Surround me - the first novel

Chapter 83 - all talk and no action right

Taylor's POV

Rachel Bevan just likes to have a laugh and a good time. I get the feeling that her normal day to day life bores her and so she likes to spice up her evenings, every single night. Rachel is unapologetically herself at all times, she doesn't ever see a problem with shotting three vodka sours and then smoking to her hearts content. I begin to wonder if I've yet seen her sober, and refuse to dwell on the fact that I never have.

I notice as I head over to the bar that Jay is only encouraging her with the shots and decide to shoot him my best glare. He raises his hands in the air and offers me one next. Eyeing him seriously I take the shot.

"Blender" I say to Rachel as she stares at me briefly.

"We need a blender" I say directing my attention to her solely. Rachel and too much alcohol equates to bad decisions. And Jay Gilbert Scott I've decided is just one bad decision away from causing her a whole load of mess.

Deciding that I'm not playing his games he takes a back seat and lounges over the bar. Rachel returns with a blender and facing away from him I prep the strawberries.

"Where did you learn this" she slurs at me.

"What how to cut strawberries" I laugh and she giggles.

"I'm joking my mom, we used to make cocktails. We baked too you know" I say to her and she smiles at me genuinely.

"Now what do we do" she laughs over at me and I look at the blender knowingly.

"Hey do you want a slushy one" I smirk and she claps her hands.

"That's a yes" she smiles as I place the strawberries in the blender and pulse them.

When I instruct her she riffles through the cupboards to find me a sieve which I explain to her looks like a small bowl with holes in it.

"Got it" she smirks holding it up.

"Okay pour the strawberries into it over the sink" I instruct. She slops them through and I gather the ice and sugar syrup. Passing Jay briefly to get the rum. Phillipa joins us giving me a smile.

We blend the rest of the ingredients together, I refuse to let Rachel touch the blender in her state.

"Hey Phillipa do you have martini glasses" I ask her softly and she looks at me confused.

"These ones" Jay says pulling four off of the side of the bar. Phillipa rolls her eyes at him and Rachel grabs at the glasses excited.

"Thanks Jay" Rachel says to him and once she's steadied the glasses on the side I pour the mixture equally into them.

"Ahh wait" I say before Rach devours hers.

I slice into the remaining strawberries and stick them on the rim on the glasses. She chuckles telling me I'm posh and I argue telling her I just like to do things right. Munching into the strawberry she then takes a sip.

"Mmm rum" she laughs and I chuckle.

"Rum indeed" I laugh and she collapses into laughter again dancing around the kitchen with Phillipa. I sip my own glass and smile slightly remembering my mother and how she would appreciate a nicely made cocktail. Placing it on the countertop, I dissemble the blender and wash it out.