Page 18 of Love Is Ale You Need

“I was hoping it wouldn’t be today,” I mumble and rise to my feet. “Can I order a round of beers?” Change sucks. I hate change. Things were going just fine. Everyone was happy and single, or so I thought. Wordlessly, Rylee pours the beers and sets them on a tray for me. Maybe she’s right. These guys have been with me for years. Every Christmas I get a card from Miles’ parents and how do I know it’s from them? Because it’s signed Miles’ Mom and Dad.

When I return to the backroom, I set the tray of beers on the table and pass them out. “Take her to The Boat House. Be sure to call to make reservations. They’ll probably tell you they’re all booked, but tell them you want the Trey Wilson special. They’ll hook you up.”

Miles beams up at me. “Really? Thanks. I really appreciate it.” He pulls out his phone and types out a note to himself.

I give him a curt nod. Clearly, a date with this woman would make him happy, so I’ll be happy for him. Once I’m behind the makeshift podium again, I take a swig of my beer, working up the courage to ask the next question. After swallowing, I set my glass down. “Anyone else have dating problems they need solved?” My gaze flits to each and every guy, they all shake their heads, and we continue with the rest of the meeting.

* * *

A squeak fills the room as I hit the hammer on the table. “Thanks for another great meeting. Next week, same time, same place.” Everyone stands, but Owen stops and turns toward me.

“Are they still remodeling? That’s like three weeks now. I thought you were just putting in some new flooring and a bar?”

“Uh. Yeah.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “They ran into a few snags, so it’s taking longer than usual.”

“That sucks. Well, I can’t wait to see it.” Owen throws his hand up in a wave as he strolls toward the exit. Tim and Darren are close behind him.

Miles lingers off to the side until everyone is out of sight. In a few steps, he’s joining me at the pub table, hands shoved in the pockets of his khakis. “I know tonight got a little off topic, but I really appreciate The Boat House recommendation. She’ll really like that place.”

“Don’t worry about it. I hope the date goes well.” I nod and give him a tight smile.

“Thanks again.” He turns around and strolls away.

Fuck. I’m going to regret this. Before he’s out of earshot, I yell, “You’ll have to tell us how it goes.” He’ll be bursting to talk about it along with everyone else.

Embrace change.

He glances over his shoulder, a small smile covers his mouth and he nods, before meandering through the crowd until he reaches the exit.

Since the night’s still young and Rylee’s still here, I finish moving the tables to their original spots and make my way to the bar. Luckily, as I approach, a man and woman vacate their stools, and I score a spot at the end of the bar. Within seconds our gazes connect and a small smile graces her lips. Even though the evening started out like shit, her smile shoves all that away.

I’m out of my element with her. She’s constantly on my mind and all I want to do is be around her. Truth be told, I want another round of our night in the parking lot, but she clearly said it was only one time. Call me an asshole, but women don't turn me down so this is uncharted territory, and they never gave me a map. But if life has taught me anything it’s that sometimes you need to make your own map.

Rylee stops in front of me. “Beer?”

I wave my hand. “Nah. Two beer limit during the week.”

“That’s commendable.”

“I try.”

A smile flirts on her lips as she fills a glass full of water, tosses a slice of lemon in it, and slides it my way. “You seem like a lemon kind of guy.”

“I do appreciate the refreshing taste.” She flashes me another one of her dazzling smiles. So, I shoot my shot again. “Have dinner with me.”

“I thought you don’t date.”

“Relationships. I don’t do relationships. It’s totally different from a date. Plus, it’s only dinner.”

“I don’t think so.” She pulls the lever down, filling a pint glass.

“So, you don’t eat?”

A laugh springs out of her as she passes the glass to a customer two seats down from me. “I eat.” Her hand rests on her hip. “But dinner sounds too… datish and I don’t date friends.”

“It would be a friendly meal shared between friends.”

Nora saunters behind her and fake coughs into her fist. “Just do it.”

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