The moment the car door closes it’s less anxious, easier. It’s how it used to be. She’s smiling as she buckles her seat belt.
“What’s that grin for?”
She shrugs. “I had fun. It was nice, Asher. I’m glad you invited me.”
The engine comes to life as she turns the ignition, the window rolled down so I can lean in some. “I’m glad you didn’t mind the change of plans.”
“Me too. I missed you and your family,” she admits and there’s a hint of nostalgia in her tone. She feels this too. She has to be feeling this too.
That urge comes back again. I want to tell her everything. I want to break down and let go of this secret I’ve been hiding from her. That would only ruin the evening. I’ve invited Bri out, and that’s what we’re going to do. Go out. Have fun. Be friends.
Friends, and nothing else.
“Meet you at the bar … friend,” she teases. That was her teasing me, right?
Brianna
I can’t help but smile as I take a sip of cabernet. Sitting at the bar feels like home. The whole town does, actually. The people, the smells, every little thing. Asher’s house. My parents’ house. These are the places I know the best. They welcome me back like I never left. I could almost believe I hadn’t, especially here.
The billiard balls clack together as they’re being racked behind me, and someone laughs in the corner of the bar. All the while there’s the din of conversation and cheering in time with the football game on the television. The fried pickles are salty and the dip has a touch of spice; the local beer is cold and hoppy. Even though this bar is brand new, straight from the studs, it still feels like home. Probably because of the people in it. This is what home is to me.
The pool table has a handful of guys from out of town gathering around it. They probably go to the university a bit aways judging by their age. Older men are grouped together, forming huddles in the opposite corner. They’re my friends’ uncles or former teachers. Aside from the newcomers, everybody’s a familiar face.
At the pool table, the out-of-towners are going up against a guy we knew in high school. He likes to think he’s a shark, but he’s getting his ass kicked. And he loves it. He’s grinning all through the game. I bet he’ll blame his losses on the booze when all is said and done and be at it again, grin and all, tomorrow.
Sharon had to go to the bathroom, so I’m left standing, people watching as I sip my wine. It’s not until Asher brushes past behind me, his hand grazing along my lower back that I’m brought back to the push and pull of what we are and what we’ve always been. Heat rushes to my face and some down below too if I’m honest. His touch is everything I’ve missed and everything I’ve needed. Scooting to the side, I hide my small gasp in another sip and pretend like I’m just fine. Like that small touch didn’t do damage to the walls I pretend I’ve built up to keep him out. I’m so screwed. One touch has me hot and bothered. I guess that’s the same as it always has been too. He’s always made me feel this way.
Clearing my throat and avoiding his gaze that I can feel burning into the side of my face, I concentrate on our friends instead. Renee’s keeping an eye on the room, a beer on the table in front of her. She got done with her shift a while ago, but she’s still here. It’s practically home for her too.
Griffin, the co-owner of the bar, is quiet and watchful. Except he’s not watching the rest of the bar. He’s watching Renee. It’s obvious there’s something between them.
Yep. I was right. As I take another sip, I watch Griffin lean in and whisper into her ear. He’s a little too close for a boss-employee relationship and she’s a little too comfortable. Renee cracks a smile, laughing like he told her a private joke. Maybe she stays here to spend more time with Griffin. With a clack, a plate hits the table and my attention is drawn to a salty fried food delight.
Asher slides a new plate of fried pickles down onto the table, then nudges me with his elbow. “You want one?”
I can’t help but return his smile and nod.
“One more.” I’ve already eaten half a plate. They’re my favorite. The one he hands me is gone in a single bite. Maybe I’ll have another too. It seems I’m addicted to all things Asher hands me. I almost tell him that. I almost flirt and brush up against him like he did me. Instead I set my wine down and wipe my fingers off on the napkin. “Who’s in the kitchen? I thought it was closed already.”
“Kitchen’s open until eleven tonight for Rob,” Griffin calls from the other side of the table with another grin. The light reflects off of the lenses of his black, plastic-framed glasses.
He’s something that’s changed. He’s a Southerner like us, but he’s new to this town. He’s friendly enough. He means well. But he’s definitely not from here. Nobody calls Robert “Rob.” Renee’s giving him a funny look, like she thinks he should know better but she likes him anyway.
Renee’s never actually left home. This small town is all she knows. She’s born and raised here and proudly boasts that she’ll retire in a small house on the water. She never wants to leave and I don’t blame her, but I’ll be dragging her to as many vacation spots around the world as I can.
She nudges Griffin and this time it’s him leaning down so she can whisper in his ear.
In a bar filled with similar Southern accents, Griffin’s is a little muddy—almost like he spent too much time up north. That’s how he met Brody; they’re old college buddies who studied and partied together at the University of Delaware. I heard Brody’s from somewhere in Jersey or Pennsylvania. Maybe that’s what Renee likes about Griffin. He’s new to her. That means he hasn’t spent years following along with the gossip. He’s probably got a fresh perspective.
“You’re people watching,” Asher murmurs, and I jump, realizing how close he is. How close he stayed since he put down that plate of pickles. A nervous laugh leaves me and I pretend there aren’t butterflies fluttering in the pit of my stomach. Somehow, after dinner with his parents, he’s even more handsome. More rugged. More like the man I used to dream of every single night.
“No, I’m not.” I sip my drink.
Asher gives me a knowing smirk. “Don’t lie to me, Bri. I know you were people watching. But I think there’s something else too.”
His tone is teasing and I mirror his smirk, playing along. “Something else … Like what? Drinking?”
“Like standing here all cute, pretending you don’t want to go somewhere and talk.”