“Plus, you’re going to tell me all about the man that’s finally making you breakfast.” She quirks her right eyebrow high. This bitch already knows what I’m going to tell her. If I had to guess who told her, it was likely Michael. It’s always the quiet ones that gossip first.Fucker.
“Benny doll, maybe in another life. I can feel a good cougar coming to show youallthe ways.” He laughs.
I look around the menu again at the hot, spiked drinks. They really do have the best twists on favorites here. “We’ll take two Hot and Filthys.” The spiked raspberry hot chocolate comes in an oversized mug rimmed with dark chocolate and skewered dark chocolate-covered raspberries as garnish.
The menu at Brews & Books has a long roster of drinks with a romantic twist on the names, and a tweakor twerkthat manages to make them all delicious. Since it’s just next door to my tattoo shop, I’ve tried almost everything. The evening drinks are my favorite. A little spike done right. The Hot and Filthy is part of their Hot Toddy Stroll specialty menu. A yearly event that gives everyone permission to shop local while drunk. Also, one of the reasons I don’t stay open for it. Too many people overindulge in the hot toddys by the time the strolling part is underway. Every shop has their own version of a hot drink, some spiked, some not, but Brews & Books has the best options, obviously, since it’s their business.
“You read my mind,” Ev says, and then pulls out her wallet.
“Nope. On me,” Benny says. “Uncle Jack says you don’t pay when you come here. He covers whatever you order.”
She smiles. “Your mom here tonight? I want to say hi. I haven’t seen her since your uncle and I got back from our honeymoon.” She drops a twenty into the tip jar.
“Yeah, she’s around back with your brother, actually. They’ve been talking back there for a while now. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you interrupted.”
“Henry?” she asks, and he nods.
Great.
“Ev, let’s just start the stroll. There were a few pieces at Leo’s boutique I wanted to snag before the crowd gets heavier.” I leave out the part that I’m not ready to see Henry in public. Let alone him engaged in conversation, or whatever, with another woman.
I give Benny a wink before we head out.
The door chimes as we walk through it. “That kid is still ridiculously hot. I don’t care if that makes me a cougar or what.” I take a sip of my drink as we start our walk. Tart raspberry and sweet chocolate coat my tongue. The shot of vodka and splash of Kahlúa, give it that extra oomph. It’s a little bit of heaven and the first thing I think is,Henry would love this.
“You know, I think she has something going on with Jin,” Everly says after she sips her drink.
“Who?” I ask. Even though I already know.
“Kathryn. I think Jin and Kathryn are secretly seeing each other,” she says. “So whatever you’re starting to get salty about over there, just stop. She’s not into Henry. And I guarantee he’s not into her either. According to my dad, my brother is making some adjustments. Maybe he’s here about that.”
“What kind of adjustments?”
Everly shrugs her shoulders and says, “I don’t know exactly. You should probably talk to him.”
I stay silent. I wasn’t sure how this conversation was going to go tonight, but it seems like I’m not fooling anyone. And apparently there’s more going on that I don’t know anything about. Andthatpisses me off. The idea of not knowing what’s going on in Henry’s life or just being that last to know.
“What are you implying?” I blow on my drink and take another sip as I side-eye my best friend.
“Oh, fuck off, G. I’ve known something has been brewing between you and Henry for years.” She laughs and raises her voice. “Years! I didn’t think I’d have to hear about it from Michael when I was doing squats this morning, though.”
“That gossipy little bitch!” I start laughing. Of course it was him. Everyone tiptoes around him and his bullshit, but he’s the first one to spill the tea.Payback is a bitch, Michael.
The air is cold, but I’ve lived here long enough to know how to dress for a night out in this weather. Between the layers, my fierce furry boots and a pompom snow hat paired with the hot drink I’m sipping on, it’s going to get toasty the second we step inside one of these storefronts.
I pull open the door to Leo’s boutique. Greeted by one of my favorite people, he hugs both of us, and then brings us to the front case to show the accessories that just arrived in stock.
Everly tries on three bracelets before she can’t help herself any longer, and asks, “Are you going to tell me anything, or do I need to just assume you’re not going to hurt him, and it’ll all be fine?”
“What makes you think I’d be the one to hurt him?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact you’re highly allergic to commitment. That you don’t believe in monogamous relationships.” I give her a look. One that says, “don’t throw my own bullshit at me.”
“What?! You’ve told me since the first moment we met that any man or woman who wants to sleepover is blacklisted from your cooch!”
I did say that.I even remember where we were when I said it, but that’s beside the point.
“It’s complicated, so I’m trying not to overthink. Okay, I’m failing at that part. But yes, I’m doing the dirty with your brother.” I squint at her and wait for a reaction. Maybe she’ll read my body language, as if this isn’t as big of a deal as it actually is. Even though it’s a big fucking deal. I’m damn near in love with the man.