But there is something simmering beneath the surface that has us both being a little…formal. Stiff.
I’m almost never either one of those. I don’t know why I feel so flustered.
“Should we grab breakfast at the diner?” Ian asks. “While you were walking Barrel, I contacted some high school kids who can help you move your furniture into your apartment. They’ll meet us there at eleven.”
Is he eager to get rid of me? Maybe he wants his space back. “Perfect.”
After I shower, wishing I had some clean clothes, I head downstairs and see that Ian has cleaned his kitchen. “I told you I would do that,” I protest.
He shrugs. “I wasn’t doing anything else. No reason not to clean it up.”
“I feel bad.”
“Don’t.”
Yep. This is awkward.
I can let out a sigh of relief when we get to Dinky’s Diner. Lucy is at her usual spot at the bar and she gives me a friendly smile. “Morning, kids,” she says to me and Ian.
“Morning, Lucy,” Ian said. “Buddy, please, may I have a black coffee?”
Something about Ian’s voice indicates he isn’t to be trifled with this morning because without a word Buddy pours him a coffee.
“Lemon water?” Buddy asks me.
I nod. “Thank you.”
There is a group of six teens at a table behind us and after Ian introduces us, I drink some water quickly and decide I mightas well get to moving in my stuff. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome at Ian’s, which is disappointing.
I’m annoyed with myself for being disappointed.
What did I expect? We barely know each other.
Except it didn’t feel that way.
One of the teen boys says, “Ian, you’re famous.”
“What?” Ian sets his coffee down with a hard clatter.
Another boy says, “Dude, you’re blowing up online.”
Ian frowns. “Why? You mean Four Brothers?”
“No, bro,you. Hot Bourbon Guy, look it up.”
The two girls with the four boys giggle.
I pull out my phone and type.
It comes up immediately. It’s a short video of Ian on the podium the day before.
The caption reads:
HOT BOURBON GUY DESTROYS SMALL-TOWN DRAMA
When it plays, it’s Ian saying, “This town takes pride in what we make. Bourbon. Food. Traditions.”
It’s a short bit taken from his speech, and seemingly not that big of a deal. Except he looks passionate, intense. Hot.
