Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology) Read Free Page A

since he was
driving home.
    “What?”
    Macon leaned forward, his face stopping only
a few inches from mine. “He took three sips.”
    “Really?” He rarely took two sips—and three?
It was a new record. I looked at Brody. He usually gave everything
away.
    He nodded.
    “Hmm, I guess he does like whiskey.”
    Yeah, I was pathetic.
     

Chapter Two
     
    I peeked out the window again. Colin struck
me as the kind of guy who was on time or early, but he was already
twenty minutes late. After asking me out a half-dozen times, I was
beyond surprised that he might have been standing me up. I may have
initially rejected him, but that didn’t mean I wanted him rejecting
me, and despite the nerves, I was looking forward to seeing him
without a bar between us.
    Some people would say accepting a date with
one guy while obsessing over another was a mistake, but I’d spent
the whole summer waiting for Lyle to show me even the smallest
amount of interest. It was time to give up. Instead, I focused on
Colin’s smile and his deep Southern drawl. His voice was warm and
sexy. I sighed, dropping the blind back into place.
    “Chill out, Maddy. He’s late. You didn’t even
want to go out with him.” Macon shared his never-ending support
while he made a sandwich in the kitchen. Our condo, which was
really Macon’s condo, was an open floor plan with three bedrooms.
His parents bought it as an investment property, so he was living
in it and charging Brody and me rent. My parents and Macon’s were
close, and that was probably the only reason they didn’t try to get
me committed when I told them I was going to live with two guys. I
liked my living situation. It was cheaper than if I got my own
place, and the best part was I could ride my bike (as in bicycle)
to work. I didn’t have a car, and I didn’t plan on getting one
anytime soon.
    I tossed my purse down on the end table and
sat on the couch. “He could have at least called and given me an
excuse.”
    “You prefer for a guy to lie to you?”
    “It’s better than sitting around waiting.” I
crossed my arms.
    “Either he shows up or he doesn’t. Moping
around isn’t going to help. Want a sandwich?”
    “Thanks, but no thanks.”
    A knock on the door stopped us from
continuing the conversation. I got up, but Macon beat me to the
door. “Hello. Can I help you?”
    “I’m here for Maddy.”
    “She was expecting you at noon.”
    I groaned. Macon could be such an ass
sometimes.
    I pushed Macon out of the way. “Hey.”
    “Maddy.” Colin looked distraught. “I’m so
sorry. I got caught up with work and my damn phone didn’t get
service out at the project I was checking up on.”
    “Oh, that’s okay. We can reschedule if you
want.”
    His face fell. “Why? Do you want to? Do you
have somewhere you need to be soon?”
    “No, but if you’re busy with work…”
    “Oh no. That’s fine now. I’ve been looking
forward to this all day.”
    “All right, then let’s go.” I turned around
again. Macon was back to his sandwich. “Bye.”
    He piled on something resembling ham. I’d
learned not to eat anything in the fridge I didn’t buy myself.
Brody was protective of his food, and Macon’s wasn’t safe. “Have
fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
    “Is there anything you wouldn’t do?”
    He grinned. “A few things.”
    I half-smiled. “See ya later.”
    Colin led the way down the two flights of
stairs. He stopped in front of a BMW convertible and opened the
passenger door for me. Either he had a lot of money, or he wanted
people to think so. I wasn’t sure which it was.
    I slipped in, tugging down my skirt to
protect my legs from the scorching leather seat. “Thanks.”
    “Of course. Thanks for agreeing to go out
with me.” He closed my door and went around to the driver’s
side.
    I smiled. There was no reason to remind him
of how many times I’d turned him down before. It’s not like I
wasn’t attracted to him from the beginning—it would