“You want me to drive, sassy?”
“Yes, please.”
“Let me grab my keys.”
I admire his firm ass as he walks to the counter and grabs his keychain. He guides me to his hunter green truck and opens the passenger door for me. I didn’t expect him to be so damn polite.
“What? My mom raised me right.”
“I can see that.” There’s a lot to like about him.
I find myself scanning the area as he climbs into the driver’s seat and starts the truck up. Nothing stands out, but I can’t shake the apprehension lingering in the air. I roll down the window and try to relax as the sun warms my skin and the feeling of fear lessens.
He pulls into the parking lot, cuts the engine, and turns to me.
“How are you feeling now?”
“Better with you here,” I say honestly.
He takes my hand. “We never really talked about the kiss in the apartment. It was more than hormones getting the best of us. I get that you’re gun-shy. We went through an insane event that changes us both. You’re worried we’re mistaking some sort of survivor’s bond with desire. I don’t think that’s the case. It brought us together, but it’s not keeping this thing alive between us. I want to see how far we can go. I’ve never been this into a woman or felt I vibed so well with one on this level. You get me, and I think I understand you. Attraction aside, we work damn well together. I’m old enough to know how rare that is. If you give me a chance, I’ll make sure you never regret it.”
He’s upfront and open. It’s one of the things I like most about him.
“It’s been a long time since I went the serious route, Ollie. I’m rusty, but I want to do this with you. I like you more than I ever intended to.”
He laughs. “I accept that.”
I squeeze his hand, and my heart rate kicks up a notch. Charming bastard.
“Enough with this seriousness. Let’s go have a good time. It’s what I bought you here for.” He let’s go of my hand, and I take a second to catch my breath. The man invigorates and stuns me with his authenticity. I was in a relationship with a bullshitter long enough to spot one when I see him. Oliver Hemnway is the real deal. It’s as terrifying as it is joy bringing.
He opens the door for me and holds out his hand to help me down. As I take the help he offers, it feels like more than assistance to get down—it’s the beginning of a journey with a man I’ve become quite enamored with.
He places my hand in the crook of his arm, and we make our way toward the sandstone bricked walkway that leads us to the restaurants. The tree topiaries and brightly colored flowers arranged in the large cement cylinders along the way are a nice touch. I’ve seen this place go up, expand, and develop over the years.
“I thought we could start at the brewery and try out some local things, maybe a sampler, and then just hop from place to place?”
“I’m down for that plan.”
We step beneath the tin roof, and the environment changes away from the sun. The shadows cast an intimate, romantic setting. I move closer to Ollie enjoying his silent strength. I’ll always feel safe with this man. He literally saved my life. While people would argue I returned the favor, what I did took humility, not guts. He showed true bravery. I’ll never forget that.
“Have you been taken the tour at Four Corners before?” he asks.
“I have. It’s incredible to think this all started in their garage.”
“I know, talk about the American dream,” he says.
“You’re kind of living proof of that, aren’t you?”
“Ehh. I always feel like I’m more a product of luck. I invested because Houston believed in it and he needed me. Without him, I’d never be a co-owner of a business. I didn’t have the foresight he did.”
“No, but you have the creativity and vision to create a viable brand.”
“We’re a good team,” he says.
Sexy and humble. He’s gaining brownie points all over the place.
We enter the rustic building with its shiny tin siding, concrete floors, and bright wooden tables and chairs. The posters are lime green, orange, acid wash orange, electric blue, and bee yellow with bold cartoons that illustrate the different beers. All of the names ooze Texas pride—Local Buzz, El Chignon, El Super Bee, Santana Ray, and Heart of Texas. When it comes to alcohol, I tend to be a beer girl. I’ll drink everything from pale ale to a nutty dark brew.