Again with the nodding, she halted her bobbing head and answered, “Yes.”
She followed him out to the car and climbed into the passenger seat of his SUV. Buckling, she shivered as he fired up the engine.
Claire reached for the seat heater at the same moment Grady did, their fingers connecting and setting off blazing hot fireworks. This was getting ridiculous.
“Sorry,” he muttered.
She settled back into her seat, the heat already radiating beneath her, and folded her arms over her chest.
“Claire?” he asked, the breathy tone sending tingles from her finest capillaries to her deepest veins.
Okay, she needed to get a grip. Wasn’t that what Ryder... and her parents, brothers, friends... anyone who knew her well, said on a regular basis? She ran with her imagination far too often. “Yes?”
“I... never mind.”
“Okay.” Why couldn’t she just say it?Grady, I don’t love your brother. But you do something to me. Do you believe in love at first sight? Because I don’t. Didn’t. But I may have been mistaken. Kiss me and let’s see if I’m right.Nope. She absolutely did not have the courage for that.
They said nothing for the rest of the drive into town.Awkwarddidn’t quite capture the vibe. Nothing could measure the humming, unspoken words on both of their lips, nor the zapping electricity that threatened to blast the SUV to shreds.
Claire tucked her hands in her lap and visually explored as they approached downtown. Well,downwasn’t quite the word. Foothills was perched atop the world, settled between rows of midnight blue mountains that faded to black as the sun set. The amber streetlights countered the onset of night, and the glowing shop windows welcomed visitors to stay awhile. The local population might not be much, but Foothills was clearly a hub for tourists, residents of the smaller neighboring towns, and anyone wanting to hide from the big box stores and breathe some fresh air.
Grady’s phone chirped, and he answered over Bluetooth. “What’s up?”
Zane’s name popped up on the screen. “Hey, where you at?”
“Turning into Ahab’s in about thirty seconds.”
“I’m picking up Freya and realized I forgot my wallet at work. Mind grabbing it and we’ll meet you at dinner?”
He glanced to Claire, brow scrunched as if he truly felt guilty about disrupting her evening, and whispered, “That okay?”
Utterly glowing at his unrehearsed thoughtfulness, she answered, “Of course.”
Back to Zane, he said, “Sure thing.”
After ending the call, he said, “It’ll be a quick stop. Promise.”
“I’ve been hoping to get the chance to see your brewery.”
They passed a quirky bar with a flashy, anchor-shapedAhab’ssign, but Grady drove past. Happily settled on the main drag about a block down and over, stood Black Op Brewing Company. The building merged industrial with alpine design, the trendy appeal confirmed by groups of beanie-topped friends chatting it up around firepits on the patio.
“This is the place?” she asked, tempted to smack herself on the head at her stupid question.
“This is it.”
“Why aren’t we going here instead?”
“Zane and I have been spending most of our waking hours here as things take off, not that it’s a chore, but it’s nice to get away and unwind now and again. Besides, Ahab’s is a tradition; we go every few months.” Grady drove past and turned down the next alley.
“Do you brew here onsite?”
“Zane’s the brewer, I do... whatever Zane doesn’t like to do.” He parked in a tucked-away spot in the alley. “Come on, I’ll show you around. We’re early as it is.” He led the way in a back door.
Inside, Claire’s brain tied into curious knots, too many questions struck her at once as another dimension stacked onto the interesting man. Grady motioned her to enter first, and already the crowd was vibrating with enthusiasm. Gigantic stainless-steel brewing tanks stood behind reclaimed floor-to-ceiling warehouse windows. The plank floors looked to have been laid centuries ago, but the solid wood beams and steel girders, copper tables, and savory scents were modern.
Pausing at the door to the kitchen, Grady said, “We mostly serve light fare, but for those looking for something casual, it’s a great dinner spot. Zane built most of the menu, but we sell some meats, cheeses, and baked goods from other local restaurants, and they’re starting to pick up our beers.” His lips raised to an easy smile.
“Smells amazing.” Her lip tucked between her teeth, she closed her eyes and imagined taking a bite of whatever cheesy-savory goodness she’d caught the scent of.
