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“I’m not a big whiskey drinker,” I say.
“It’s one of the top ten best whiskeys in the world.” Mystery Bae takes both our glasses in his long-fingered hands and gives me one.
I take a quick sniff, smelling almost a caramel sweetness. “I smell sherry. But a lot is going on here.”
“What I love about it is its complexity. The nose is a little smoky and sweet, with hints of dark toffee and nutmeg.”
“Are you a bartender or a sommelier?” I ask, only half teasing.
A slight smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Something like that.”
“Nice.” I raise my glass to him. “Thank you for the drink.”
He touches his glass to mine. “You’re welcome.”
We each take a sip. He swallows it easily while I fight the urge not to cough. The liquor starts off bitter and hot, after which a symphony of flavors coats my tongue. It’s delectable.
“Have you ever been here before?” I ask, wanting to prolong our time together.
“No. I don’t get out as much as I’d like to.”
“Why is that?” I take another sip of my drink.
“Work keeps me busy.”
“I’m here on vacation.”
“Where’s home?”
“Harlem. I’m visiting family here, crashing with my brother, Niko.”
“Are you here with your family tonight?”
“Just my sister and some of her friends.”
He finishes his drink in one smooth swallow. “So that guy I saw you with? He’s just a friend?”
He noticed me earlier? I tilt my head and wet my bottom lip with my tongue. His eyes follow the action, making me all hot and bothered. I fight the urge to grin, trying to play it cool. “No. I’m happily single. What about you?”
“I’m happily single as well.”
Over the past few minutes, we’ve gravitated closer to one another. We’re leaning into each other’s space, our barstools nearly touching. My feet are tucked underneath his stool as his long legs brush against the outside of mine. I can smell the whiskey on his breath and the faint cologne on his skin—a woodsy and spice concoction that makes me want to lean in a little closer.
“Who are you here with?” I ask, taking another small sip of my drink. It goes down smoother this time.
“No one. I just stopped by to check out my buddy’s new club.”
He’s friends with Daryl Foxworth? “Are you a professional athlete?”
He laughs silently. “No.”
Oh, thank God. I have no intention of hooking up with a professional athlete. Hold up. Am I seriously considering hooking up with him?
Who am I kidding? It’s all I can think about.
I’m feeling him. He intrigues me as much as he intimidates me. In the real world, that would be a recipe for a disaster or the start of something toxic. But we’re not in the real world. I’m on vacation. And after tonight, we’ll never see each other again.
“I’m leaving for home in the morning,” I say.
