Page 121 of Small Town Firsts
Annette hiccuped. “You’d be right. This is my second.”
I laughed. “I’m assuming Lennon took your keys?”
“Of course I did.” Lennon pointed over her shoulder. “The basket is full. Laverne said she’d send the drunk bus for us after lunch.”
I took another sip and savored it. She was a damn good mixologist. “Speaking of lunch. Where’s Kain?”
“Kitchen.”
I took my drink as I stood, then laughed when she put another one in front of me. “Bring that to the big guy. He’s currently addicted to them, too.”
“Will do. Thanks, Lennon.”
“No, thank you. I didn’t realize just how much I would love creating here.” Her long lashes swept down to hide her emotions. “Or how much I needed it.” She cleared her throat. “Now go on. I have to go kick my staff’s ass since I’m the only one making drinks around here,” she said with a raised voice.
A sandy haired man scrambled around the back of the bar. “You only had to ask, princess.”
Lennon rolled her eyes. “Save it for the waitresses who love that shit, Dean.”
He grinned as he grabbed a white towel and threw it over his shoulder. “You wound me.”
I shook my head as I took my drinks into the kitchen. The scent of bacon and cheese made my stomach roar.
“Boa!You finally came out of your workshop.” Kain waggled his eyebrows at me. “Did you let Kira out with some whisker burn?”
“Shut up.” I held out the glass for him. “Compliments of Lennon.”
“Ahh, she’s a miracle, man. I usually don’t even like mixed drinks, but she’s got a way.” He took a drink and gave a smacking, “ahh.”
“What are you making? I’m freaking starving.”
“Figured grilled pizzas would be easiest. Soak up some of that dangerous alcohol. Goddamn, that cider has some kick. You done good, man.”
“Thanks. I can’t believe it finally came together.”
“Just had to wait out the perfect wave, brah.”
If that wasn’t the truth. And its name was Kira. “Yeah. I’ll probably play around with lower alcohol for bottling. I’m just glad we’ll be ready for the opening.”
“Now I can finally make a fucking menu.” He nodded to the leather notebook on the butcher block. “You can take a look.”
“Nice.” I headed for the counter, but he stopped me. “We have time for that.” He pulled out a large pizza flipper and spun it, then handed it to me. “Now help me take out the pizzas.”
“I can do that.”
The morning quickly melted away into food, laughter, and the buzz of excitement. The staff was enjoying my ciders, and the flavors had instantly started conversations behind the bar and amongst the kitchen staff. How fancy to make the menu versus making it a more mass appeal with sliders and poutine.
I voted for poutine.
I convinced Kira to test out the large U-shaped booth in the corner to have some pizza, but found myself yawning my head off halfway through my third slice.
“You need sleep.”
“Gonna put me to bed?”
“No. Now that you’re finally done with the ciders, I have tons of work to do.”
I laid my head on her shoulder. “Mean.”
