“I never turn down someone’s good will.” The man closed his notebook and finished off his existing pint.
“What is that?” Lottie pointed to the notebook.
“Drawings,” Otto said curtly.
She frowned. “Can I see your drawings?”
“No,” he said unequivocally.
“Why not?” Lottie narrowed her eyes. “Are you drawing porn?”
The man recoiled. “What do you take me for? A perv?”
Lottie looked him up and down. “Hmm,” was her proclamation.
Where was Chris? Right as he thought it, the man came out of the back room carrying a box of what looked like bottled beer. Jamie shot him a look of appeal,helpimplied.
Chris smirked, but he set the box down and came right over. “This is a surprise,” he said, wiping his hands on a towel.
“Christopher,” Lottie said, nodding to him.
Chris raised his brow. “Are we being formal today?”
“I’m here on a proper date, so I’m acting proper as well.”
Chris glanced at him.
Jamie shrugged. “She hasn’t been drinking, as far as I know, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“That’s my problem. I need to live more.” Lottie scowled, pointing at them. “I should be drinking champagne in the morning and whiskey at night.”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Chris said, crossing his arms. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing for longer than I’d care to admit.”
Chris turned to him.
Jamie smiled. “I’ll have my usual, and I’d like to get Otto a pint. The lady will have whatever she likes.”
“Good answer,” Lottie said, leaning her elbows on the bartop. She surveyed the liquors behind the bar. “I think I’d like tequila.”
Chris turned around and got out two glasses. He poured a very generous portion of MacNiven in one and then he half filled the other with wine.
Lottie frowned at it. “This isn’t tequila.”
“You’re welcome,” Chris said, leaving them to their own devices.
Otto thanked him and then took his notebook and ambled away too. Jamie tried to hide his amusement over the way Lottie harrumphed as the man scurried away.
Then she rounded on him, pointing at his drink. “How come you have that?”
“Because I always drink this.” He pushed it closer to her. “Want to try it?”
“Yes.” For all her tough talk, she lifted it cautiously to sniff it. Then she took a small sip, her eyes widening. She put a hand to her heart. “Goodness. This is something.”
He leaned on his elbows, smiling. “A good something?”
“Definitely good.” She took another sip, this time more intrepid. “It’s a little like fire and earth mixed together.”