Maybe for You--A Whiskey and Weddings Novel

by Nicole McLaughlin

  In response, TJ pulled a stack of stapled invoices from the bottom of his paper pile and slid it across the table. Jake picked up the first one. It was from a bar he and Alex had visited in Pensacola that owned multiple locations along the Gulf. The invoice was for a nine-hundred-dollar order.

  “Nice,” he said, moving onto the next document. Twelve hundred dollars from a place in New Orleans. Wow. The next two were similar orders from places he and Alex had visited. The last one, he stared at for a long moment. He looked at TJ who raised his eyebrows. “You’re shitting me,” Jake said.

  “Crazy, right?”

  “Whatever you did or said, this time it worked,” Dean added.

  “I turned down a night out with the daughter. That’s what I did.”

  “You’re kidding,” TJ said. “And you didn’t even tell me about that?”

  Jake shrugged. “Didn’t seem important.” And also because they weren’t talking as frequently as they’d been before.

  “She ugly or something?” Dean asked.

  Jake shook his head. “No, she was hot. I just … I don’t know. Wasn’t feeling it. Plus I didn’t want to ditch Alex to go out with her that night. She’d have been alone.”

  “Good man,” Dean said. “And she obviously didn’t hold a grudge.”

  “Yeah. I’m shocked,” Jake said, looking over the thirty-six-hundred-dollar invoice. “When did this come in?”

  “This morning. This tour seriously paid off. This makes thirteen orders total that have come in since you got back.”

  Jake leaned back in his chair. “Must have been your sister,” he said to Dean. “She charmed everyone she met.”

  “Of that I have no doubt.” Dean pushed back his chair but didn’t stand up. “But we know this is you. All of your tours have helped this business grow, but this one takes the cake.”

  Jake looked up at Dean. Had he heard him correctly? “Thank you.”

  Dean smirked. “You got plans tonight?”

  Jake narrowed his brow. “No. Why?”

  “I thought we could go out and celebrate.”

  There was a small knock at the door. They all turned to find Alex peeking in. “Sorry to bother you,” she said quietly.

  “No problem. Come on in,” TJ said.

  She quickly met eyes with Jake as she stepped in. “Uh, Dean, Farmer Ben is here to pick up the mash?” Her lips grimaced as if she’d said it wrong. Jake smiled. Clearly she didn’t realize they bought their rye from Ben. He cut him a good deal because he came back and picked up the cooked mash to feed his pigs. This kind of relationship was part of the beauty of running a small-batch, locally sourced distillery.

  “Okay, thanks.”

  She gave a quick smile, and Jake and Dean both called her back at the same time. “Sorry,” Dean said. “Alex I just wanted to ask you if you could call Julie’s down the street and make a reservation for dinner tonight. For seven people.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “We’re celebrating,” Jake said, standing up. He walked around the conference table and handed her the invoice.

  He watched her scan the contents, her mouth sliding into a smile. “Oh my God! No way!”

  Jake laughed. “Can you believe it?”

  Her arms flew around his neck in a tight squeeze. His hands settled on her back as he glanced over her shoulder at TJ and Dean, who were both looking on in surprise.

  Alex pulled back and looked at the other two guys. “This is amazing. You guys have no idea how hard Jake works on these tours. He’s incredible.”

  Dean’s eyebrow went up. “We actually do know, and we’re grateful.”

  “Yeah, well, you better.” She gave Jake one last smile and left the conference room.

  When she was gone, Jake turned back to his friends, who still looked like they wanted to say something, but thankfully neither did. Jake took that as an opportunity to escape. “Thanks for the good news, guys. I’ve got work to do. Can’t wait to celebrate tonight.”

  He walked out of the conference room and into his office, his heart pounding. Right now it was difficult to know which he was more excited about, the order from Peter Dunn’s company, or the fact that he finally found the nerve to ask Alex to come over tonight.

  No, that was bullshit. There wasn’t an order or an account in the world that would compare to spending a night with Alex. Now he just had to convince her.

  He picked up his phone and sent her a text.

  JAKE: Go in the women’s bathroom in two minutes.

