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Charlie turned to Devlin. “He needs to pitch to the city pubs, not ones like ours in the middle of nowhere,” he said before turning and walking out.
I stared after him. He’d made my argument without me saying a single word.
6
Charlie
Charlie’s Words To Live By:
Even when a tangled-up snake says he’s straight, take him at his word.
I let Devlin natter on while I waited outside the door for Hudson.
He was a bit prim and uptight in a way. Buttoned-up and tidy with a noticeable desire for things in their place. I didn’t usually go for blokes like that. I preferred messy and free, the sort of man who didn’t mind a bit of fuss and spontaneity. But there was something inherently attractive about a man who loved his family and animals and someone who wasn’t afraid to tinker around with things to learn how they work and improve upon a process.
Watching him muddle his way through the pouring demonstration had been painful. Clearly, he wasn’t comfortable being the center of attention when he didn’t have all the answers. It was refreshing to see a business man who didn’t pretend to have all the answers, and I realized I wanted to learn more about him.
As the two of them made their way out of the building, Dev was still chuckling at the American for his tap device.
“You laugh now,” I warned, “But that man’s going to go home, apply for the patent, and be a millionaire this time next year. He’s sitting on a gold mine with that little ring.”
Hudson’s eyes widened in surprise and his ears turned red. “It’s just something I came up with to impress my boss. He’s a beer lover.”
I could tell he wasn’t interested in talking about it any further, so we wrapped things up with Dev and headed back toward the main building. While we walked, I decided to ask him how he knew Cait.
He looked confused. “I don’t know her. You were there when I met her last night. At the bar.”
Now it was my turn to be confused. “Then how did she convince you to come see me while you were here on business?”
Hudson rubbed both hands over his face and squinted at me. “I think maybe you were right about my not being fine in the head. I really don’t understand what we’re talking about right now, Charlie.”
“My sister sent you into the pub last night to hook up with me.”
Hudson’s eyes bugged. “What? No she didn’t. No. No, she did not. I’m… I… I don’t sleep with men.”
That took me completely off guard. He wasn’t gay? But the man was clearly attracted to me. In addition to the things he’d said the night before, he’d even gotten hard earlier on our walk; I was sure of it. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Bullshit.”
“No, I swear. I never met your sister before last night.”
“I mean bullshit you don’t sleep with men,” I clarified. “As for Cait, how did you know my name if she didn’t send you?”
“You were wearing a name tag, Charlie,” he replied. “Why in the world would your sister send someone to sleep with you? Is that an Irish custom or something?”
I heard a gasp from over my shoulder and turned to see a couple of locals wandering up the path.
“Mr. and Mrs. Driscoll, ta,” I greeted lamely. The elderly couple scowled at me. They’d never been my biggest fans anyway.
Once they’d moved past us into the building, I turned back to Hudson and bit out, “Long story, but no, it’s not an Irish custom.”
He held up his hands in defense. “Fine. No need to hiss at me. What do I know about how things are done here?”
I let out a breath. “I wasn’t hissing. But as the resident gay man around here, I’m already persona non grata with the older folk in town. No need to add my sister pimping me out to the list of Charlie’s kinks, yeah?”
Hudson lifted an eyebrow, and… was that a smirk? “What else is on the list?”
I replayed my previous statement to figure out what list he was referring to. Once I realized what he was asking, I snorted. “Ask me again when you’re naked, Hudson, and I’ll be happy to clue you in. But considering you said you don’t sleep with men, I’m guessing you’re just asking to be polite anyway.”
The flush returned to his neck and ears as he looked away. I couldn’t help but reach out and take hold of his elbow. His skin was warm under the button-up shirt he wore, and it reminded me of how cool the morning air was.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” I said softly. “That was inappropriate and sarcastic. You’re here for work. Not only that, but your sexuality is none of my business.”
