Reid swallowed hard. “Just Inky putting me in my place like always.”
“Oh, so that’s how you’re going to play it?” Chloe couldn’t help but feel hurt by his brush-off after all the things they’d shared.
Reid sighed and pushed his hair out of his face. “Here’s the deal. I want to take you somewhere today for your birthday. When Inky asked who else was coming, I told her no one. She got pissy about it and made a comment that, if she didn’t know better, she would think we were a couple.”
“We’re just friends,” Chloe interjected. She hated the way it made her feel that the others thought there was something going on between them. Although she had to admit, the only reason it bothered her so much was because he had a girlfriend. She never wanted to be that girl.
“I know. Which is what I told her. It’s not my fault that I’d rather spend time with you. Maybe they should be cooler. Watch Star Wars and eat some Starbursts.”
“Not my Starbursts,” Chloe shot back in a huff.
Reid held his hands out in front of him in supplication, his eyes wide and full of mirth. “Absolutely not. Who would dare piss off a Jedi Master?”
Chloe pursed her lips and popped her nonexistent collar. “No one who wants to live.”
Reid laughed and threw his arm around her shoulders. “Are we okay now?”
Chloe rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide her smile. “We’ll see. Why are you giving me a birthday present, anyway? It’s three weeks away.” She paused and eyed him carefully. “That being said, what does this birthday present involve?”
Reid’s smile was too wide, too mischievous. “We’re going to get sauced.”
Chloe blinked. “Come again?”
“You heard me. I have a surprise for you that includes two of your favorite things. Music and Starburst.”
Chloe lifted her brow. “What the hell does either of those things have to do with alcohol?”
“You’ll see. Grab your stuff from the bunk so you can be ready to check in to the hotel when we get there. As soon as you’re done, we’ll head out.”
Chloe looked at the time, her eyes widening. “It’s not even ten in the morning!”
“By the time we get there, it will be after noon. Now, get your ass moving. We should be at the hotel any minute.”
Far too intrigued to let her mind linger on what else was said between Reid and Inky, Chloe did as she was asked. Once she’d checked in to the hotel and gotten ready for the day, she headed to the lobby to meet Reid. He was already waiting.
“Ready?” he asked.
“If we’re going to be drinking, I need food. Lots and lots of food.”
“Already taken care of. Now, quit stalling. Let’s get this show on the road.”
In a private car, the two bantered back and forth throughout the ride to their destination. When the front of the building came into view, Chloe’s eyes widened and her stomach fluttered with nerves. Reid wasn’t kidding. They were going to get sauced.
“You’re taking me to a vodka distillery? Have I mentioned I’m a bit of a lightweight? Because that’s probably valuable information for you to have.”
Reid laughed and helped her out of the car once they came to a stop. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you dance on any tabletops today.”
“Thank God,” Chloe exhaled.
“Now, tonight,” Reid added with a sly smile. “Well, I can’t make any promises.”
“You’re a regular comedian today,” Chloe snarked as a large gentleman with plump cheeks and graying hair walked in their direction.
“Mr. Ryder. My name is Frank,” he said in introduction as he shook Reid’s hand. “I’ll be taking you on your tour today.”
“Call me Reid. And this is Chloe.”
“Ah.” Frank gave her a knowing smile and winked before grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles. “Starburst?” he asked, his eyes flicking to Reid.
“Yup,” Reid laughed.
“Excellent. I think you’ll be most pleased with what we’ve come up with. But first, how about we get the two of you a little lunch?”
“Lunch sounds great. Chloe?”
Chloe nodded, completely dumbfounded by everything happening around her. “Sure. Food sounds great.”
Reid grinned and motioned for Frank to lead the way. Chloe swallowed when she felt Reid’s hand brush against the small of her back. She expected him to move his hand, or at the very least, create a little distance. He did neither. She hated how much she liked that he didn’t.
Once inside the building, they followed Frank up a flight of stairs to a small room overlooking what Chloe assumed was the place where the vodka was distilled. Large copper barrels lined the floor with shiny silver pipes running out of them like vines. It was impressive and intimidating.