“Have you ever tried any of the limited-release gins that Hendricks makes?” I asked my new friend/fellow runner/fellow gin drinker/kinswoman.
“Yes, I’ve tried all of them.”
“Do you have a favorite?”
“Neptunia. It’s really refreshing and has a crisp, citrusy finish. The woman distiller who makes it does such a great job of blending coastal botanicals with the gin.”
“It does sound really refreshing and now, I believe I’m gonna have to try some Neptunia.”
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its taste.”
I was already pleasantly surprised and it had nothing to do with gin.
“Do you have a favorite limited-release?” Stevie went on to ask me.
“The only one that I’ve tried is Midsummer Solstice and I liked it. A lot.”
“It’s a good one too. Really floral and smooth.”“It’s like summertime in a glass.”
“And that’s the perfect way to describe it,” Stevie said, pointing at me. “I feel like Neptunia is the ocean in a glass. It’s hard to find it, though.”
“Have you gone to Specs or to any of the other liquor stores around here?”
“Yes, but every place that I’ve been to didn’t have it in stock. Regular Hendricks like you and I are having this evening? Always. But no Neptunia.”
“Huh. Well, I’ll keep an eye out for it.”
“Thank you, but you don’t have to do that.”
“It’s no problem. If I happen to come across a couple of bottles, then I’ll grab one for you and one for me. I’m sure you and I are gonna see each other again since you’re hanging out with Ms. District Attorney here,” I said, glancing over at Brooke again. She was grinning from ear to ear, looking straight at me. “We all usually meet up at least once a week so we can decompress from the demands of our jobs and life in general.”
“Well, I appreciate it, Zac. If I happen to find a couple of bottles of Neptunia, then I’ll grab one for you. You’ve gotta try it.”
“I’m looking forward to doing that.”
“Okay, you two gin connoisseurs,” Brooke said, grabbing Stevie’s attention and mine. “Incoming trouble is almost to our table.”
I already knew whom she was talking about. It was Bash. Then I felt his hand on my shoulder.
“It’s about time,” I said, looking up at him.
He jerked his head back. “What? I’m early!”
“Hell, I can’t believe you actually showed up. Before you sit down though, I wanna introduce you to Brooke’s new teammate here. Stevie, this is Bash Campbell. Bash, this is Stevie Sinclair.”
He reached across the table to shake her hand. “Hi, Stevie. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too. Is ‘Bash’ short for Sebastian?”
“It is. Only my friends call me Bash and I expect you to do the same.”
“I’ll do that.”
Stevie and Bash smiled at each other. Then he sat down beside me and continued talking to the beautiful woman sitting across the table from me.
“Are you from Dallas?” he asked her.
“No, I’m from Austin. I worked at the D.A.’s office there.”