“Of course I did. I’ve been looking forward to tonight,” he said, pulling her into a secluded corner so prying eyes couldn’t see what he was about to do. He placed his hands on her back, gently pulling her toward him. The curves of her body fit perfectly against his chest, almost as if she were meant to be there.
“Hurry up and kiss me,” she urged, standing on tippy-toes so she could beat him to it. Her lips tasted fruity as they pressed against his. Xavier liked the way she took control of the kiss as her tongue explored his mouth. She was holding on to his jacket for leverage.
When she broke away from the kiss, he couldn’t help but feel that it was ending way too soon. He could do this all night.
True said, “I’ve got to take care of a few things in back, but then I’m off the clock.”
“I’ll keep myself entertained till then. The music sounds pretty good.”
“Save me a dance. By the way, Red’s here,” she said, nodding in the direction of the stage. “Did you two ever talk?”
“I haven’t had a chance yet,” Xavier said, knowing he was bending the truth. Every time he’d picked up his phone or run into Red at the Yukon Cider office, he had chickened out. He still didn’t know how to put his feelings into words.Hey, Dad. Why did you bail on your three boys?
True swept her hand across his cheek. “Now may not be the right time to hash everything out, but you can certainly tell him you’d like to talk.”
“I guess,” he said, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
“Sometimes the hardest thing to do is face down the past, but I believe in you, Xavier Stone. You’ve got this.” She placed one last smoldering kiss on his lips before dashing away.
And with those simple words, True made him feel that he could do anything. Leap tall buildings in a single bound. Climb Mount Everest. Dunk on LeBron James. Eat all his lima beans.
If she could talk to his grandmother about wanting to buy Northern Exposure, he could talk to his father about the past.
True made her way toward the bar, winding her way through the throng of people to get to her office. She paused along the way to greet regulars. It was nice to see familiar faces as well as newcomers and tourists.
“Sophia!” she called out to her friend, surprised to see her out on the town. As a single mother of a four-year old, Sophia Brand didn’t get out much. Tall and shapely with long auburn hair and almond-shaped eyes, Sophia was a former beauty queen turned photographer. She was a sweetheart and had mad skills with a camera. “It’s so good to see you.”
“You too,” Sophia said, pulling her into a tight hug. “Patience made me come out tonight. She said I was getting too stuck in my ways.”
Patience was Sophia’s older sister. They had all gone through school together and been the best of friends. After the plane crash, True’s life had become all about raising Jaylen and working at the tavern. Sadly, she wasn’t as close to the Brand sisters as she’d once been. It hit her all at once how badly she missed them. They were both fun and supportive women.
“I think Patience is hoping to get a glimpse of the Stone brothers. Word on the street is that they’re extremely easy on the eyes.” Sophia’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “I vaguely remember them from when they were kids.”
True nodded and let out a little laugh. “I can definitelyvouch for their good looks. They’re the eye candy Moose Falls desperately wanted and needed.”
Sophia laughed along with her and fanned herself with her hand.
True looked around the tavern, then back at Sophia. “And if I’m not mistaken, Caleb Stone is eyeballing you at this very moment.”
“Where? Can I look?” Sophia asked.
“To your left by the stage. He’s wearing a light blue shirt,” True said, watching as Sophia discreetly turned her head in Caleb’s direction. After a few beats Sophia looked away.
“So. What do you think?” True asked, knowing Caleb’s striking looks were hard to ignore.
Her friend lightly shrugged her shoulders. “He’s handsome, but he just winked at me. Kind of cheesy, don’t you think? And wasn’t he the one from the reality show?”
Suddenly True felt protective of Xavier’s brother. “Yes, he was on a reality show, but I believe those programs manipulate situations. I don’t know him that well, but he seems like a solid guy.”
“I’m not really looking at the moment, but I’m sure Patience will love him,” Sophia said. “By the way, I love what you’ve done to the place,” she gushed, looking around her. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in here.”
“Thanks, Sophia. It’s been a labor of love.” And it had been. Long hours, working her way up the ranks, and being away from Jaylen during her shifts had all taken a toll. But True’s sacrifices were beginning to pay off.
“It really shows. If you ever need a photographer to take shots of the tavern, I’m your girl.” Sophia was brilliant in her profession. She had won several awards for capturing Alaskan wildlife on film.
“That’s a definite possibility. I’ll be in touch,” True said,her mind spinning with ideas for a photo shoot. “If you can, spread the word to your clients and any tourists you might come across about our events. I’d appreciate it.”
“I sure will,” Sophia promised.
