“This worked out well for tonight,” she said after he’d parked. “I love riding with you, but it really does a number on my hair.” She ran her fingers through its blond lengths.
“Don’t get too used to it,” he said, leaning in for a kiss. “I don’t plan to drive the truck all that much.”
“Didn’t think you would.”
They walked down the street together and found Trent standing outside The Drunken Bear, busily texting on his phone.
“Hey, Trent,” Emma said, “I’m so glad you could make it.”
He looked up with a smile. “So you’re going to college, huh?”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Ironic, right?”
“Yeah,” Trent said. “It really is.”
“It’s never too late,” she said, hooking her arm through Trent’s as the three of them walked inside The Drunken Bear.
They were seated at a table near the window. Emma ordered a Celtic Sunrise—a house special with Irish whiskey, Grand Marnier, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine. Ryan wasn’t big on mixed drinks, but this one wasn’t half bad. He’d tasted everything on the menu when he started tending bar here. Tonight, though, he stuck with beer. Trent ordered a Dr Pepper.
“I do think it’s cool that you’re doing this,” Trent said.
“That mean you’re going to re-enroll in the fall?” Ryan couldn’t help asking.
Trent shrugged. “Still thinking about it.”
Emma pressed her hand over his. “You’ve got plenty of time.”
“So you’re moving to Georgia?” Trent asked.
“Yeah.” She glanced at Ryan.
“That’s a bummer,” Trent said.
Tell me about it.Ryan was still smarting over that information himself, even though he ought to be thanking his lucky stars because this gave him an easy out with Emma before things got any more complicated between them than they already were. A clean break.
“Well, if you’re ever in the Atlanta area, look me up,” Emma told Trent with a smile.
“I will.”
“So you guys have been really busy at Off-the-Grid lately, huh?” Emma said.
“Booked solid on the weekends and doing decent business during the week,” Ryan said. Now that the weather had warmed, business had definitely picked up, and he expected it to keep growing as they headed into summer. This would be their first full summer in operation, and if things kept going in the direction they were going, they were in pretty good shape.
“And how are things at the club?” Emma asked Trent.
The kid’s eyes lit with real excitement. “Sweet. I’ve got a regular gig there now on Tuesday nights. Iris has really been awesome. I’m learning so much.”
Emma leaned forward with a conspiratorial grin. “So if I came by one Tuesday, would you introduce us?”
Trent’s eyes rounded. “Uh…”
Ryan grinned.
Trent glanced between them. “Yeah, sure.”
“We’re really proud of you. You know that, right?” Ryan told him.
Trent ducked his head. “Thanks.”
