Page 15 of Single Malt

“I’ve helped with a few events before, but this is the first one I’ve done the majority of the work for.”

“Will there be a live band?”

Her question almost made me smile. Almost. “This isn’t really a ‘live band’ type of event.”

“But we will be drinking.”

She said it as a statement, but it was more theweof it that I needed to address. “Anyone in attendance who is old enough to drink will be allowed to have alcohol, but an ID will be required.”

She gave me a smirk wide enough to be seen out of the corner of my eye. “Certainly.”

I kept my tone casual. “Anyone attempting to use a fake ID will go in front of the disciplinary committee.”

She sighed. “It is probably all wine and champagne. I have plenty of that back home.”

I knew that countries all had their own legal age when it came to drinking, but I had no idea if Karina was lying or just trying to manipulate me. If it was the latter, she either wasn’t very good at it, or she was used to easier marks.

I ignored the comment and flipped to another tab on my browser, forgetting until I saw what I’d been staring at over breakfast this morning.

“Wow!”

Shit.

She followed with a few Spanish exclamations that said essentially the same thing. She was impressed.

I started to close the window but realized that would only make things worse. I had to act as if what was on my screen meant nothing.

Because it didn’t.

“Shannon’s is providing the whiskey for the event. Dr. Ipres asked for it specifically.” I clicked a link on the page to take it to the list of places that served Shannon’s, hoping the tension in my body didn’t show in my movements.

“Does he come with the whiskey?” She leaned over and used the touchpad to go back to the previous page. “I would drink him up.”

I wanted to snap at her that he was too old for her, that she needed to stay away from him, but I caught myself in time.

“Mr. McCrae is the owner of Shannon’s,” I said in what I hoped was a casual tone. “He doesn’t make deliveries.”

“Did he give you a special delivery?” She grinned at me in a way that left absolutely no doubt about what she was asking.

I shot her an annoyed look and closed the browser window, but I didn’t acknowledge her question.

“Do you have a boyfriend? A lover?” She plopped down on the stool next to me.

Apparently, she’d found something interesting enough to take her attention from her phone.

Me.

Wonderful.

Ten

Brody

I only wantedto look professional. That was why I’d brought a suit and tie with me instead of my usual dress shirt and slacks. It had nothing to do with the fact that this particular business meeting was with Freedom. I didn’t care what she thought of me.

We’d managed to have a civil discussion when we’d talked on the phone about Shannon’s supplying the alcohol for the art exhibit. We could meet and keep it purely professional.

I had absolutely no interest in anything more.