I glance up just as Alex waves off Ryder’s comment with an easy grin. “I’ll be with you in one second, sweetheart,” he says with a wink before turning back to the drinks he’s mixing.
I feel Ben step a little closer, his voice low near my ear. “Does he always talk to you like that?”
I glance up at him. “Only when my brother’s not around. He’s always been that way.”
Ben raises an eyebrow. “And you’re not interested?”
I shake my head with a small smile. “Not at all. But he never seems to take the hint.”
I can’t help but wonder if it bothers Ben that Alex is like that with me. He’s always had a flirty streak; it’s just his way, but Ben’s jaw seems a little tighter than when we arrived.
Before I can figure it out, Alex appears in front of us, his eyes flicking between me and Ben.
“What can I get you both?” he asks.
“I’ll have a red wine,” I tell him, then glance over at Ben with a grin. “Perks of walking to work.”
He chuckles. “Definitely a good call.”
“And for you?” Alex asks, turning to Ben.
“Diet Coke,” Ben replies, his tone clipped.
“Coming right up,” Alex says cheerfully, clearly missing the tension Ben’s throwing his way. I pretend not to notice it either. Maybe I’m reading too much into things.
Once we have our drinks, we find a booth tucked away from the bar. I take a sip of wine and slide the glass onto the table as Ben moves to face me.
“So, did I talk you into signing up for more cooking classes?” he asks.
“I’m on the waiting list,” I say with a shrug. “Hopefully someone drops out.”
“I hope so too,” he says quietly. “I really enjoyed that night, Ash.”
I smile, warmth erupting in my chest. “Me too.”
I pick up my wine and take another sip, a grin tugging at my lips.
“So, aside from your new passion for cooking,” I begin, “what else do you get up to outside of work?”
Ben smiles. “Well, if we’re ignoring the torture that is running,” he says, giving me a playful wink, “then the usual stuff. Movies, the gym, spending time with family. Moving to River Falls kind of killed my social life. Not that I was out every night in Phoenix, but I had a solid group of friends.”
“You’ve got friends here,” I tell him, nudging his arm. “Everyone on staff loves you.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Do they?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, Ben. You’re a great boss. People notice that stuff.”
His smile softens. “Thanks.”
I shrug like it’s obvious. “Just calling it like I see it.”
He leans back a little, looking at me. “What about you? What do you do outside of work?”
“Pretty similar, minus the running,” I say with a laugh. “I’m all about a night out and dancing. That’s more me.”
“So, you come here a lot?” he asks.
“Yep! Perks of being related to the owner. Free drinks on tap,” I say with a grin. “Of course, that comes with four overprotective brothers, but this is the best bar in town, so I mostly just tune them out.” I wink, and he chuckles.
