Page 18 of Can't Let You Go
Me
I’ll make sure of it. Give me an hour?
Mom
Of course.
“Fallon, as always, wonderful job,” Isaac says, pulling my attention back to the world in front of me.
“Thank you,” I reply, putting my phone face down atop my clipboard. “It’s been a successful day so far.”
“Have a drink,” he says. “Having Blue Ox here is a hit.”
It’s been a hot day, and a cool drink sounds wonderful. “That sounds great,” I say.
I glance up to find Jason’s eyes on mine. There’ssomething different in his eyes, something I haven’t seen from him. Almost… interest?
“What can I get you?” he asks.
“Umm, what’s your favorite?”
He glances behind him, looking at the taps. “Depends on what you like. Do you want a beer? Or a cider?”
I make it appear like I’m pondering, though really, I’m not a beer girl. Ihatebeer.
“Cider,” I reply.
Jason smirks, like he knew that’s what I was going to say. He probably did. “Or, I have a hard lemonade you can try.”
I shake my head, ignoring the tug of a memory on the edge of my mind of a Christmas party in a run down college house. “Not a hard lemonade fan anymore.”
“Noted,” he says, giving me a knowing look, like he’s remembering the same thing I am. “Do you trust me?”
I nod, almost breathless at his words. I never thought I would trust a man again, but for some reason with this, I trust him. He turns, heading back to the taps. He grabs a glass, and fills it with a rich golden colored cider. He sets it on the bar in front of me, gesturing for me to take a sip. I lift the glass to my lips, letting the flavor settle on my tongue before I swallow the softly bubbling liquid.
The flavor hits me all at once, and I fight back the groan of pleasure at the taste. “What is that?” I ask. It’s sweet, tart, and so damn good.
“Strawberry Rhubarb,” he replies.
“Holy moly, that’s good.” I take another long sip, loving the flavor. It’s subtle, but so freaking good that I can’t get enough.
“It’s a favorite at the brewery,” he tells me.
“I can see why.”
My phone buzzes again with another text from mymom, and I try to subtly look at it while also keeping my attention on the people in front of me. I glance down at the message, seeing a photo of Presley. She’s cuddled up on the couch in a blanket I recognize as one from my childhood with her favorite teddy bear in her arms. The message from my mom reads,cuddled with her favorite. She’s missing her mom a little extra tonight.
“Everything okay?” Isaac asks.
“Huh?” I ask, distracted. “Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine. Presley is missing me tonight.”
He nods. When I look up again, Jason is looking down at me, a look of almost… irritation on his face? I don’t know why he’d be irritated, but it rubs me the wrong way. I take a sip of my cider, and check the time. It’s about time for the grand entrance, so I really should be on my way to go and find the bridal party.
“I’ll see you guys in a bit, I’m off to get everyone organized.” I wave, taking my drink with me as I go.
“Hi, sweetie,”I say to my daughter. Her cheeks are flushed pink, and tears glisten down her skin.
“Hi,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.
