Page 57 of Every Little Kiss
CHAPTER 11
“It was just a kiss,” Liv repeated for the third time that night, refusing to be one of those women who obsessed over ridiculous things—like how it had been three days since the kiss and Ford hadn’t called. Not that she’d expected him to, or even that she would have known what to say if he had, since “Thanks” was the best she’d come up with.
But some kind of word would have been nice, especially since she hadn’t seen his Jeep in the driveway.
“Then why did you scout out the bar before agreeing to come inside?” Avery asked, with a knowing grin.
“I was looking for Grace,” Liv said primly.
“Grace is right there, in the same place she was two minutes ago when we were outside and she waved us in.” Avery pointed to a booth in the far back corner. “Yet you haven’t taken your eyes off the bar since we walked in.”
Just like she couldn’t get her mind off the way her body had melted when Ford’s lips touched hers in a kiss that changed everything. It felt like the end and the beginning all at the same time, which probably explained the big, confusing knot of emotions in her chest that wound tighter every day that passed.
“Just reading the specials on tap tonight,” she said.
It was Tap-That Thursday at the Backwoods Brewhouse. With half-price local brews, every stool was filled, and the bar was three deep—which made finding anyone difficult. Even the group of search-and-rescue guys gathered at the side of the bar in bright orange were hard to make out.
“Uh-huh,” Avery said, calling Liv on that lie.
Not that it was a lie, really. Tonight was a celebration, and instead of going for her regular order of Riesling, Liv was determined to branch out, be adventurous. Which sounded like fun, except she couldn’t stop wondering what had happened to her last adventure.
Earlier that day, Dr.Brown had submitted Liv to the board as a viable candidate, so keeping her focus was essential—and that meant keeping things professional. At least until she heard back on the permits. A hard task when she knew what his lips tasted like.
“You should consider the Flaming Pig’s Ass—it will go with that goofy grin you’ve got going on,” Avery said with a teasing grin, dragging Liv through the bar and straight for Grace, weaving in and out of the crush of people.
The open rafters, stacked-log walls, and vintage aging tanks displayed the deep roots of the historic mountain brewery, while the antler chandeliers and sleek leather furniture brought a hunting-lodge feel to the brewhouse turned bar and grill.
Grace sat in a booth covered in Liv’s favorite fried foods, a bottle of champagne, and three glasses. Liv’s chest expanded over the thoughtful gesture. It had been a long time since she’d had something to celebrate. Even longer since she’d had someone to celebrate with.
Liv had no sooner slid into the booth when Grace offered Liv a glass, then raised her own in toast. “To our friend Olivia. For moving up and making out.”
Liv took her glass but glared at Avery over the rim. “Seriously? You told her?”
“Of course she told me.” Grace clinked glasses. “Now, spill. I want to hear everything. Where did it happen? Who made the first move? What where you wearing? Is it going to happen again?”
“Poppy fields. Me. Clothes. And probably not.” With that out of the way, Liv emptied her glass in one swallow.
“What do you meanprobably not?” Grace sounded as if she’d just learned unicorns didn’t exist.
“Just what I said.” Liv grabbed a celery stick off the wings plate and dipped it in ranch. “It was an in-the-moment thing, the moment is over, and I think I’ll skip the beer and go with a Riesling.”
“Liv,” Grace said in that nurturing tone that had the power to unlock people’s secrets, so Liv shoved a carrot in her mouth, and then another, until it was too full to talk.
Her friends leaned back and sipped their champagne, content to wait it out. Liv swallowed and let out a big sigh. “He dropped me off at the curb and said, ‘It was fun.’”
“No, he did not,” Grace breathed, aghast. “He ‘funned’ you? That deserves a second glass.” Grace didn’t stop until the sparkling liquid was licking the glass’s rim.
“No second kiss at the door, no ‘Let’s do it again.’” Nope, Man Candy had “funned” her and then didn’t call.
This time Liv bypassed the veggie stick and went straight for a handful of fries.
“You did say you were looking for fun,” Avery pointed out. “And before we bash the guy, did you want a second kiss?”
“Have you seen the man? Of course she wanted a second kiss,” Grace said, but Avery’s focus was locked on Liv.
Liv had done her fair share of dreaming over the past few days, and while part of her said she wanted another kiss—the naughty part—she had to admit that there was still some hesitation.
Sure, there was the expected guilt and the annoying flutters that wouldn’t go away. But what had Liv rethinking everything was the sense of rightness she’d felt. In the moment and all the moments since.
