Tequila Rose (Tequila Rose 1)

Both hands wrap around the whistle, my fingers twining together as I try to get the courage to just spit it out. Get it over with. The only thing that keeps me from speaking is the thought that he’d deny her. My perfect little girl. That and the onlookers, and … well, maybe there are a lot of reasons. Either way, I can’t speak. Not a word slips out from between my lips.

“Hey.” Brody lowers his voice and glances at Miss Jones. I don’t even think he knows Renee’s right behind him. She’s practically hidden in the corner. “I get it,” he says then shrugs and offers me an asymmetric smile that’s so comforting and soothing.

It takes me back to that night at the bar, the nostalgic smell of a sweet cocktail and then him. His warmth. His touch. The way he laughed.

I want to hear him laugh. Just to know if my memory is right.

Given the way he looks right now in front of me, my memory hasn’t done him any justice at all.

“You all right?” His question brings me back to the present, the here and now of this man I’ve dreamed of for so long standing so close to me.

“Yes. Yes. What, umm … get what?” I manage to ask and this time it comes out even. I haven’t got a clue how. I clear my throat and say to clarify, “I’m sorry, but you get what?”

“I get why you freaked out. You’re a sweet girl. You’re from a small town.” He nods with each statement, then leans in closer to whisper, as if Miss Jones doesn’t have the hearing of a fruit bat. “You don’t want anyone to know about your college days.”

Oh my God. How is this conversation happening right now? My body blazes again but this time with sheer embarrassment. I know my cheeks are red and my jaw has dropped, but I can’t help a single reaction.

In an effort to look anywhere but at his handsome face, I look to my right, which is a mistake because Renee’s grin only adds to my chagrin. She sure is getting a kick out of my humiliation.

One breath in, one breath out.

“It’s not that,” I say then shake my head and manage to look Brody in the eyes.

“It’s not?” The smile he’s been wearing falls and I wish I could take it back. I wish a lot of things. Wishing isn’t going to make this right, though.

“So … why’d you take off like that? Because you lied about your name?”

I promise I want to answer him, I want the words to come out and just give him the truth regardless of how much of a surprise it is and how much it’s going to change everything. The words, though … they’re stuck at the back of my throat and all I can do is stare back at him with a pained look. I’ve never felt both so foolish and helpless.

“Wait, wait,” he says, raising his voice and Renee’s brow climbs so high on her forehead it catches my attention. “I have this idea.” Brody runs his hand down his jaw and clears his throat before saying, “Hi. My name’s Brody. When you left, I asked the waitress what she knew about you because I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. She said you’re sweet and you’re single.”

My chest rises and falls as I watch him pretend like this is the first time we’re meeting. Like we’re starting fresh. His grandstanding is cute and flirtatious, but his nerves are clearly getting to him judging by the way he rubs the back of his neck before asking me, “I was wondering if you want to go out with me sometime.”

“Oh, how sweet,” Miss Jones comments as if she’s innocent and doesn’t have a clue what’s going on.

“A date?” I ask in a voice that doesn’t sound like my own. It’s breathless and filled with disbelief.

“If you’d like, I’d really like to take you out this weekend.” His voice is lower and filled with a longing I recognize when he adds, “I want to redo this.”

“You should say yes to that sweet man, Magnolia.” Miss Jones butts in and at that, I roll my eyes. This woman and her pestering are killing me right now.

“Thank you very much,” Brody says and flashes her a charming smile. Sweet but completely ignorant Brody. He turns that charm on me next. “So? Will you go out with me?”

Thud, my heart beats in a way that both feels right and like the next beat will take me to death’s door.

“Yes, yes,” I say and force a small smile to my lips, “let’s go out on a date.” Even though a part of me is jumping up and down for joy, I cross my arms and the chill across my shoulders doesn’t leave me. I’ll go on the date to tell him about Bridget and confess everything. Somewhere quiet, where we can talk.