As the Dawn Breaks Read Free Page A

worse than I thought.
    “So…you leaving it up to me?” her sassy voice interrupts my wandering thoughts, which were quickly turning in the wrong direction.
    Blinking rapidly with a faint shake of my head, I force myself to redirect my focus. Laughing softly, I take her up on her offer. “Sure, I’ll let you pick my poison.”
    Based on her youthful appearance, I doubt she’s ever even tasted the potent spirit, much less knows the difference between a good and bad one. Smirking, as if she can read my thoughts, she grabs a rocks glass and places it on the wooden structure between us. She then lifts a bottle of King’s Crest 25-year and fills the crystal a little more than halfway with the amber-colored liquid. Nudging the drink towards me, she tilts her head and her eyes silently search my face for approval.
    Eager to continue the little game we’ve started, I bring the glass to my nose and inhale the spicy, oak-laced aromas released by the blended whiskey, my eyes never leaving hers. In one mouthful, I swallow the entire thing and slam the snifter down on the wood, allowing the burn to soothe as it slides down my throat and chest. Without even asking, she raises the bottle and pours another. I repeat the motion, this time nodding my head in appreciation as I set the glass back down.
    “Nice choice,” I commend her, flashing a grin.
    “You look too young to be the father of the bride.”
    Her comment catches me off-guard; I haven’t thought about people thinking I was actually Katrina’s dad. Chuckling softly, I reply feistily, “You look too young to be a bartender.”
    “Touché, sir. I apologize if I offended.” Her eyes travel south, looking down to the ground, and a flicker of insecurity flashes across her face.
    I’m not sure why my gut tightens at her timid response, but it does, and immediately, I feel awful for making her feel uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that; I was just teasing you.”
    She brings her eyes to meet mine through the thick lashes framing her arresting emerald-colored eyes, the impish smile returning to her mouth, and again, I want to cover her lips with mine. I need another drink. To keep myself from leaning across the twelve inches of wood separating us and following through with the lustful thoughts that keep toying with me, I keep talking. “My name is Leo, by the way, and I am not the father of the bride. She and I are old friends.”
    Extending her hand, a genuine smile now spreads across her face. “Nice to meet you, Leo. I’m Trystan, and I am the bartender—one of legal age, at that.”
    I take her small hand in mine and I want to kiss the top of it, but afraid of the douche-level of the move, I refrain. “Believe me, the pleasure is all mine.” By this point, the reception behind me has become an afterthought. All I want to do is stand here and talk to this girl, who for some reason has captivated me just with the way she twists her lips and the witty comments that pour out of them.
    Unfortunately, about the time I make this realization and plan to get comfortable for the remainder of the night, Lucca strides over to me. “C’mon, Leo, I was wondering where you disappeared to,” he says cheerfully, slinging his arm around my shoulder. “It’s almost time to cut the cake and do the bouquet and garter toss. We need you.” He steers me away from the bar, back towards the festivities, but I can’t help looking over my shoulder as we walk away and winking at my new friend. She rolls her eyes playfully and shakes her head, but then, right before I turn back around, she brings her hand to her mouth and blows me a kiss. I lift my arm in the air, pretend to catch it, and then tuck it in my shirt pocket. Maybe I don’t need another drink.
    Over the next hour, I’m consumed by wedding activities, one right after the other, and as happy as I am for the newlyweds, I find it impossible to keep from leering over at Trystan. The rational part of my