So I step in and do it for her.
“No. Now drop it.”
My word is firm. Final. Odette doesn’t bring it up again.
And Summer doesn’t look my way the rest of the day.
For the first time in I don’t even know how long, I’m sitting in my office, staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until the cidery is closed.
Until I can talk to Summer without the extra eyes and ears.
Until I can figure out why she’s been avoiding me all day.
I told myself it’s because she was uncomfortable with Odette teasing her about us going to the wedding together, but I’m beginning to wonder if I said something wrong. Even after they left, she didn’t want to be around me. Every time I tried to catch her eye, she would turn away. And when I did try to talk to her, she’d hurry out of the room and put Warner between us.
He hasn’t been flirting with her lately, and I’m grateful for it. It’s not that I think Summer would flirt back at this point—though we haven’t talked about us being exclusive—but because I’m not quite sure I would trust myself not to pummel the guy if I had to witness it.
Twenty minutes until we’re closed, and I’m not even close to getting what I need done tonight.
I try to force myself to focus, but just five minutes later, I’m back to glancing at the clock. I toss my pen down and go in search of Summer.
There are still a few people straggling behind. A family of four is in the arcade, which has been bringing in a lot of new customers, and Micah is closing out his tab now.
“Hey, Ezra,” he says when he spots me. “Been hiding in your office all night again?”
“Someone has to do all the hard work around here,” I tease, shaking his hand. “How are you doing?”
“Good. Can’t complain. Hey, Summer here was just telling me about the kitchen remodel and the new menu.”
I glance at her, and though it looks like she’s not paying us any attention, I can tell by how her body is canted toward us just slightly that she’s hanging on to every word.
“Yep. We figured it was time to expand a bit.”
“Well, I have to say, I’m mighty glad about that. No offense, but your current offerings leave a lot to be desired. Can’t tell you the number of times I’ve stopped by Hank’s for grub, then come out here for a drink.”
I hold back my wince. “I appreciate the honest feedback, Micah.”
“Of course. I always shoot straight with you, which is why I can’t wait to try the brussels sprouts. Summer was telling me about those too.”
I dart my eyes to Summer again. She’s still pretending not to be listening in. “She’s doing the whole menu for us. Used to be a chef in Chicago.”
“Oh, kid.” He laughs heartily. “She was a chef long before that. She used to make food with her momma, and let me tell you, every potluck this town had? Their dish was the first one gone. You’d have to get there at least a half hour early if you wanted even just a nibble.”
She used to cook with her mom? Is that why she loves it so much?
“Man, I miss Rebecca.”
Since I’m still looking at her, I don’t miss how Summer’s shoulders sink at the mention of her mother. It’s the same thing they did when Odette brought her up.
She misses her, and I’m sure being back in her old hometown is bringing up all sorts of memories of her. No wonder she escaped to Chicago. I would have done the same thing.
“I’m sure she was a lovely woman, and that she’d be proud as hell of what her daughter is doing for Stick Taps.”
For the first time since this morning, Summer looks at me.
And fuck me, she’s gorgeous. She’s always pretty, but there’s something about the way she’s staring at me right now that makes me wish we were alone.
“Excuse me, did you pay already?”