  ALEX: Jake!! You’re insane.

  JAKE: You gonna be there?

  ALEX: Yes.

  He grinned down at his phone, startled when a knock came at the door. Glancing up, he found TJ standing there.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yeah.” He glanced at the time. “I’ve got a minute.”

  TJ’s eyebrow raised as he closed the door and then sat down. “So, you and Alex.”

  Jake sighed. Of course he couldn’t hide anything from his best friend. Honestly, he was surprised it had taken TJ this long. “What about it?”

  The look of resignation on TJ’s face said he was hoping he’d been wrong. “Dude.”

  “It’s fine, man.”

  “Is it? Dean will … hell, I don’t even know. Gut you.”

  “And why is that? Would it be because he doesn’t want anyone with his sister or would it be because I wouldn’t meet his standards?”

  TJ frowned. “Come on, man. We all know that you’ve never been one for serious relationships. No guy wants that for his sister.”

  “What if that’s not what’s going on here?” Jake asked, defensively.

  “Is it not? Because the last I heard, she’s moving in November. Am I mistaken?”

  Jake’s lips pursed and he rested his chin in the crook of his hand as he leaned on his armrest. “No. You’re not mistaken.”

  TJ muttered a curse. “You’ve fallen for her. Haven’t you?”

  Their eyes met. “I don’t know.”

  “Does she know that?”

  Jake shook his head. “No. And she won’t. Ever.” Did he just admit to falling for her? Did he even know himself? He knew that he thought about her constantly. Her smile, her taste, the way he felt inside her. The way she laughed at her own jokes, and teased him when he wasn’t sure how to do something.

  “Why won’t she know? Are you crazy?”

  “She’s moving, just like you said. And she wants that. Sees it as her opportunity to finally follow her dreams.”

  TJ looked confused, then laughed, shaking his head.

  “What the hell’s so goddamn funny,” Jake asked.

  “I seem to recall being the jackass on the other end of almost this exact conversation with you several times last year. Now I know how stupid I sounded.”

  Jake should be offended, but instead he found himself laughing. “You’re right. Damn, you pissed me off. Everyone knew you and Jen were hot for each other.”

  “Yeah, well, that little display you and Alex just put on in the conference room…”

  “Did Dean say anything?”

  “Not yet, but you better prepare yourself for the third degree if anything else happens. I just happen to know you a little better than he does.”

  Jake’s phone buzzed and he glanced down. Alex had texted him a stopwatch emoji. He smiled. “I gotta go,” he said, getting up from his desk.

  “Jake,” TJ said, stopping him. “If you’re into Alex, let her know. Don’t let a good thing get away without trying. I speak from experience.”

  “We’ll see, man.” He walked out of his office and headed for the bathroom. Right now he wasn’t sure about the future, all he had on his mind was finally getting his hands on Alex.

  He glanced around the hallway and ducked into the ladies’ restroom. It was empty. Leaning down, he scanned the floor under the two stalls, grinning when he saw her little beige ballet shoes in the last one. Walking down the short row, he gently pressed on the door. It s
wung open to reveal her standing there biting her lip.

  “This is insane,” she said.

  He locked the stall door and turned to her. “But it’s exciting, isn’t it.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  Slowly he stalked toward her, taking in her full lips, flushed cheeks, and bright eyes. “You’re so beautiful I can hardly stand it.”

  The minute his hands settled on her hips, she tilted her face up to his. “Kiss me.”

  “I plan on it. But tonight, you’re coming home with me, and we’re going to do a lot more then kissing. Deal?”

  She nodded. “Deal.”

  Eighteen

  Alex had never been so hyperaware of another person’s body. It was a rather small restaurant, and they were seated at a tightly packed round table, which meant she was nearly shoulder to shoulder to Jake. It also meant he’d been able to discreetly put his hand on her upper thigh, his fingers sliding over her skin back and forth.

  It was driving her mad in the best possible way.

