Page 11 of The Summer Dare
I’d rather diversify my experience, especially if I want to expand my horizons by going into larger commercial projects, but my dad trusts my work and this is a reputable company in this business. He’d have my ass if I pulled the shit Don’s son did.
Pulling into Pop’s Hops, my favorite bar, my stomach growls. I spent the better part of the day fixing Lanie’s sink. To make up for some lost time, I’ve worked a few hours later than usual, and it’s now after six. I’m looking forward to one of Pop’s famous steak dinners and an ice-cold microbrew to unwind from the day.
It takes a few minutes for my eyes to adjust from the brightness of the day as I enter, but I hear a woman’s voice holler over the soft music in the background. “Welcome to Pop’s. You’re welcome to seat yourself and I’ll be right with you.”
I swear that voice sounds familiar, but then again, Seaside’s only so big. Like my errands today, when you grow up around here, you’re bound to run into people you know. Slipping into the restroom down a back hall, I take a minute to wash my hands and clean up. There’s no way in hell, I want the grime of the day sticking with my meal.
After the sink fiasco this morning, I’d changed into another pair of jeans and one of my older CRU t-shirts—but I’d hate to ruin it completely. I’d gotten it long before I was even accepted to Columbia River—in hopes of getting into my dreamuniversity. The moment I heard about their construction-management program, I had been hooked.
Walking back into the bar, I slide into a small booth for two. This way I won’t take a bigger table for tourists. I also know it’s out of the way—I’ve had more than my share of small talk for the day, and I don’t need to be recognized by any more old-time locals. Like me, most of my friends are long gone from Seaside. We didn’t waste any time getting out to spread our wings, as my dad would say. Unless you love tourism or run a family business, there’s not a lot of employment opportunities that hold long-term potential—so most of us left and only return to visit family.
Once seated, I take a moment to lean back and stretch my legs out.Fuck, it’s been one hell of a day.Closing my eyes, I rest my head against the wall behind me to recharge. Hopefully, Jared returns tomorrow and we can kick ass to get caught up. If not, I may need to pull someone from Dad’s crew because I’m running out of things I can do on my own with the siding. Sooner or later, I need help on that second level.
“Thanks for waiting,” startles me out of my musing over the job site. “I’m Lanie. Can I get you anything to drink while you look over the menu?”
Of all the places I could’ve walked into.
Just hearing her familiar voice brings a smile to my lips. Suddenly my exhaustion from the day disappears and I sit forward to greet her.
“Well, fancy meeting you here,” I muse.
God, she looks even more beautiful than I remember. Her makeup is minimal, but that doesn’t mean I don’t take notice.Her expressive eyes are lined making them pop and her lashes look longer. Her hair is pulled into one of her adorable messy buns and she’s wearing a black tank that has Pop’s Hops written in bright yellow script across her chest. I’ve seen the logo countless times, but I’m certain no one wears it better than her.
The tank is tucked into a pair of black Capri jeans and the silver from her belt buckle peeks out at the center of her waist. Her lips curve into a lopsided grin when she says, “Shouldn’t I be saying that? I’m the one who works here.” Lifting a pad from her apron, she asks, “Need a menu, or do you already know what you want?”
Glancing at the specialties on the sign above the left side of the bar, I quickly say, “I’ll take a pint of the Puckering Pear and a steak, medium, with a baked potato and steamed broccoli.”
“Want the works on the potato?”
Nodding, she writes something on the pad. “I hear the Puckering Pear is new this year from Bed Knobs and Brews in Colorado. Is it any good?”
Raising a brow, I tease, “You work here and haven’t tasted it?”
“Well, it is my first day,” she points out. “It’s not like I can drink on the job or anything.”
“Point taken.” I shrug. “You’ll have to try it one day. It’s incredible.”
“For now, I’ll take your word for it.” She glances at her watch then asks, “Wait, are you just now getting off work?”
Sighing heavily, I stick with the truth. “Yeah. Your sink is completely fixed and I tackled what I could of thesiding before leaving. If Jared isn’t back tomorrow, I’ll pull someone from another crew to get started with the top of your house. We’ve only got so many days of sun this coming week and I don’t wanna be up there when the weather changes.”
“I feel bad that you were put behind because of me.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m still making progress.”
Something catches her attention on my chest, and she gasps.Crap, did I miss something on my quick inspection just now?
“Wait? Were you a fan of CRU before or after they won their second D-1 basketball championship last year?”
Smirking at her need to clarify, only a true fan of CRU would even ask that. “I’d say before, as I only have one year left to complete my degree.”
Her jaw drops and forms the perfect O.
When she simply stares, self-consciousness trickles in the longer she remains silent. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Where did you live freshman year?”
“Coleman Hall?” comes out as a question because I’m so confused by her line of thoughts.
