Te-Kill-Ya Sunrise by Patti Larsen

Author:Patti Larsen [Larsen, Patti]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-08T13:50:11+00:00

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Chapter Thirteen

When I returned, I found Jasper taking a break from his DJ gig, sparkling behind the bar, giving Pika a necessary helping hand. It was clear from Ox’s forlorn expression the playboy hadn’t given my employee an opportunity to join his love interest again. Instead, cheerful as ever, my friend’s bout with the law apparently unable to phase his confidence or the charisma, had sold enough drinks to make up for the fact he hadn’t told me he was okay.

He quickly gave way to me when I slipped in beside him, returning to spinning tunes. And while he was good at everything he did, his heart wasn’t into slinging drinks, not if he couldn’t be the center of attention.

That role fell entirely to Pika. She shot me a blank look—her favorite from someone who gleefully acted like the perfect automaton and prided herself on it—when I shook my head at the lineup she dealt with as calmly as if they didn’t exist.

That girl earned her tips by being mean and cold and it cracked me up.

Not that it kept me from joining in the fun. Now that I’d tidied up the Valentine mess, I could get back to what I loved. Friday evening meant throwing myself gleefully into tossing bottles and taking cash for the privilege.

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that the three friends showed up, the women who didn’t appear to be so much grieving as they were regretful ordering a solid round of tequila shots, staying at the bar to toss them back after clinking in salute. They’d dressed down tonight, no more slinky dresses or high heels in evidence, opting for shorts and shells though still above-average compared to the bulk of my guests.

“To Sunny,” Nina said.

“Sunny,” Hannah and Latoya echoed, the three wincing as the strong spirit made its way down their throats. Limes and salt followed, a second round already poured to drown their sorrows in. I had a brief lull moment, long enough to offer a third when the second vanished.

“This one’s on me,” I said. Not that I handed out free booze on the regular, but their friend had died at my place and whether that was my fault or not, I still felt a little guilty about it.

Their soft cheer of thanks ended with another toss, swallow, lick and bite. Hannah set her purse on the bar with a thud, reaching into it for a wad of cash, while I stared in surprise, surveying the other three a moment.

“You all have the same bag.” They did, identical. Well, crap, down to the chain straps and all. But wait. “Yours is a yin yang?” Hannah nodded, Nina, holding hers up, showing off an embroidered star, while Latoya’s had that medical symbol I could never remember the name of.

A caduceus. Yeah, that was it.

“Sunny’s idea,” Nina said, burping delicately, already flushed from the tequila hitting her system.

“She always had big ideas.” Latoya’s rapid descent into glum and grim had the other two nodding in their own despair.

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