  After kissing in the ladies’ restroom today, she’d gone back and forth on telling him tonight was a bad idea. But the minute he’d walked into the restaurant sporting the most well-fitted slacks and button-up shirt stretched across his chest, she knew she’d been fooling herself. She was pretty sure he’d liked what he saw when he’d looked at her if the smoldering look he’d given her had been any indication. Exactly what she’d hoped for when she’d chosen this navy dress that rode a little high and dipped a little low.

  And yet, even with electricity zinging between them, they’d only said hello briefly before taking a seat beside each other. Once their lower extremities had been concealed, it hadn’t taken him long to start touching her, and she hadn’t minded a bit.

  Having roving fingers on her thighs hadn’t stopped her from chatting with John, who sat to her right. It was a little odd that he was Charlotte’s ex, but Alex could certainly see why Charlotte, and eventually Dean, liked him. He was handsome, funny, and charming. He’d very politely asked her about her job with the CIA, which she’d discussed as well as she could, considering she hadn’t yet started. He seemed to be very interested in the kind of work she did, and she realized how much she enjoyed talking about it.

  On her other side she could feel Jake listening to their conversation, slightly leaning in her direction, his thumb drawing pictures on her bare skin below the table.

  Everyone was in good spirits and several toasts were made around the table, about celebrating six years in business, about the tour, and Jen’s new position that would hopefully take the wedding-planning part of the Stag to the next level. They’d even discussed Charlotte and Dean’s upcoming wedding.

  “That reminds me,” Charlotte said, looking at Alex. “Next week I’m going to choose our wedding cake. I’d love you to come with me.”

  “Oh my gosh, I’d love that. But…” she glanced at Dean. “Don’t you want to go?”

  “We have ten barrels that need bottling this week. Besides, I went last year. I think you’ll enjoy it.” He gave her a smile, and she understood that he meant he’d gone last year when he’d been planning her wedding. The thought sobered her up a bit.

  “Only if you want to, Alex,” Charlotte said.

  “I want to. Definitely.”

  “Good. I’ll text you the time. I can pick you up.”

  Alex nodded and found herself glancing over at Jake. He winked at her, squeezing her thigh quickly and then pulling his hand up onto the table so he could eat. Immediately she missed his touch, and as soon as she was finished with her chicken, she moved her arm in order to put her hand on him.

  She started on his thigh, just resting her hand there. Before long, he’d casually leaned a bit in his chair as everyone continued to drink and converse. It wasn’t long before he placed his own hand on hers and moved it … right … there.

  Oh God. His penis jumped under her hand and she gave it a gentle squeeze. He gave the slightest jerk, which delighted her to no end. She glanced around the table to see if anyone seemed to notice, but they were all caught up in their own conversations.

  Their group continued to talk, nearly closing Julie’s Bistro down. All the other tables were empty, but Ian the manager—who knew the guys well since the Stag was down the road—told them to take their time and enjoy themselves.

  She was trying, but at some point, over the past twenty minutes they’d been sitting there … something about her had felt off. Very, very off.

  *   *   *

  Jake leaned to his right and spoke quietly. “You okay?” he asked Alex.

  She turned to him, her face and the tops of her breasts were flushed, and her eyes bright. “Yeah. Why?”

  “You’ve had a lot to drink.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and he hoped he hadn’t offended her. He knew how she hated to be made to feel like she needed someone keeping tabs on her. But something wasn’t right about how she was swaying.

  “Not really. You counting?” she asked.

  Grateful she’d spoken quietly and not drawn attention, he shook his head. “No.” And he hadn’t been—she’d just gotten quiet, in addition to the physical symptoms.

  Then again, it was getting late. They’d been here over three hours. Deciding to drop it, he turned back to the table to find Charlotte watching them. He gave her a tight-lipped smile.

  Did she know? It was possible that Alex had confided in her, but he wasn’t certain that Alex would have trusted that Charlotte could keep from telling Dean, so maybe it was just her sharp observational skills. Nothing got by Charlotte, and he figured it was partly because she was a photographer. He’d seen enough of her work to note how she managed to take photos of people in intimate moments that others around them would probably never have noticed.

