“Hey, I want you to know I honestly brought you up here to hang out and correct your whiskey palate. Nothing else.” He gives me that smile again. “If at any time you’re uncomfortable and want to go back downstairs, that’s cool.”
I give him a slight nod and a small smile in response.
“I’m okay, but thank you.”
Al leans back and lets the couch engulf his upper body. I didn’t realize how tense he must have been while down in the bar, but now that he’s up here, it’s almost like I can see the stress melt off of him.
We sit in silence for several minutes, and before I realize it, my whiskey is gone. Well, all except for one little dribble.Bummer. It was quite pleasant. I just wish I could get that last drop, but it’s not cooperating when I tip my glass.
An idea strikes me. I glance over at Al, and his eyes are closed, but I know he’s awake because he’s tapping one finger along with the music flowing from his phone. I’m going for it.
I tilt my head back, open my mouth, and invert the glass, then wait for that last smooth treat to hit my tongue. When it does, I inwardly cheer, then lift my head and lower my glass.
That’s when my eyes land on his face. His very handsome face is now donning a huge grin as he watches me.
“You know, Bets, you’re welcome to another glass.”
“Bets, huh? We’ve known each other for just an hour or two, and I’ve earned a nickname.” I smile, narrow my eyes at him, and rest my chin on my hand in my best thinking pose. “Does that mean I get to pick one for you? Hmm, what kind of nickname can I come up with?”
“Well, my niece calls me Uncle—” His eyes widen. “Oops. Almost told you my real name. Well, my real nickname, anyway.”
“We can’t have that,” I tease.
“No. We definitely can’t.” He nods toward my glass. “Are you staying at the hotel or at least not driving?”
“Not driving.”
“Would you like another?” I nod, and he rises, takes my glass, and heads over to fill both of ours. He glances over his shoulder at me. “Do you want ice this time?”
“Nope. I enjoyed it without.”
To his credit, he tries to hide his ‘told you so’ smirk.
When he’s poured our drinks and sits back on the couch, he turns his body toward me. His mouth curves down at the corners, and his eyes soften.
“Do… do you want to talk about why today was so bad?” His voice is gentle, hushed.
I take a sip of my whiskey to buy me a few seconds. Do I? I’m not sure whether I want to even matters.
“I-I’m not convinced I can even if I want to… Which I don’t think I do.” My voice cracks, and I hate it. “I just want to keep things light, if that’s okay.”
“Of course it is. Trust me, I get it.”
His eyes hold a look of sorrow, and he appears more like the man I met in the bar. I wouldn’t have recognized it then, but he seemed so much more relaxed when we first sat down up here than he did in the bar… or now. An intense desire to push back at the darkness that covers his features overcomes me.
“Do you want to playNever Have I Ever?” I blurt out.
That deep, husky laugh erupts from him again, and my heart flutters. I’m thrilled that I helped him turn that frown upside down.
“Like the drinking game from college?” He sputters the words out between laughing fits.
“Yeah. It’d be fun.” I try to convince him.
He wipes away a tear from laughing so hard and composes himself.
“Okay. Let’s do it.” His facial expression turns serious, but I can see him resisting a smile, and I’m pleased with myself.
“Cool. You know how to play?” He nods. “I’ll go first, all right?” He nods again. “Never have I ever been married.” I watch him closely for any sign he’s going to lift his glass and take a sip. He doesn’t. “Your turn.”
