And now here they were, tooling through Austin with the top off his Jeep, and she was feeling as free and happy as she could remember feeling in a long, long time.
"This is one of the areas where I thought I might want to have my own bar someday," he said later as they were back on the road. They'd turned right onto Barton Springs Road and were passing the collection of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that lined the road between Lamar Boulevard and Zilker Park.
"It's a good area," she said. "But a lot of competition. I don't know exactly what you're thinking of, but I see you as more of a neighborhood bar guy. A place where you know pretty much everyone who comes in."
The smile he flashed her was brilliant. "You read my mind. Because that's exactly why I talked myself out of this location. I'm thinking something in East Austin. A lot of revitalization going on over there."
"I think that's perfect."
"Just a plan right now," he said. "I need to make sure I have the chops first." He glanced sideways at her before making a turn into the park and heading toward the pool and the hillside theater area. "Can you keep a secret?"
"I managed not to tell anyone except Cam that I had a crush on you for ages. So I guess so."
"The Fix is doing so well after the contest and all the other promo that Tyree and the others are looking into opening a location off of South Congress. Kind of near where Derek and Amanda are renovating that old motel into a retro chic place to stay."
"Really? I hadn't heard."
"They asked if I wanted to manage it."
She leaped across the seat and hugged him. Fortunately, he'd already parked. "That's amazing. Eric, you'll do great! I'm so excited for you. And jealous. I still have years of school to go."
"Well, you can spend them in my bar studying."
She tilted her head, eyeing him. She knew he was just talking, but still...
"I'll take that offer, you know," she said softly, her chest tightening as she realized what she'd just said--not to mention how fast she'd said it compared to when they got together. But with Eric it felt right. Hell, it had felt right from the moment she'd first met him.
Whether or not it felt right to him, though...
He still hadn't answered, but he was looking at her with such an expression of trust and wonder that she couldn't help but hope that maybe, just maybe...
"Do you mean that?"
She nodded, her throat too thick to speak. "Good. Because it's a standing offer."
Her whole body relaxed. "We took way too long getting here, you know."
"Zilker?" he joked, then immediately shook his head. "No, forget I said that. You're right. Way too long." He leaned over and kissed her, a sweet kiss, but with a promise of spice later. Even so, when they pulled apart, she thought she saw a shadow in his eyes. More, she thought she knew what it was about--they still hadn't talked about Ben.
And she didn't want to start now.
She cleared her throat. "So why are we here?"
"Get out, and I'll show you."
A few minutes later, they were standing at the gate to Barton Springs Pool. "You game?"
"Are you insane?" she countered. "I love this place but it's fricking cold."
"It's pure Austin and it's amazing. And if you stay close to me, I'll warm you up. Besides, Robert Redford learned to swim here, according to Wikipedia, anyway. Doesn't every woman want to be close to Redford?"
She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't argue. Maybe there was some Redford magic in the water.
A huge dammed-off section of Barton Creek, the pool was fed by an underground spring, which kept it at more or less sixty-eight degrees except in the hottest part of summer. Now, this early in spring, it was going to be chilly.
Still, she loved the pool and had spent much of her childhood there. Some of her happiest memories were of hanging out with her friends on floats on the water or blankets on the grass. And she had to admit she was eager to gather more happy memories with Eric.
Twenty minutes later, when she'd changed into the bathing suit he'd brought for her and was standing in the water turning blue, she was starting to think differently.
"You're going about it all wrong."
"If you say jump in, I'll splash you."
"Jump in," he said, and she splashed as promised. But all that did was have him stalk to her, and since she didn't want to slip on the rocks that formed the base of the shallow end, she couldn't scurry. Soon, he'd not only caught her in a kiss, he'd pulled her down onto the rocks, his body beneath hers, his mouth exploring hers.
She had no idea how he managed it, but during the length of that slow, heated kiss, he'd scooted them both further into the water. So that when they broke, she was halfway submerged, and still in his arms. "Another?" he asked, pulling her close. "They say body heat is the best way to stay warm."
