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This is too easy. I feel right at home in the middle of it. That’s the problem.

“What are you drinking?” Bishop asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“Diet Dr Pepper,” I say the first thing that comes to mind. I haven’t had a ton of bar experience. Coffee shops are more my speed.

“All right.” That’s it. No teasing. No attempt to convince me I need something stronger. He’s a genuinely good guy like that.

I glance at the bottles lined up behind the bar. “Actually… maybe I want a drink.”

Bishop looks back at me. “You sure?”

“Yes, Dad.”

He leans closer, dropping his voice. “What did I tell you about calling me that?”

The heat, already warming my cheeks, creeps a little higher. Right. I walked directly into that one.

“That you prefer daddy?”

Now I’m really striking matches with Bishop.

His grin is slow. “Pretty sure that wasn’t it.”

“Just help me pick a drink.” I catch my lip between my teeth.

“What do you usually order?”

“Margaritas, mostly. I’m not exactly a cocktail expert.”

“You like sweet.”

“You know that from my coffee.”

“Still counts.” His eyes flick briefly to my mouth before returning to mine. “What about an amaretto sour?”

“Is it sweet?”

“Sweet. Little tart.”

“Okay. I’ll try it.”

Bishop catches Eddie’s attention. “Three-one-two. One amaretto sour. And a Diet Dr Pepper.”

I turn toward him. “Both?”

“You might hate it.”

“And if I do?”

Eddie sets the soda down first, and Bishop slides it toward me. “Then you drink this.”

A minute later, a pale gold drink appears beside it, ice clinking against the glass with a bright red cherry at the bottom. Followed by Bishop’s beer in an amber bottle with a bright yellow label.

I take a cautious sip.

Sweet almond hits my tongue first, followed by enough tartness to keep it from tasting like candy.

“Oh.”