  Twenty minutes later John announced he was heading out. Everyone said goodbye, then Charlotte spoke up. “This was fun, everyone. We should do it more often.”

  “We should. In fact, TJ and I were thinking that we should have another cookout. Like we did in the spring,” Jen said.

  “That’s such a good idea. Especially now that Alex is home for a while,” Charlotte said. Jake couldn’t help notice Alex didn’t really respond with anything more than a smile. Something wasn’t right. An hour ago she’d been slowly trying to rub out a situation below the table. He’d had to stop her, reluctantly. They could finish it later. Maybe—because now she was eerily quiet, her hands folded in her lap.

  “You feeling okay?” Dean asked, his eyes narrowed on Alex.

  Thank you. Someone else was seeing it.

  Alex balked, an annoyed chuckle coming out. “Why is everyone asking me that?”

  “Sweetie your face is red.” Jen’s face was full of sympathy.

  Without thinking, Jake reached over and held the back of his hand to her forehead. She jerked back at first, but then relaxed when she realized what he was doing.

  “You’re really warm, Alex.” Now he was worried. He wasn’t imagining this.

  “I guess I do feel kind of shitty.” Alex looked at all of them. “But it’s not because I’m drunk. My stomach hurts.” She put a hand on her stomach. “Maybe it was my chicken.”

  “Could have been,” Charlotte glanced at everyone. “Anyone else get chicken tonight?”

  Everyone shook their heads. Dean and TJ and even John had gotten the same as Jake, steak. And he was pretty sure the other two women had gotten salmon because they’d discussed it at length while they ate.

  Alex’s shoulders sagged. “We need to stop talking about it. I feel worse with every second that goes by.”

  “Why don’t I take you home?” Jake said, moving to get up.

  “No!” Her eyes got wide and she looked at her brother. “Can we go? Like, right now. Please.”

  Everyone looked at one another for a second, and then moved all at once. Jake watched Alex stand up and bolt to the front of the restaurant without speaking to anyone. Charlotte rushed after her.
>
  “She’s so going to christen the sidewalk out front,” Jen said as they gathered their things. “I know it when I see it.”

  “Are you serious?” Jake said frantically, fearing that she was probably right.

  “Should we tell Ian we think she may have food poisoning?” TJ asked quietly.

  “I don’t know. Shit, this sucks,” Dean muttered as he scratched his signature onto the credit card receipt. “What if that’s not what it is.”

  “Seems likely.” Jake glanced down and saw Alex’s purse on the floor near her chair. He picked it up. “She was fine until a little bit ago.”

  “Maybe she’s just drunk,” Dean said.

  “She didn’t drink more than I did,” Jen added.

  “Yeah, I don’t think that’s it,” Jake said. And he didn’t. It had come on too suddenly. He’d seen her drink before and she hadn’t gotten sick like this. Plus she wasn’t acting intoxicated. “But I think we should tell Ian. He’d be better off erring on the side of safety and throwing out the chicken. We’re his friends and we won’t make a big deal about this. Someone else might take it to the news.”

  “He’s right,” TJ said. He looked at Dean. “You take her home. I’ll talk to him.”

  Dean nodded. “Thanks, man.”

  Jake followed Dean outside, Alex’s purse in his hand. The minute they were on the sidewalk, he heard it.

  “Shit,” Jake muttered, his heart pounding. It was dark out, but the Maple Springs town square perimeter was dotted with vintage-style street lamps, giving them a clear view of Alex bent over near a park bench on the square puking her guts out. Charlotte stood next to her, rubbing her back. She looked over and saw them all on the sidewalk.

  “Dean, bring me some napkins from the car,” Charlotte called.

  He moved quickly, heading for his vehicle parked along the side of the road. Jake didn’t know what to do with himself, so he began to cross the street just as Alex stood up and looked over her shoulder.

  “No!” she called out instantly. “Go away!”

  He froze, eyes locking with Charlotte, who gave him a sad smile. “It’s okay Jake, we’ll call you and let you know how she is.”

  Nodding, and feeling a little stupid, he held up Alex’s purse. “I’ll put this in Dean’s car.”