Mixed Up(41)

I wasn't going to attempt to move. Parker had come out here for more than just to tell me that he'd closed the kitchen. If that was it, he would have had Sienna call me or he'd have left by now.

I waved goodbye to my friends and stretched my legs out right in front of me. I'd changed again before calling the girls, so I brushed some sand off the frayed edges of my denim shorts before leaning back onto my hands.

Parker sat down next to me and set his shoes on the sand next to him. "Do you ever think we should stop this childish fighting and be nice to each other?"

"All the time," I answered honestly. "Then you open your mouth and I forget why."

He peered sideways at me, a lopsided grin on his face. "Now it makes sense. The same thing happens when you talk."

I couldn't help but meet his slim gaze and smile back. I even laughed a little. It was the truth. I'd told myself so many times that we needed to be civil to each other since we worked together, at least while we were in work, but it was impossible.

It was a reflex. The childish banter and quick witted bullshit was nothing more than a reflex. It had been our relationship for so long, that despite the fact we hadn't seen each other for three years, it was all too easy to slip back into the status quo we'd maintained prior to him leaving.

It was just...easy. And, if I was honest, I didn't even know if I did hate him anymore. I didn't like him, but I respected him. Nobody would ever believe me, but I did. He was a phenomenal chef, and I respected his ability to master his craft. I respected his dedication and his passion, and despite the fact he pissed me off daily, I also respected the fact that, deep down, he was a good man.

No matter what I thought normally, it was the truth. Parker Hamilton was a good man who said slightly inappropriate, libido-licking things every now and then.

A gasp escaped my lips, and my entire body froze.

"What?" he looked at me. "Did a crab finally flick your clit or something?"

I spun and grabbed his arm. My fingers dug right into the solid muscle, and my heart jumped when I met his eyes. "New cocktail. I have to go back."

I let go of him as quickly as I'd grabbed him and scrambled up. The loose sand had me slipping once, but Parker somehow managed to catch my elbow and keep me on my feet. I had no idea how he'd gotten up so quick, but I wasn't going to question it. I don't even think I said thanks as I grabbed my cup and ballerina flats and ran to the edge of the beach.

We made it back to the bar in record time, only stopping to put on our shoes. The cocktail was screaming at me inside my head, and the only thing that silenced the sudden creative hit was the fact the bar was empty.



       
         
       
        

Sienna looked up as we walked in. "Boat show in Key West. Apparently that's where everyone is."

I glanced around. "Oh. Do you wanna go home? If there's nobody here, I'll close early and take the rest of the night off."

It was a rare occurrence, and one I wanted to take advantage of with this recipe in my head.

"Um, sure. Do you want me to finish cleaning up?"

"Hmm?" I paused before stepping behind the bar. "Oh no, no, you're good." I barely finished speaking before I turned back to the bar and perused the bottles.

Fruity.

It would be fruity.

Tropical. Fresh. The kind of one you could drink four of and it not be too sweet.

Coconut rum.

I grabbed the bottle and put it on the bar behind me. There was an exchange of voices somewhere nearby, but it was a blur.

Banana liqueur.

The bright yellow bottle clinked against the coconut rum one as I set it down.

Pineapple juice.

It was so simple.

"No tequila?" Parker asked with a smirk.

I paused. Tequila was always worth it. Reaching for a shot measurer with one hand, I grabbed a mixer with the other. Parker removed the top of the mixer when I held it out to him and shook it. Measuring it out was the hardest part, so I shushed him when he started to say something.

Slowly, I went through the motions. Pour, taste, change. Pour, taste, change. I did it over and over until the balance felt almost right, and then I added a splash of orange juice.

One more sip, and it was perfect.

I pulled two highball glasses from the shelf and set them on the bar. Parker's gaze followed my every movement as I poured the cocktail into them both and slid one across the bar to him. "Try that."

He peered at me for a moment before picking up the glass. "What is it?"

"Just try it."

He did. Surprise raised his eyebrows as he looked from the glass to me. "That's really good."