Page 78 of Tennessee Trouble

“Yeah, they changed their flight back from Napa to Nashville instead of Knoxville so they could come.”

Brandt nods, keeping his eyes glued to the road. “Maybe I’ll actually get a chance to get to know Bonnie and Rick a little better then.”

I smile, my insides twirling at how easily he says their names. “They were sad that they didn’t get more time with you at the Spring Fling. That’s not the best of events to really spend chatting with them. The four of us might have taken over, but Bonnie and Rick are still who everyone associates the brand with.”

“After you win this weekend, it’ll be you.”

“Ha!”

“I mean it.”

I twist in my seat, trying to face him. “Brandt, I wanna win. I know that’s the kind of thing one shouldn’t say out loud. But I do. I want it. Because if I win…then maybe I have a chance of people taking me seriously.”

“Lindee, regardless of what happens this weekend, you have proven yourself. Wink & Shine is enough to prove that.”

“But—”

“Not buts.”

His voice is hard, serious, but still full of a softness that I know is meant for me. He places his hand on my thigh, giving it a squeeze. I expect him to take it back—replace it on the wheel—same as he did a second ago, but he leaves it. Holding on like it’s his prize possession.

“I understand why you feel like that. And I know I added fuel to that fire. I don’t know that I’ll ever forgive myself for that. But you are brilliant. And an absolutely incredible distiller. Your family should be so fucking proud of you. And folks like Jerome and Brenda Cochran should be worshipping the ground you walk on.”

Well…hell…

I don’t know how to respond. Thank you doesn’t seem big enough. The other three words floating around in my head are too big. Especially since I still haven’t worked up the guts to ask him if he sees a future in us.

Maybe I can do that this weekend.

“Thank you,” I whisper, still wishing I had something better. Something with more umph.

Brandt doesn’t reply. He simply squeezes my thigh again, this time in a few rapid, quick successions. Three, to be exact. Just like the three little words pinballing through my brain.

Don’t say it, Lindee…

Before I can change the subject, Brandt slides his hand to my inner thigh and wiggles his little finger. The one that is now pressing right up against the crotch of my pants. I have no idea if that is just a reflex, or a move he’s making on purpose.

Until he does it again.

That was definitely on purpose.

I shift, trying to line myself up with the thick piece of fabric where the seams all meet. If he’s going to try and be a tease, I’m going to take advantage of it.

“Can I help you?”

“Nope.” Brandt pops the p, a smirk tugging at one side of his mouth, his eyes staying straight forward the entire time.

Suuuuure. I buy that as quickly as I’d snap up oceanfront property in Arizona.

I open my mouth, ready to throw back some witty, flirty comment that I haven’t come up with yet, but my phone cuts me off. I look down, ready to silence it so that we can continue our moment, but my older sister’s face on the screen tells me I shouldn’t. I know her, and she’s going to call over and over again until I pick up.

And it’s not like I can tell her I was in the bathroom.

“Hey,” I answer, throwing Brandt a look and mouthing sorry.

He shrugs, like it doesn’t bother him. He doesn’t bother moving his hand either, pinky finger still toying with my jeans.

“Where are you?” Mikayla asks, sounding borderline panicked. The inside of the car must be a lot of fun right now.