Page 6 of Love Is Ale You Need

Jake grabs a pint glass and pours me a beer while I work up the courage to ask if Rylee’s working. Honestly, I’ve never had a girl consume my thoughts like this before. It’s a little unnerving, actually.

When Jake passes me the full glass, I immediately grab it and take a gulp. The icy liquid hits my throat and for a brief second, it gives me something else to think about. Too bad it doesn’t last long. Jake twists around and it’s now or never.

“Is Rylee working tonight?” I spit out as casually as I can.

“It’s her night off.” Jake’s gaze lifts to mine, eyebrow raised. “Why?”

Shit. Abort. Abort.

“No reason.” I swallow another big gulp of my beer to buy myself a few seconds to recover and to think of a change of subject. “Can I use the backroom again next week? For another SBL meeting.”

He eyes me warily, jaw clenching before answering, “Fine. But if you use another gavel in my bar…”

“Heard loud and clear. Speaking of which, can I have that back?”

“No,” Jake says matter-of-factly. Then he’s shuffling down the bar to serve drinks for other waiting patrons.

Alright. Thursday. Only three more days. I can wait. I pull out my phone and send a group text to the other SBL members.

Trey

Meeting is at Porter’s again. Same time. Tim, you better show up this time.

Darren

Cool. I really want to try those mini beer-battered corn dogs. At the last meeting on our way out, I saw a table with those. They smelled delicious.

Owen

Yes! I heard they make their own honey mustard dipping sauce.

Darren

Only ketchup for me.

Trey

Guys…

Miles

What’s really good is dipping them in just a little bit of honey. No Mustard. Just honey.

Tim

Were those the things on a stick? I’ve seen them there. Those looked good.

Trey

Enough about the corn dogs.

Darren

I think those were the Tot Kabobs. No stick is required for the corn dogs.

Tim

You know what I really want to try, the Italian nachos. Instead of salsa, you dip them in marinara. Whoever thought of that… Genius.

---