you?”
Angie nods. “It’s really smooth. Kind of smoky and caramelly. But tonight I think I’m in for the shots.”
Sage pours Henry a finger of the bourbon in a lowball glass.
He takes it and shoots it in one gulp.
Sage raises her eyebrows. “Guess I could have poured you a shot.”
Henry simply sets the glass down. “One more, and this time I’ll sip it.”
I’m not a bourbon lover myself, but I can’t stop thinking about what Henry’s tongue might taste like in my mouth after he drank the liquor so quickly.
I bet he tastes like that caramel, that smokiness. Probably a little bit of spice too.
My thoughts are interrupted by Sage, who holds up her shot glass. “Bottoms up, ladies,” she says and shoots the tequila before taking a long drink of her limeade. She exhales. “Damn, that’s good.”
Angie holds up her shot glass, gesturing to me. I do the same, clinking my glass against hers. And then I shoot the tequila.
Wow.
It’s actually delicious, and I—
“Now the limeade,” Sage says.
I stop my thoughts and take a couple of drinks of limeade.
It is really tart. But quite refreshing, and perfect after the tequila.
“What do you think?” Sage asks.
“I wouldn’t say no to another,” I say.
“Now that’s what I like to hear.” Sage pours me another shot of tequila, along with one for herself and for Angie.
But I don’t drink it right away.
Angie and Sage both shoot theirs and drink more limeade.
“What are you waiting for?” Sage asks.
“I want to think about it for a little bit,” I say. “Tequila… I might sip the shot.”
“Sip?” Sage says as if I’ve just grown a second head.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had tequila by itself, and I really like the flavor. It was…kind of smoky. Not sweet but something like sweet.”
“That’s the agave,” Henry says. “You’re probably tasting a little bit of vanilla too. Maybe a little honey. Which is also from the agave.”
I regard him, my head tilted. “You know about tequila?”
“Yeah.” He offers a small smile. “I know about most liquor. Doesn’t mean I like to drink all of it. But good tequila, especially reposado or añejo, is delicious.”