Page 57 of Feel It in the Air

15

GUS

“A Sob Story for me and a…”

I pause, peering out the open garage-style door of the warehouse-like space toward the picnic shelters. The new space is crowded, filled with people milling about for Drafts and Dig in, but that doesn’t stop me from zeroing in on my target. I’d know that beautiful crown of red hair anywhere. Question is, what’s she drinking tonight? I go with my gut, figuring I can’t go wrong with what we drank the last time we were here. But Brandt cuts me off.

“Silver Lining,” he says, sliding a pint glass toward me. “Your girl’s drinking Silver Lining tonight.”

Good to know I was right…

“Thanks.”

He slides a second glass my way, nodding once before turning to the person next to me, leaving me to get on with it. Thankfully.

The day already didn’t go as planned. What started out as a quick “do you have a second, this doesn’t look right” email from the head of accounting to Willa and me turned into an all-afternoon rabbit hole of numbers and invoices. Hell, we probably could have gone all night if Nash hadn’t called wondering where Willa had gotten to.

Needless to say, that derailed all carpooling plans I’d had. And while maybe it’s for the best that Margeaux arrived with one of the girls for looks’ sake, it’s time I wanted with her. Selfish of me? Yes. But I wanted to pick her up at her door, walk to the car, open the car door…all those “date” things. Even if we are going to deny that it’s a date if anyone asks. We know the truth, and I wanted those moments. For us.

At least she saved me a spot next to her at the picnic table.

“This seat taken?” I ask, placing the beers on the table and lifting one leg over the bench seat to sit next to her. The cool November air surrounds us, the last of the setting sun reflecting off the windows of the brewhouse.

My insides swell with excitement, as Margeaux turns to me, her bright smile in place, leveling me. Fuck, I don’t know that I will ever get used to that.

“Depends.”

Depends…

We’ve got our routine down pat, but this time, I’ve got the perfect answer locked and loaded.

“Well, I don’t have anything to sell, no plans to ask you about your relationship with the Lord and Savior, and I still know better than to mansplain.”

Margeaux’s smile kicks up a notch, and I swear the electricity in the air surges. The Edison bulbs strung under the picnic shelter flicker, and there’s no way it’s a coincidence.

It’s in the air…

“And hitting on me?”

“Can’t make any promises there.”

Margeaux scoots closer to me, leaning in, placing one hand in between my legs that are straddling the bench. My pulse quickens, and I inhale deeply, getting a whiff of her sweet scent. I have no idea what it is, something that is so uniquely her, but I can’t get enough of it. And I can’t wait for the day that it’s all over my bedsheets.

“Good.”

I laugh, the urge to steal a kiss overwhelming. I have no idea who is around us though. The whole place is packed which, from a business perspective, is great. I’m thrilled for Milo and Brandt that Pour Decisions—and Drafts and Dig In—is doing this well. I know they debated about adding this outdoor area for a long time, and it’s paying off.

However, right now, for me, so much of Hickory Hills getting in on this is putting a cramp in my style. This whole sneaking around thing is getting old.

Placing my hand on the small of her back, I wiggle my fingers, scratching her lightly through her sweater. Margeaux sighs, understanding my silent declaration, the warmth in her eyes saying the same thing back to me.

“Long day?” she asks, quietly enough so the question stays between just us.

I nod, taking a second to see who’s at our table. Rose, Pierce, Emily, and Alice are behind me, chatting away, oblivious to the rest of the group. Dolly’s fiancé, Jeff, is directly across from me, Dolly next to him, and then Hux is on the other side of Margeaux.

So, the gang is all here. At least those I orchestrated to help obscure my date.

“Yeah,” I tell her. “Accounting found some…discrepancies, and…”