Page 106 of September

“Your drink. Orange and mint? Wait. Let’s go whiskey again. I’ll be right back.”

“Where is she going?” Molly asked when Candace hurried back behind the bar.

Logan walked over and set Gwen’s beer in front of her.

“What’s up with her?” Gwen asked.

“She’s been a little wired lately. They just started planning the wedding, and she’s trying to find the perfect signature cocktail for the reception, so she’s testing things. Rory has had to try, like, three drinks tonight, and she doesn’t even drink that much. I got her a burger to help soak up the alcohol.”

“Who’s Candace marrying?” Juliet asked Gwen. “I don’t remember hearing about the woman she’s with in your list of names.”

“Keith. He’s a guy,” Gwen replied.

“Oh, right,” Juliet said and lifted her glass to her lips. She took a sip and added, “Damn! That’s good.”

“She’s the best,” Logan said. “Now, I’ve got to get back before she gives Rory something else to drink. I love her, and I’ll hold her hair if she has to throw up, but it’s not really how I want us to spend the rest of our night when I get off work.”

Logan walked away then, leaving the three of them sitting there. Juliet took another sip before she passed her glass to Gwen, who took one sip to try it out and nodded.

“It’s good, but I’ll stick to my beer.”

“Molls?” Juliet asked.

“No, thanks. I’m kind of curious to see what Candace is going to bring me.”

Juliet set her drink down and pulled out the tabletop menu, trying to decide what to order for dinner.

“So, how’s work for you? Did anyone ask you whoyouslept with today?” Gwen asked Molly.

“No, but that would imply I were sleeping with anyone. I’m too busy pining from afar or, sometimes, close-up when she has to work on my computer, and I’m sitting right there, smelling that cologne she uses.”

“This is Finley, right?” Gwen asked.

“Yes. She’s taken, and I’ve never had the guts to ask her out when she wasn’t. She’s oblivious to me liking her.”

“You hide it well,” Juliet said.

“No, I don’t.” Molly laughed.

“You’re right; you don’t. Fin’s just Fin.”

“What does that mean?” Gwen asked.

“She’s really techy, so when there’s a techy thing going on, she’s just focused on that. She doesn’t pay attention to how Molly blushes whenever she’s around or that she can barely complete a sentence.”

“I didn’t come here to be picked on,” Molly said, playfully glaring at Juliet.

“I’ll buy you dinner to make up for it.”

“Here,” Candace announced as she placed a glass down in front of Molly.

“Okay. What is it, exactly?” Molly asked, checking out the glass that had what looked like a thick layer of foam on top.

“It’s Grand Marnier, orange juice, whiskey, fresh vanilla bean, egg white, and orange twists. I also added just a touch of cinnamon. Just a touch.”

“So, you know that it’s there but it doesn’t overwhelm?” Gwen guessed, teasing Candace.

“Exactly. You’re not allergic to eggs, are you?”