“Before you go, can you mark the sangria as low inventory on the site? I don’t want to fill backorders if at all possible.”
“You’ve got it.” I give him a mock salute before rushing out of the warehouse. Can’t take a chance on him changing his mind.
Paula is nowhere to be seen when I walk into Out of the Ashes. She’s here because I saw her car, but I’m glad she’s not at the bar. It’s awesome to be listened to when I voice an opinion.
“She’s at the table in the back corner.” Eric calls from behind the counter. “Don’t think because you’re back there, I won’t find out what’s going on.”
Good gravy. He’s worse than the gossiping old ladies. “You can try.” I grin and head to the back area of the bar.
As soon as I round the corner, I see my sister sitting at a high top with a menu in hand. She doesn’t realize I’m here yet.
“There’s no point in even looking at the thing. You get the same food every time.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder giving her a quick squeeze before sitting across from her.
“You’re one to talk.” She sets the menu on the table and waves Lisa over as soon as she sees her.
We give her our order. Wings and a margarita for me. Grilled chicken salad and a glass of wine for Paula.
“So, you and Beau are finally an item.”
“Where did you hear that?” Thank God she waited for Lisa to walk off. We’ve been spending time together, but we haven’t made a town announcement or anything.
“Girl, it was all over town Sunday morning.” She glances around to make sure Eric isn’t listening in. We both know he likes to dig his fingers into everyone’s problems.
“How does anyone know anything?” I love my small town, but at the same time, it drives me bananas. None of these people can mind their own damned business.
“Did you really think you’d be able to kiss in public and nobody would talk about it?” She shakes her head. “Why do you think I made sure to be seen with Tristan before we went on the family vacation? I needed there to be proof outside of me saying he was my boyfriend.”
“I didn’t think anyone would be watching us under a microscope.” Does Beau know we’re the talk of the town?
“Please, nobody is paying that much attention to you. But when he practically claims you in the middle of a town fair. It’s gonna be the top story.”
She has a point. We should have waited until we got back to his place. It’s not abnormal to see us together. It is to see him with his tongue down my throat. Even if we’re gossip fodder, I don’t regret it one bit. Then the words my sister first said to me hit me.
“Wait, what did you mean by finally?”
Instead of answering, she laughs. Not quietly or politely. No, her hand slaps the table, and I wonder if she’s going to knock it over trying to keep herself in her chair.
“You’re funny.” She points to me as soon as she’s able to calm down. “The two of you have been dancing around each other since you were thirteen. For whatever ridiculous reason everyone could see it, except both of you.”
“I didn’t think anyone could tell I had a crush on him. He never noticed.”
“That’s because you have four brothers and had no idea how to flirt that didn’t involve punching.” She shakes her head and tightens her ponytail. “Honestly, I probably should have stepped in when I realized you liked him as more than a friend.”
“Eh, it was better that we figured it out on our own time. Though, I kind of feel bad for telling him about all my failed dates now.”
Paula is shaking her head. “No, don’t apologize for that. He didn’t clue you in on how it made him feel so you didn’t know.” Lisa sets our drinks in front of us and then heads back to the kitchen. “Now, how did you make the first move?”
“I actually didn’t.” My cheeks burn relaying how everything went down. This is nice. Being able to talk to my sister about something good that doesn’t involve bitching about our siblings is exactly what I needed today.
eighteen
. . .
beau
“Beau,can you meet me in my office?” Mr. Gardner says as he walks past me. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. I can only assume he wants to talk to me about the progress on my marketing project with Piper.
Slowly I roll my chair back and stand. I don’t miss the way Cole is staring at me. Maybe he thinks I’m in trouble. I could be. Who knows? There’s only one way to find out.
