“So we’ll buy wedding suits. Who knows? We may need them someday.”
After an hour and a half, we arrived in Emerald Fort, the closest city to Bristlecone. For a city, it was smaller than I’d imagined, but definitely more vibrant and bustling with energy and color than the small town where we’d come from.
Emerald Fort had a friendly, small-town feel, but…busier. Cafés and boutique shops lined the streets, each with its unique look and wooden signs. On a hill in the distance stood the old fort that gave the city its name, a reminder of the area’s history.
Gray paid for our parking, and hand in hand, we walked through the busy streets, narrowly avoiding colliding with the bustling pedestrians. He protectively inserted his body between me and potential hazards, and my heart fluttered.
“What’s this?” Gray steered me toward the entrance of a brewery.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Let’s get something to eat.”
“But shouldn’t we find the perfect suit?”
“We will. Trust me.”
It was funny how those two small words “trust me” set my mind at ease, soothing my anxieties. As we entered the brewery, the clatter of dishes and murmur of conversation enveloped us like a warm blanket. The scent of toasted malt and warm food made my mouth water. A waiter greeted us, guided us to a table near the window, and handed us menus.
“You’ve come here before, haven’t you?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“Do you come here a lot?”
“Not a lot, but from time to time. There are certain things that are limited in Bristlecone.”
“Like what?”
He raised his eyebrows, and I quickly lifted the menu to hide my disappointment. Oh. He used to come here for a booty call? The charm of the city dimmed a little.
Gray tugged down my menu. “I don’t have to do that anymore now that I’ve met you.”
“What if we run into—”
“We won’t. And even if we did, you don’t have to worry. You’ll never know.”
“What if I want to know?” There goes that perfectly arched brow again. I sighed. “You’re right. I don’t want to know.”
“Does it bother you?”
“I wish I could say it doesn’t. I’m sorry for being jealous.”
“Are you kidding me?” He took my hand up. “I’m the one who has to keep up with a younger, sexy-as-fuck boyfriend. Your jealousy is reassuring.”
What? I never once considered that Gray was insecure about our age difference. He was always so confident, so assured in everything he did. “You don’t have anything to worry about. Gray, you’re one hell of an attractive man.”
I’ll have to make sure he knows that from now on.
We got barbecued wings, burgers, fries, and some of the local craft beers to wash it all down. As we ate, I couldn’t help thinking about how carefree I was, having a simple meal that didn’t involve me weighing calories in my head before Carter pointed it out to me.
Gray caught me watching him and smiled. “What?”
I leaned over the table and kissed him briefly. “I’m having a good time.”
“Shucks. Now I’ll feel bad if I ruin it by bringing up Carter.”
“No, tell me.”
“How are we going to break the news to him? Should I? Should you? Or should both of us?”
