“You sounded sad when I texted last night.” He shoved his hand through his hair, and I noticed another small worry line in his forehead. It made me think of my dad, about someone caring about me, for me.
“I’m not sure how someone sounds like anything in a text ...”
“Hush.” He took a swig of beer before continuing. “You know what I mean. You were clipped and sounded down. Not your usual snarky self.”
“Shit,” I whispered, grabbing a rag to wipe the bar. Idle hands were the enemy when in uncharted territory. “So, it was me? I made you cancel your trip home? Your mom will hate me.” How did he turn this around and make it about me? What was with men and their need to fix everything?
“Nah. It was a crap time with my dad. He was distracted, and basically, I was an afterthought, just like always with him. He was busy with an old friend who is sick or some shit. We had dinner Thursday night, and then I sat around all day Friday, waiting for him.”
“But you had Tuck. That’s a bright spot.”
“It is. In fact, he misses you. Why don’t you come back with me tonight when you’re done?”
“Oh, I see you trying to get in my pants, using your dog.”
This got me a big chuckle. The line in his forehead smoothed out, making my heart pound in relief. I hadn’t known that was possible, a heart beating because of someone else’s. I’d thought it was something made up in the movies.
“Em, what will I do with you? Here I am, wanting to cry in the beer only you and you alone poured, and you make me laugh. That’s why I came to your bar, and nowhere else.”
“I’m sorry.” I smiled through the apology.
The smell of beer all around us, my body sticky from working—it was like a scene from a romance movie.Not.
“Don’t be. I was feeling like shit, and now I’m not. You made me feel better already. I love my mom, but if I went there feeling low, she’d know in a heartbeat. And then she’d draw out every bit of my feelings, and analyze and dissect them, wanting to make me feel better. She’d make me feel worse without trying to, but still. Now I’m laughing. You take me as I am.”
“I’m glad I could provide that service. Although, I wouldn’t know what it’s like to have a mom dissect me. Maybe it’s fun.”
“Believe me, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Go on, work, and then come home with me. Just to hang, scout’s honor,” he said, lifting two fingers. “We’ll have fun, maybe make s’mores over my stove?”
“Okay, boss, but one quick thing ... I’m off tomorrow. I thought you’d be away, so I was planning on cleaning my apartment and washing my hair. You know, big stuff.”
“Well, now you’re all mine. Go work.”
True to his word, Price sat at the end of the bar watching a baseball game on TV until I was done. He didn’t bug me or try to take me away from the task at hand. I didn’t know devotion, but he certainly seemed full of it.
Price
Once Emerson’s shift ended, I took her hand in mine and walked her toward the car. Johnny had driven me out and said he didn’t mind waiting.
“Poor Johnny,” Em said. “It’s so late.”
“I did a public service. No joke, I think he relishes the time alone, watching a movie on his iPad while waiting. I’m sure his life at home is hectic.”
“Shhh,” she whispered, tucked into my side, watching Johnny run around to get the door for her.
“Where to, boss man?” Johnny asked me.
“Cut the crap,” I said while laughing.
He gave me a big grin. “It’s just too easy to get you.”
“Yeah, yeah. We’re going to my place.”
“No problem,” he said, and headed back to the driver’s side.
Settled in the back seat, I threw my arm around Emerson and pulled her close. “Now, this is good, right?”
“Oh no!”