"In that case," she said as she pressed hard against him, "you're going to be warming me all day."
Since Tiffany had a major paper to write over the break, she'd reluctantly gone home after their date, which had ended at Matt's El Rancho, where they'd devoured a dinner of cheese enchiladas and enough chips and hot sauce to fully warm them back up.
Now alone, she took a hot shower. Not because she was chilled, but because there was something sensual about the hot water sluicing over her as she thought of the way Eric touched her, and--
The ring of her phone cut off her thoughts, and she frowned, irritated at the aborted fantasy, but also grateful. Go down that road and she'd get no work done.
By the time she got out of the shower, the call had rolled to voicemail. Since she didn't recognize the number, she didn't bother listening straight away. Instead, she put on her most comfy sweats and T-shirt, then settled down at her kitchen table with her books and laptop spread around her.
She was just settling in to read an article from the British Journal of Clinical Psychology, when the phone rang again. Same number. She grabbed it up, expecting it was a robocall, but figuring she could block it if it was.
It wasn't.
It was Ben.
"Tiffy," he said, using the nickname she'd never liked. "How are you?"
"Ben. I didn't recognize your number."
"I decided to get a number that matched the area code I live in. And as for what's up, I'm in town."
"Oh. Wow." How was she supposed to respond to that?
"I'd love to get together. Have a coffee and catch up. Any chance you're free?"
"I'm working on a paper, but ... just for coffee, right?"
"Yeah. You know, it's been a long time, and, well, I'm trying to catch up with everyone while I'm in town."
Was he catching up with Eric and his parents, too? Because surely Eric would have said something if he knew Ben was in town.
She considered saying no. After all, she really was too busy. But the truth was that she should see him. Maybe she and Eric hadn't discussed it yet, but Ben was the elephant in the room. She needed to make sure Ben knew that she was dating his brother. Not that it was officially his business, but it seemed like the polite thing to do.
"All right. In an hour?"
"Sounds good. I'll swing by and pick you up."
"No, meet me at The Fix. I was about to head there to pick up some papers I left in my cubby." A white lie. There were papers, but she didn't need them. She wanted neutral territory, and her apartment definitely didn't qualify. "We can walk over to Starbucks."
"Perfect. I read about the Man of the Month calendar contest and everything that went on to save the bar. I was hoping to see Tyree and tell him congrats. And see my little brother, before Mom drags him home for a family dinner."
"He's off today," she said. "Same as me."
"No big. He's family, so he'll be around. I'll see you soon."
And that, she thought, was the problem. Ben was around in Eric and Tiffany's relationship, whether they'd invited him there or not.
Chapter Five
Not that Eric didn't appreciate Tiffan
y getting him out of working all day on Tuesday, but once she started to stress about her paper, he'd sent her home. And since he didn't have any other plans, he headed into the bar.
Cam, who was usually off on Tuesdays, was more than happy to cut out and surprise Mina, so Eric slid seamlessly back into his regular routine. Griffin was there, although he'd long ago abandoned his usual place at the bar. Now he was tucked in a corner with Beverly, and Eric had to admit they made a damn cute couple.
Jenna and Reece both used to be regulars at night, but with a two-month-old, Jenna was still officially on leave--though she was working from home--and Reece worked the day shift as much as possible.
Shelby and Nolan sat in a back booth with Amanda and Derek, and they were probably the most boisterous table. Most likely laughing at one of Nolan's off-color joke.
Brent wasn't around, and Eric assumed he was at home with Elena and their daughter, Faith.
And Eric knew that Tyree was in the back with Eva, and would come out periodically to mingle with the regulars and newcomers, just the way a good bar owner should. Tyree, frankly, was Eric's role model, and Eric couldn't have felt prouder that Tyree had offered him the South Congress job if he tried.
All in all, the bar was in fine form tonight. And God knew the customers were keeping Eric on his toes because everyone wanted one of The Fix's specialty drinks. He wasn't the only bartender on duty, but he was the most experienced, and he was doing his best to not only make the drinks quickly, but also put on a bit of a show in the process.
