Page 23 of Trusting You
“No, I don’t have a thing for her. What a ridiculous thing to say.”
Trent, ever the peacemaker, clearly sensed the tension and hurried over to the deck where we were standing. “Everything okay, guys?” he asked nervously.
“No. Liam just went psycho because I said I was thinking about asking Cece out.”
Trent punched Shane in the shoulder. “What is wrong with you, dude? You can’t ask her out. Liam obviously has a thing for her.”
“You guys are insane. I do not.”
Trent, my oldest and closet friend, rolled his eyes at me. He turned to Shane. “Yeah, boss man definitely has a crush on her. I don’t blame him, she is pretty awesome. And she calls him out on his shit.” I hated Trent in that moment. The problem with him knowing me since grade school was that he could apparently read me like a book. But hearing him say those words out loud made my eye twitch.
I shoved him. “Lower your voice, dumbass. Cecelia is my employee, and a very good one that I would like to retain. She is smarter and more resourceful than both of you idiots combined. I admire her professionally, and that is all.” I took a long sip of my beer, willing my heart rate to slow down. “This is a business. Both of you need to act professionally.”
Trent gave me a look that said“dude, I’m your best friend so stoplyingto yourself.”Thankfully he didn’t share those sentiments out loud.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize you had called dibs. I didn’t mean to offend you.” Shane smirked at Trent who tried to look innocent. Trent clinked his glass. “I totally called this after our staff meeting last week.”
Shane looked at him incredulously. “Bullshit. No, you didn’t.”
“I so did. I could see the sparks fly. I’ll bet you a hundred bucks they get married.”
“Done. I’ll take that bet.” Behind me, Shane and Trent shook hands and I couldn’t even muster up the energy to object. Because I was too busy watching Cecelia. She was helping Kyle move one of the tables that Declan had finished building. She was laughing and smiling in the late summer sunlight and she looked so capable and beautiful it took my breath away. She was wearing cutoffs and a tank top, her wild hair in a knot on top of her head. She didn’t have a scrap of makeup or jewelry on, but she was breathtaking. Her intellect and confidence were as much of a turn-on as her spectacular curves. She had ideas and enthusiasm and passion. I was awestruck watching her in her element with the community, directing everyone to get the job done. And it was so hot. I had to look away and find something productive to do before I found myself agreeing with Trent and setting a wedding date.
I turned around to see both guys staring at me. They had clearly seen me lusting after Cece. I needed to put a stop to all this bullshit and get my head on straight.
“Okay, guys. I’m going to go pick up pizza. Get your asses back to work.”
14
Cecelia
“I can’t believeI let you talk me into this.” Liam was sweeping the patio area which was covered in dirt from our plantings. His head was down so I couldn’t see his face in the dark, but his tone was clipped.
It was one of those sticky early September nights and we were both sweaty and exhausted from a long day of work. Everyone else had headed home and it was just the two of us, finishing up outside. On Saturday afternoon, the taproom would open for the first weekend since our upgrades. I had been promoting the hell out of it on social media, and I had food trucks lined up for the entire weekend. I was praying these efforts got more customers in the door and introduced more people to Liam’s amazing beer. Even the weather looked like it would cooperate.
I stopped watering the new shrubs and put my hand on my hip. “Oh, please. Look at what we accomplished in two days. This place is transformed. I have been Instagramming photos all day and promoting our new weekend hours. We have thousands of likes already.” I held up my phone and shook it at him.
He shrugged at me and went back to sweeping. Goddamn, he was infuriating.
“You should schedule some extra help for this weekend. We are going to be really, really busy. Especially if the weather stays this nice.” I turned around and resumed watering.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” he replied sarcastically.
I whipped around with the hose. “Excuse me? I know your tiny man brain does not allow you to express gratitude, but a simple thank you should suffice.”
“Thank you for what? Planting a botanical garden? Taking my staff away from brewing for the last two days? Or for spending money I don’t have?” He was walking toward me, fists clenched, and I could tell he was itching for an argument.
“Liam, get your head out of your ass. Your community came together today to help you and your business. Busy people took time out of their lives because they want to support you. Not the brewery, not the beer—you.”
He stopped a few feet away from me and ran his hands through his hair. His shoulders slumped, and he looked almost defeated.
“I know.” His response caught me off guard.
“So what’s with the attitude?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down at his feet. “I am just worried. What if this isn’t enough? It’s one thing to fail myself or fail my employees. But my family? The entire town? Everyone came here today because they believe in me and believe in Binnacle Brewing. What if I let them down?”
He looked up at me with the most soulful expression. Under the soft glow of the new outdoor lights his handsome face was illuminated, and I could see every worry stretched across his forehead. I wanted to throw my arms around him and hug him. Honestly I wanted to do a lot more than hug him. Vulnerability was my romantic weakness. I wanted to comfort him and then jump his sexy moody bones. But my feet felt rooted to the ground.
