The bartender, Julia, slides us two coasters and takes our order. Julia’s married to the guy who owns the law firm I use for all my contracts. That’s Clay Nichols. He runs the shop, and is pretty much Manhattan’s most fearless entertainment lawyer. His cousin Tyler joined him recently. Tyler’s a beast, too, and handles the day-to-day for me. He’s absolutely the guy I want having to deal with Gino. Julia pours me an Imperial Stout and then mixes the drink Harper ordered, which is made with tequila and lemon soda. “And one Long-Distance Lover for your friend, coming right up,” she says with a wink to us both, as I give her my credit card. Julia shakes her head, sliding the plastic back to me. “Your money’s no good here, handsome.” “Please. I insist,” I say, trying again. She stares me down. “As if you can pull the whole I insist act with me.
