Page 68 of A Taste of Whiskey
“And it would have made more sense for our family’s tradition,” Alice said.
“That’s a great idea,” Birdie said. “What do you think, Sasha? Do you prefer a crown or a cowgirl hat?”
Sasha stole a glance at Ezra, who was licking chocolate off his fingers, and the sinful look in his eyes sent her heart into a wild flutter.
“Sasha, crown or cowgirl hat?” Birdie urged.
Flustered, she said, “Um…Another s’more,” and got up to get a marshmallow from the table. The bag was empty. It was just as well. She could use a distraction. “I’m going inside to get more marshmallows. I’ll be right back.”
“I can get them,” Dwight offered.
“It’s okay. I’ve got it.” Sasha headed for the big house. A minute later she heard heavy footfalls, and Bobbie and Birdie flanked her, linking their arms with hers.
“Someone’s been keeping secrets from her besties,” Bobbie said with hushed urgency.
“What are you talking about?” Sasha opened the kitchen door, and they headed inside. “You’re the one flirting with Taz and Hyde.”
“I amnot. They’re flirting with me,” Bobbie insisted. “They’re like dogs in heat.”
“Hot dogs in heat.” Birdie laughed.“Hot dogs!”
“Focus, Birdie. Okay, Sasha. Give it up,” Bobbie said. “We saw the sexy looks you and Ezra have been giving each other all night.”
She was dying to tell them the truth, but she’d made a promise to Ezra that nobody would find out. “You guys are nuts. I’m not giving him sexy looks.” She grabbed a bag of marshmallows from the pantry.
They gave her deadpan looks.
“I work at a bar. I know the difference between the looks two people who are fucking give each other and the look of two people whowant to befucking.” Bobbie narrowed her eyes. “What you and that Greek god are doing is definitely the former.”
Holy cow, are we that transparent?
“And you’ve been way too happy lately,” Birdie said.
“Did it ever occur to you that I’m happy because Posey is doing well, and I was worried about her?” It was a viable reason. Now that Posey was more comfortable and trusting of Sasha and had bonded with Dream, she was settling in nicely. Sasha continued to put them in adjacent pens when she turned them out, giving Posey a schedule and a friend she could anticipate and count on.
“Yes.” Birdie leaned forward, whispering, “But you lookorgasmhappy. Not horse happy.”
“Unless Ezra is hung like a horse,” Bobbie added excitedly.
“Good point. Is he?” Birdie whispered conspiratorially.
Yes, and he drives me crazy with that particular body part, and with his hands and mouth, and everything.She thought about the way he gazed deeply into her eyes when they made love, and her insides clenched. But it was so much bigger than that. He talked and listened and he was thoughtful and loving and would give his own life to protect his son.
She couldn’t tell them any of those things, but as she looked at the sister and friend she’d trusted with many of her secrets, she didn’t want to lie. “Ifwe were hooking up, you know I wouldn’t talk about it anyway because it’s against policy to date other employees.”
“Now you know why I don’t work here. You never know when a hottie is going to show up and sweep you off your feet.” Birdie’s eyes widened. “Wait.Does that mean what I think it means?”
Sasha tried to stifle her smile.
“Yes!” Bobbie exclaimed. She and Birdie squealed and hugged Sasha. “I’m so happy for you. But you’d better stop looking at him like you want to eat him for dinner unless you want everyone to know.”
“That won’t matter. She’s always looked at him like that,” Birdie said.
“Then why did you say you could tell we were hooking up because of how we were looking at each other?” Sasha asked.
“I didn’t. Bobbie did. I said you look orgasm happy, but that wasn’t how I knew about you two either. I saw you guys kissing when we were playing paintball.”
Sasha’s stomach seized, and panic flared in her chest.
