Killian shook the cocktail shaker. He then unscrewed the lid and poured the drink into the waiting martini glass.
He slid it across the bar and smiled. "One pumpkin spice martini. Hope you enjoy it, love."
Ashley returned his smile. "Well, you - and Emma - are the only ones who can make a worthwhile pumpkin cocktail."
She took a sip as he let out a laugh. He then tilted his head.
"I must confess I didn't expect to see you tonight."
She placed her glass on the counter and shrugged. "Thomas and I talked after I ran into you and realized we did actually need a date night. And lucky for us, my stepsister and her husband were happy to babysit."
Killian's gaze drifted toward Emma as she slid in beside him to grab a few glasses. He then grinned.
"Would you mind telling Emma that? She doesn't think I have any good ideas."
The blonde in question popped back up from underneath the bar. She smacked his arm.
"Would you leave me alone? Leroy and his brothers just ordered another round."
Killian's grin only grew. "If you're that distracted by me, you can just say so. No need to use the miners as an excuse."
She rolled her eyes and shook her head - and yet, her cheeks flushed. She then took a breath before she placed the glasses under the beer taps.
Killian grabbed a couple glasses and slid them under the remaining taps. He nudged her shoulder.
"We really do make quite the team, eh, Swan?"
She chuckled. "Pouring beer isn't exactly rocket science."
"Perhaps - but it doesn't make it any less true."
When he placed the glasses on the tray, Thomas slid back in next to Ashley.
He offered a smile. "With any luck, the jukebox will be playing our song in a few minutes."
She smiled and pecked his cheek. He then turned his attention to Killian, who placed a glass in front of him.
"One scotch on the rocks."
Thomas couldn't help but smile. "Is there anyone's drink order you don't know?"
"Well, mate, it is my job."
The pair laughed at that before Killian resumed helping Emma. He filled the last glass and placed it on the tray.
She hoisted it up on her shoulder before she headed off to the back table. Killian called out, "Don't forget to ID them, love."
Ashley shook her head. "One of these days, she might actually kill you, Killian."
He waved his hand. "She knows I'm only joking. At her expense, but a joke nonetheless."
Thomas sipped on his drink before he added, "She's always laughing when we see her, so she must not mind too much."
Killian resisted the urge to scratch behind his ear when the music slowed down.
Ashley smiled as Thomas took her hand in his. The pair slid off the barstools and made their way out onto the dance floor.
She called out over her shoulder, "You and Emma should join us if you can get the chance."
His reply - and thought process - cut short when a group of giggling girls came through the door.
Killian pinched the bridge of his nose as Emma sidled up next to him.
"Looks like your next customers, Killian."
He sighed. "Why do I always get the girls who are barely old enough to step foot in here?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
He raked his hands through his hair. When he looked back at the girls, he couldn't help but grin.
And when he turned to look back at Emma, she crossed her arms over her chest. "No."
"You don't even know what I was gonna say."
"I know that look - and the answer is no."
He took her hands in his. "Please, Swan?"
She turned away from him and busied herself with cleaning glasses.
"No, Killian, I'm not pretending to be your girlfriend just so those girls won't hit on you."
Before he could protest, the girls plopped down on the barstools - and waved him over.
He gave Emma one last pleading look - one she ignored as she continued to clean.
Killian then put on a smile and walked over to the girls.
"Good evening, ladies. What can I get you?"
All four giggled. One of them then answered, "What would you suggest for a girl on her 21st birthday?"
"Well first off, happy birthday, love - and second, allow me to suggest something with very little alcohol. You'll need to pace yourself."
She nodded. She then tapped her finger against her chin.
"Maybe a strawberry daiquiri?"
"Coming right up. Let me just check your ID."
She opened her purse and slid out her license. Killian studied it before he gave it back to her.
"And for the rest of you ladies? Shall I make more daiquiris?"
They giggled before they all nodded. They then fished out their IDs and passed them to Killian. He studied them before he passed them back.
"Four daiquiris coming right up, ladies."
He left them giggling once more as he shuffled over to the liquor shelf. He grabbed a bottle of rum.
He then glanced over at Emma, who still cleaned a few glasses. He sidled up next to her.
"You owe me for this."
She cleared her throat. She then took a deep breath and told him, "It's not as bad as all that. They're just young - you remember that, don't you?"
"Of course I bloody well do - but I should hate to think I was so ridiculous."
Emma only chuckled as he prepared the drinks. Robin then strolled over and tilted his head. He then crossed his arms over his chest.
"I don't want to tell you how to do your job, mate, but those daiquiris need a sight more alcohol."
"Those girls are barely 21 - they need to take it easy."
"Ah. You do make a good point."
He then grinned. "Trust you for looking out for them - no wonder they like you so much."
Emma laughed while Killian rolled his eyes. Robin's phone then rang.
"I have to take this. Emma, would you make another pitcher of margaritas for the table in the back?"
