Page 72 of From the Start

Igroan as I lift the keg into place. My muscles are aching, and the day is yet to begin. And it’s going to be a doozy of a day.

Today is the first day of theMoonshine & Merriment Festival.It’s basically an end of the summer party, which culminates with a dance to crown the winner of the sexiest man on the island competition.

I have no interest in the dance, butRumrunnerhas a booth set up downtown for the festival today and tomorrow. It’s a great way to earn extra cash since the festival is always packed with tourists.

And those tourists love my Mermaid Moonshine. I basically add blue food coloring and some sprinkles to Smuggler’s Hideaway Moonshine and voilà– Mermaid Moonshine, the tourists can’t get enough of.

Sloane runs toward the booth. “Sorry, I’m late. Boozer was throwing up all over the place this morning. I didn’t want to leave him alone.”

Damnit. I need Sloane today, but if her dog is sick, she can’t leave him alone. “Where is he now?”

“With Pam. She’s the best doggy sitter in the world.”

Phew. Working the festival with two people is hard enough. With one? Practically impossible since people will riot if they can’t get their drink on.

“Good. The keg is hooked up. But we need to prep the moonshine, get the…”

She holds up her hand. “This isn’t my first rodeo.”

We get to work. By the time nine a.m. rolls around – when we are officially allowed to serve alcohol – I’m sweaty and my back is protesting. I can’t wait for Monday morning. Only forty-eight hours to go.

“Incoming smugglers,” Sloane murmurs and I pop up from behind the bar to scan the area.

Kai and Zane are making their way through the crowds toward us. They aren’t too hard to spot since it isn’t too busy yet. Most visitors are still sleeping off their hangovers from Friday night.

“Hey, Slugger,” Kai greets. When he reaches me, he tries to pull me into his arms but I step away from him.

“I’m dirty and sweaty.”

Zane chuckles. “Dirty and sweaty are my favorite things.”

“You would say that,” Sloane mutters.

“Are you saying you don’t enjoy dirty and sweaty?” He waggles his eyebrows.

Sloane rolls her eyes. “I prefer to get dirty and sweaty with someone who hasn’t slept with every mermaid on the island.”

Zane puffs out his chest. “Not every mermaid.”

“Do you even bother to learn their names?”

I give Zane and Sloane my back. I’m not interested in their bickering. Not when Kai is standing in front of me.

“You’re up early for a Saturday morning.”

“I can hardly spend the day working the festival if I’m lazing around in bed.”

“Working the festival? I didn’t realizeBuccaneer’s Whiskeyhas a booth.”

“We don’t.” He bops my nose. “But you do.”

“You want to work in my booth?”

“Yep.”

“Are you feeling well? Slinging drinks for eight hours under the hot sun is not my idea of a fun Saturday.”

“It’s a good thing you won’t be slinging drinks for eight hours then.”