He was popping a lime in a Loaded Corona when the door opened. There was a bell that hung over the door just for show--Faith had bought it at a garage sale for her Uncle Tyree, and he'd immediately hung it over the door--but unless the place was empty, Eric never heard it.
At the moment, though, he was facing that direction and he saw the man walk in. Dark hair. A wrestler's build. And a smile that could cheer up the dourest of rooms.
Ben.
"Eric!" His brother waved to him from the doorway, then hurried over looking like a kid on Christmas morning. "Damn, man, I want to give you a hug but there's two feet of bar between us. Oh well, Mom'll just make us do it later."
"What are you doing here?" Unlike some brothers, Eric and Ben had never had a rough patch. Maybe it was because of the six-year age difference, but they'd always been tight. Which was why it was so damn hard to see him now, with both a bar and a secret between them.
Still, it was also one hell of a nice surprise. "What are you doing in town? I thought you were off being a Yankee."
"Funny man. No, I actually have a job interview at the University."
"I thought you loved your job."
Ben nodded. "I do, but they reached out to me. And can't hurt to talk. And there are lots of good reasons to come back to Austin."
"Like your little brother," Eric said, and Ben smiled.
"Nah. That twerp. I ran as fast as I could."
"Asshole."
"Prick."
"God, I missed you," Eric said. "Want a drink?"
"Can't. I'm not staying. I'm just meeting a date here, then we're heading out."
"Yeah? Who are you meeting?"
But that was a question Eric didn't have to ask. Because she was walking through the door, a smile of greeting on her face and her eyes on Ben. "Ben!" Tiffany said. And then, a split second later, her face went blank. "Eric?"
"Tiffany."
"Hey," Ben said. "I forgot you two work at the same place. Two of my favorite people at the same bar. How sweet is that?"
He slipped his hand around Tiffany's waist, and, Eric noticed, she didn't try to shake it off. Just stood there looking confused.
"I didn't think you were here," she said.
"You two better get going," Eric said. He tossed down a bar rag. "I need to go get some pineapples from the back."
And then he turned and walked away, seething that his brother had returned to take back what was his in the first place, and that Tiffany had intentionally avoided talking about Ben because--as was pretty damn clear now--Eric was just a warm-up for the main act.
Eric slipped away so quickly that Tiffany didn't have time to ask him why he hadn't warned her that Ben was in town. More important, she had no idea if Eric had told his brother that she and Eric were a couple now. She assumed he had-- why wouldn't he?--but since she wasn't sure one way or another, she supposed she'd just have to play it by ear. She wondered if Ben had taken it badly. Maybe so, because Eric's mood was definitely off.
She got her usual Grande Flat White and he ordered some drink with a variety of sweeteners and flavors. Eric, she recalled, drank his coffee black. Straight and to the point, she thought. That's how she liked her men.
"You haven't told me why you're in town. Just to see your parents?"
He chuckled. "That's what Eric asked. No, I've got a job interview. At the University."
"Really?" She couldn't decide what she wanted. She knew Eric and Ben were close, but it would be so much less awkward if he were in another state. Still, they weren't dating anymore, and hadn't been for a long time. So how much would he care, anyway? Surely he'd be happy for both of them.
"I'm thinking seriously of taking it if they make me an offer."
She flashed a bright smile. "You miss warm weather."
"I miss you," he said, boldly taking her hand. "I left because of an amazing opportunity, but I never felt like we were finished. I'd like us to keep moving forward. I'd like us to be together. I miss you, Tiffy."
"Oh." She froze for a second, then slowly tugged her hand back. "I--I don't really know how to say this gently. But, well, the truth is..." She drew in a breath. "I'm sorry, Ben. But I don't miss you. Not like that. I--like you a lot. But I don't love you."
"You could."
Her smile was melancholy. "I'm sorry, but I don't think so. Not like you want. As a friend, absolutely." She leaned forward. "And you deserve someone who sees you that way. Who saw you that way in their heart from the very first moment they knew you. She's out there, I'm sure of it. But she isn't me."
