Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,289

honeysuckle fills the air. Serena has always held the scent of that sweet flower. It’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her. “Wow, where’d you go? You look good and ticked. Did Eli piss in your Wheaties? Because if he did, I owe him a free beer.”

“Eli’s just a kid. I’m sure he’s not even old enough to drink a beer. I’d hate to see the bar lose its liquor license. And I meant what I said. You can forget about the app. Let’s focus on what you’re doing for the bar. All you need to do is implement something simple that can bring them a little more revenue. It could be finding another napkin vendor that gets the job done cheaper.”

She crimps her lips as she leans in with a fury brewing in her eyes. “Everyone knows you don’t skimp on napkins. And I like the idea of having something that brings both the Black Bear and me a little more revenue at the very same time. Not all of us were born into litigating royalty. Some of us actually have to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps to make our way in this world.” She leans in so close, I’m within biting distance to her perky little nose.

“Litigating royalty? My father will love the compliment. Look, forget Eli and that silly app. I’d hate to see you knock yourself out over nothing. Think up a new drink for the bar. That should be fun.”

“Fun?” she barks it loud and caustic right into my face as her strawberry-scented breath washes over me. “Do you think it would be fun for me to ask Bryson to whip up a few concoctions so I can see which I think tastes best? I’m underage in the event you’re unaware. Or was that a part of your plan all along? I bet you’d get your jollies off watching me get carded by my own boss. Or better yet, setting me up for a humiliating moment at the grocery store. I bet you’d like to ride along for that one. Clean up on aisle one. Serena spilled all her tears.”

I grimace at the thought. “Okay, sorry. I momentarily forgot that you, too, were underage. Make it a non-alcoholic drink. I bet a ton of your friends would love that.”

She bucks as if I had just knocked the air out of her lungs. “A Serena Temple? I bet you’d love to see me as the laughing stock of this entire university! Boy—you really have it out for me, don’t you?” She gets in close. Her discontent with me is not only palpable, but at this point I can pretty much taste it, too. Tastes like fresh picked berries and I am not protesting.

I can’t help but manufacture a short-lived smile. “I think maybe you should get back to work, and I should have a beer.”

“You do that. Beer generally fuels bad ideas, and I’m sure you’ll have a million new suggestions for me momentarily. I’d rather spend the rest of my summer having Eli help with that app, or driving to West Virginia in an effort to find someone else who can, rather than give up on something I believe in.”

“Serena”—I take in this fireball that has always somehow possessed the air around me when the two of us are together—“you don’t need to worry about Eli or West Vagina—Virginia,” I’m quick to correct. Crap. I definitely need a beer and a girl. Not this one.

Her cheeks burn with color as her mouth falls open.

“Fine. I’ll do it with you,” I offer. “I can do it. I’m more than qualified. I’ve built apps before. It’s not my first rodeo.” And I farmed out a heck of a lot of the work at the time, but Serena doesn’t have to know that. “I’ll be your right-hand man.” I lift my arm. “And I’ve got a strong hand at the subject, so you’re in luck.”

Her eyes flash with flames. “So your right hand is strong. That’s an indicator of several things.” A satisfied smile glides over her lips.

“Honey, I don’t need to host a party for one. There are plenty of wildflowers ready for the picking.” Where in the hell did that come from? I’ve never likened a woman to a flower before, but then, Serena has the ability to drive me to do the unthinkable, let alone come up with a few floral analogies.

“Says the boy who was trying to hide