She offered a nod before he stepped away. When she grabbed all the ingredients, she saw Killian run his fingers through his dark hair.
She smiled and shook her head. She then joined him and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"Tell you what, why don't I deliver those drinks while you mix up this pitcher."
He couldn't help but grin. "Or - you could still pretend to be my girlfriend, and the whole problem goes away."
He leaned in close and played with her hair. She glanced down to hide her blush.
"Oh, Killian, if only you knew."
She then shook her head and locked eyes with him. "If that's the case, you're on your own."
"It seems I am." He then placed the drinks on a tray. Emma tilted her head.
"You know, as I recall, you flirted with every woman that walked in here."
"Perhaps I did - but those girls are far too young. Even if they weren't, they're not my type."
"Oh, you have a type now? Care to share?"
He resisted the urge to scratch behind his ear. A grin then spread over his face.
"Oh, you know - blonde. Dreadfully stubborn. Addicted to hot chocolate."
He shot her wink before he propped up the tray on his shoulder and returned to the girls.
Emma sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. And then rubbed her arms to cover the goosebumps.
"That man will be the death of me."
"You okay, Emma?"
She jumped. She then took a deep breath and calmed her nerves.
"Oh, Ashley, of course. It's just a little busy in here."
She then nodded toward their drinks. "Just let me know when you guys finish those, and I'll be happy to make another round."
"Actually, this will probably be our only round," Thomas began, "We do still have to get home to Alexandra - and get up for work tomorrow."
Ashley hummed. "Yep - but we're still trying to think of something to do after. We haven't quite narrowed it down."
"How about a walk on the beach? It's calm and peaceful - and you might could still catch the sunset. It's my favorite place to go with…"
She bit her lip as her eyes widened. She then took a deep breath and covered.
"It's my favorite place to go without fail. Especially after those super busy weekend shifts."
She then offered a smile before she turned to grab the cocktail shaker. They eyed her before they sipped on their drinks and started talking.
Emma found herself humming as she worked. She mixed more and more drinks in the shaker until the pitcher was full.
She then grabbed the handle and shuffled over to a table near the back. She smiled as she put down the pitcher.
"Here you go, guys. Let one of us know if you need anything else."
One of them piped up: "Actually, we were hoping to play some darts. Would that be okay?"
"Sure thing. All the darts are just hanging on the wall. Help yourselves."
The customer nodded before he and his friends fixed a round of drinks and then headed to the dartboard.
Emma shoved her hands in her pockets as she strolled back over and hopped on a barstool. She propped her elbows on the counter and leaned back against it.
Goosebumps arose on her skin when Killian leaned down beside her, his hand brushing against hers.
"Shall I get you a drink, Swan?"
She took a breath before she spun around and faced him.
"A drink? We're in the middle of a shift."
He shrugged. "I just thought we'd have a bit of fun." He then nudged her shoulder with his. "How about a game of darts instead?"
"Someone's already playing," she began. She then nudged his shoulder back and continued, "And need I remind you - again - that we're working."
"I'm quite sure Robin wouldn't mind since we've no more customers than this - and as long as we keep a check on them in the midst of our game."
Emma eyed him - those damn baby blues got to her every time. She let out a sigh.
"Fine. But did you at least ask Robin?"
"Ask me what?" the man himself piped in as he returned from his office.
"About playing darts?" Emma questioned, her arms crossed over her chest.
He glanced over at the dartboard and tilted his head. "As long as our customers have first crack - and you don't neglect them - I see no issue."
He then grinned, "Which is exactly what I told Killian when he asked only moments after I finished my call."
He then dipped back behind the counter while Killian grinned from ear to ear.
Emma smacked him in the arm. "You won't be so smug when I beat you. You suck at darts."
He placed his hand over his heart. "You wound me, Swan."
She rolled her eyes while he chuckled. He then offered, "And we shall just see who's better."
Before she could reply, one of the customers approached the bar. She gestured toward the dartboard.
"So, we've put everything back - and we just left our drinks and pitcher on the table if that's alright."
"Aye. We'll get it, love."
Emma then tilted her head. "You guys are heading out already? Everything okay?"
The customer waved her hand. "Oh, of course! It's just, uh, been a while since we've been out."
She then laughed. "We probably didn't need another round of margaritas."
Emma - and Killian - laughed as well. He then nudged her shoulder and teased, "Maybe Swan won't make them quite so strong next time."
She rolled her eyes while their customer chuckled. She then waved them off before she rejoined her friends and left the bar.
Killian then turned back to Emma and played with the ends of her hair once more. "Ready for our game, love?"
She stepped back on the heel of her sneakers and rubbed her arms. "Well, we should, you know, probably do our jobs first and clean that table."
"I'd be happy to do it. You two enjoy your game."
Robin then offered them a smile before he grabbed the gray dish bin from underneath the counter.
Killian then cast a grin toward Emma. "Alright, love, no more excuses. Let's play darts, shall we?"
She couldn't help but smile as she told him, "Alright. You're on, Jones."