"Is there someone else? Someone you love?"
She ran her hands through her hair. "Does it matter? Even if there wasn't, it wouldn't change how I feel--how I don't feel--about you."
"And that," he said, "means there is."
She nodded. Love. She did. Fast, maybe. But true. "Yeah," she said. "There is. There really is."
Chapter Six
He was being irrational. He knew he was being irrational. And yet Eric still stood in front of her apartment and pounded at the door, waiting for Tiffany to open it, because he damn sure wasn't going away until she did.
"Hey!"
He whipped around and saw her coming up the concrete stairs with a canvas grocery sack.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. "Pleasant surprise, but aren't you supposed to be at The Fix?"
"I called Cam--never mind. We need to talk."
She frowned, then nodded and opened the door, and he was right on her heels. Then he kicked the door closed, turned to face her, and forced himself not to pull her close and kiss her until she renounced all things Ben and promised to only be his.
Instead, he said, "You're still with Ben? You were having a long-distance relationship with my brother and you didn't think to mention it? And then you actually have the nerve to meet him for a date at The Fix--our place. And now you wonder why I'm here? Dammit, Tiffany, why didn't you just ask to borrow a steak knife and jab it in my heart? It would have been kinder."
She stared at him. Just stared, her mouth hanging open a tiny bit. In fact, she stared so long that Eric was beginning to feel as if he were in one of those Sci-Fi movies where the different species wear automatic translation devices. Only hers must be broken, because clearly all she was hearing was garbled words.
"Dammit, Tiffany, say something."
She didn't though. Instead, she burst out laughing.
Which really wasn't the response he'd bee
n expecting. "What the hell?"
"You're an idiot. Adorable, but an idiot."
He cocked his head. "Um. Okay, let's rewind. What?"
"You. Have. It. All. Wrong." She headed toward her kitchen and he followed. "Coffee?"
He only glared.
She smiled sweetly, apparently enjoying herself.
"Tiffany..."
"Your brother and I have not been dating long-distance. On the contrary, I thought his move was a convenient way for me to not have to formally break up with him. I guess I should have, though, because he clearly thought I was still interested. But I wasn't. Don't get me wrong, Ben's a great guy. He's just not my guy."
He nodded, not wanting to interrupt and knock her off track. Because right then, he wanted to hear who was her guy.
"When he called me for coffee earlier this evening, I thought that was all it was. Coffee. And I thought that I should probably say something about you and me, although to be honest I was going to play that by ear. I thought maybe you should be the one to tell him. At any rate, I had no date vibes. I had coffee vibes."
She shrugged, then passed him a packet of Oreos. He opened it and ate one, not really paying attention to what he was doing.
"I told him I didn't love him, and he asked me if I was seeing someone. I said I was, but I didn't say it was you." This time her grin was shy. "And then I told him I loved you. Well, the guy I'm seeing. But between you and me, you're the guy."
His head was spinning, but he had definitely focused in on the key word. Love.
"Tiffany--I-- I'm an idiot."
She snagged an Oreo. "Told you so," she said, then took a bite.
"Love." He swallowed. He loved her, too, but it was too soon to say it. Too soon to do anything about it. "You can't know that," he said. "It's too soon."
She stalked closer, so she was right between his legs. "Don't tell me what I know and don't know."
"But we've only been going out for a couple of days."
"I'm supposed to measure love by a calendar?"
"But--"
"I've known you for years, Eric. You've been in my life--in my heart--for years. I love you. Deal with it." She grinned. "And you know what else? You love me, too." She pressed a finger over his lips. "It's okay if you don't want to say it yet. But just remember who's the psych major. I know what I know."
And he knew she was right, but at the moment, he didn't even care about telling her--after all, he didn't need to. All he wanted was to feel her. To touch her. To claim her so fully and completely that any fear that she belonged to any other man--brother or not--was fully, completely and one hundred percent obliterated.