Page 105 of September

“I think she’s about to cancel your beer and make you a drink. Mixologist, remember?”

“How did she know I like apple? Did you tell her?”

“No,” Gwen said. “I haven’t seen or talked to Candace since the night you and I were here.”

“Weird,” Juliet replied.

“Hey, you two,” Molly said and sat down next to Juliet. “Can I really be a third wheel tonight, or were you going for a date thing?”

“A date thing?” Gwen laughed.

“I’m serious,” Molly said. “I don’t want to ruin anything. I just thought you might need some support.” She turned from Juliet to Gwen. “But I guess that’s whatyoudo now, huh?”

“You canbothsupport me,” Juliet replied.

“So, she told you?” Molly asked Gwen.

“Yes. And you’re in HR. Is that normal? Them coming after Jules like that?”

“Not really, but also yeah.” Molly shrugged. “It’s a hard situation. Stacey didn’t exactly like having to do that.”

“Who’s Stacey?”

“The HR rep I told you about,” Juliet said.

“She told me after you left the office that because the complaint came in, she had to at least investigate it. It’s required.”

“Go after the guy who kept hitting on my girlfriend,” Gwen suggested.

Juliet smiled at her and said, “You’re cute when you’re jealous, but he wasn’t hitting on me.”

“What about the whole unsafe work conditions thing?” Gwen asked Molly.

“Unsafe?”

“She’s in these hotels by herself, with a lot of dudes,” Gwen said.

“Some women, too.”

“None of them invited you to dinner repeatedly,” Gwen said.

“Down, girl,” Molly joked and laughed. “Are you uncomfortable going now?” she asked Juliet.

“A little, yeah. I mean, I wasn’t before, but it just got me thinking that I’m there alone, hours from home, and it’s easy for them to find out my room number or get me alone, so I don’t know. It’s just weird now. All I did was have Gwen in my room, and he happened to hear something he shouldn’t have. Then, there’s an investigation into me and probably the poor guy who was just trying to be nice, too. It seems really stupid.”

“I agree,” Molly said. “Which is why I think you should tell them about the plan you have for the local classes.”

“I just started working on it today.”

“So? Tell them now. They can do more work on itwithyou, and given everything that’s happened lately, I think they’ll be really happy with the idea of saving money and avoiding potential lawsuits.”

“Okay. In honor of apples and the season, I’ve made you an apple cider bourbon. It has homemade apple cider, bourbon, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, and orange bitters. Shaken, notstirred,” Candace rattled off and set the drink down in front of Juliet. “With a fresh apple slice on the rim. I also added a little orange zest when I shook it and a touch of nutmeg. Just a touch. I’m hoping it’s there, but not overwhelming.” Candace smacked her forehead. “Caramel. You probably want caramel, too. I can burn up some sugar on top. That would be–”

“How do you know that?” Juliet asked her, laughing a little at Candace’s antics.

“I just do.” She then looked down at Molly and asked, “Orange and mint?”

“Huh?”