Riley: Absolutely. See you later?
Grant: Yeah. I have to swing by Hannigan's this afternoon. Need to exchange the empty cider barrels for fresh ones. We're running low at the farm.
Riley: That's where we're doing girls' happy hour tonight!
Grant: Is it?
Riley: Grant Lawson, are you going to conveniently show up during my girls' night?
Grant: Would that be so bad?
Riley: Might be dangerous. Hannah's going to give you a hard time.
Grant: I can handle Hannah.
Riley: We'll see about that.
Grant grinned at his phone. His plan was working. Slowly, carefully, he was showing Riley what they could be. And judging by the way she'd kissed him last night, the way she'd stayed, the way she was texting him now—she was feeling it too.
She just wasn't ready to admit it yet.
By late afternoon, Grant had finished the day's deliveries and helped his dad with the last of the weekend orders. The farm was finally slowing down as they got closer to Christmas—most people had their trees by now, and the holiday rush was starting to ease.
He loaded the empty cider barrels into his truck bed and headed into town. He needed to exchange them for fresh ones anyway, and Riley would be at Hannigan's.
Two birds, one stone.
Grant pulled into Hannigan's parking lot around six and killed the engine. Through the windows, he could see the placewas busy—holiday crowd, people unwinding before Christmas hit full force.
He spotted Riley immediately through the window. She sat in a corner booth with Hannah, Emily, and Jenna, wearing dark jeans and that green sweater that made her eyes impossible to ignore. She was laughing at something Emily said, her whole face lit up.
Grant’s excitement showed itself in the racing of his heart; as if he were nervous.Was he nervous?
He climbed out of the truck and headed inside.
The bar was warm and loud—music from the jukebox, laughter, the smell of fried food and beer. Grant made his way to the bar where Mike was pulling pints.
"Grant!" Mike called. "Your dad's barrels are in back. Give me five and I'll help you load 'em."
"Appreciate it."
Mike nodded and disappeared into the back room.
Grant leaned against the bar, very carefully not looking at Riley's table.
He lasted approximately thirty seconds.
When he glanced over, Riley was already watching him, one eyebrow raised like she'd been waiting for him to crack. Her smile was knowing and dangerous.
Before Grant could decide whether to go over, Hannah spotted him and waved. "Grant! Get over here!"
Riley shot Hannah a look, but Hannah just grinned.
Grant grabbed his beer and made his way over, sliding into the booth next to Riley. Their thighs pressed together, and Riley's breath caught just slightly.
"Didn't know you were coming tonight," Hannah said, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Just picking up supplies," Grant said. "Happened to stop in."
