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I deflated in my chair. “I’m so sorry,” I said, reaching up to cover my face with my hands. “Ugh! I’m the worst.”
He laughed, his expression light, like he didn’t have a care in the world. “Hardin, it’s fine. This was a first-date.” He lifted his shoulder in a shrug. “There was a fifty-fifty chance it would work out. You aren’t the worst. Your head’s just not in it. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“But you’resucha great guy.”
He faked a pensive look for a second. “I can’t argue with you on that. It’s the god’s honesty truth.”
I shot him a look that had both of us laughing. “I really did have a good time tonight.”
His smile was tender and kind. “So did I, sweetheart. And seeing as I’m new to the area, it doesn’t hurt to have a new friend who can guide me around.”
I picked up my wineglass and held it in a cheers motion. “I’d really like that.”
He clinked his glass with mine. “Me too.”
We decided to call it a night shortly after. Despite my arguing to cover my half of the check, he paid the whole thing and waited with me while the valet ran to get my car.
“I’m sorry again,” I said as I looked at his rugged profile. “I wanted this to be a good date, but I tanked it.”
He looked down at me affectionately, taking my hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You didn’t tank anything. Itwasa good date, as far as I’m concerned. The food was great and the company was even better. I got to spend my evening sitting across from a beautiful, intelligent woman. I’d call that a win.”
My lips stretched into a smile. “You’re right. It was fun.”
“See? And look at that, you’ve officially reentered the dating pool.”
My car pulled up, and he placed a kiss on my cheek, waiting while I climbed behind the wheel before giving me a wave as I headed off.
I started toward home, but when I stopped at a red light, the sign at the intersection caught my attention. If I went straight, it would take me to Grapevine, but if I turned left, I’d be in Hope Valley, a town less than an hour from home that had a badass bar called the Tap Room.
It was my first night out in forever. Hazel was with her dad, so I had hours to kill. My hair and makeup looked good, and my outfit deserved to be shown off. I was still young, damn it. There was no reason why I shouldn’t go out and live it the hell up.
The light flashed from red to green, and I quickly decided. Flipping on my blinker, I turned left, determined to make the most of this night.
13
HARDIN
The bar was packed by the time I arrived; finding a parking spot was difficult. The only one I’d been able to see was near the very back of the lot, tucked beneath some trees. It wasn’t an ideal place for a single woman alone to park, but it would have to do.
I stepped into the crowded bar, the music from the juke box loud enough to be heard over the din of chatter coming from all directions. I’d been here a couple of times with some of the ladies from Whiskey Dolls. A few of them lived in Hope Valley and were tight with the owner, and I’d always enjoyed the vibe. It was both rowdy and laid back at the same time, something I wouldn’t have thought possible until I visited the Tap Room for the first time.
I managed to squeeze myself between the throngs of people to the bar, and was fortunate enough to find a vacant stool. I recognized the bartender as the owner, Rory Paulson, just as she stopped in front of me and deposited a cardboard coaster onto the bar top right in front of me. Her navy tee read “Tap That” in big white letters. “Evening,” she greeted with a grin. “What can I get you?”
I scanned the wall of taps behind her, settling on a new season craft beer they’d just tapped for the start of spring.
A voice spoke as soon as I ordered. “Put it on my tab,” the familiar deep rumble making my back shoot straight as goosebumps spread across my arms and legs.
“You got it.” Rory knocked her knuckles against the bar before moving off to pull my beer, and I turned to face Ford.
My brain short-circuited at the sight of him. I wasn’t prepared for a run-in with my current crush and the man I’d avoided for days, so all I could think to say was, “Hi.”
The stools on either side of me were taken, but that didn’t stop him from moving in close and wedging himself between mine and the one to my right, twisting so his back was to the woman sitting there. He grinned, the sight doing crazy things to my insides. “Hi back. This is a pleasant surprise.” His eyes traveled down my length, starting from my wavy hair all the way to the strappy shoes on my feet.
His perusal set my blood on fire, and I had to squeeze my crossed legs together against the throb centered between my thighs. “Damn, Hardin. You look incredible,” he said in a husky tone that made my nipples pebble.
Rory placed my beer on the coaster before moving down the bar to take care of other customers. I lifted the pint glass to my lips and took a drink, the crispness of the hops balanced perfectly with something citrusy, making the beer bright and delicious. “Thanks,” I managed to get out past my suddenly parched throat. “Um, w-what are you doing here?”
His eyes locked on mine, that crystal clear ocean blue I wanted to dive into and get lost in. “I think the more pressing question is what are youdoing here? Thought you had a date tonight.”
