“Go ahead. Rub it in.”
I shut the door and get in on the driver’s side. “Girls are never satisfied. Short girls want to be tall. Tall girls want to be short. Straight-haired girls want curls. It never ends.”
“You’re mostly right except for the hair thing. I wouldn’t change mine; I like it.”
“You shouldn’t. Your hair is beautiful.”
“Well, thank you.”
I don’t even ask about the music. I automatically put it on the eighties rock station.
“I didn’t realize this was the cafe you were talking about.”
“You’ve eaten here?” That’s sort of a bummer. I thought I was introducing her to something new.
“Oh no. I frequent this area quite a bit, but I’ve never eaten at this cafe.”
Good. “You hang out in this area?” I can see why she would. It’s a young, funky, up-and-coming area.
“There’s a boutique a couple blocks over. They let me sell some of my art pieces in their store.”
Nothing about that surprises me. “What kind of art pieces?”
“Nothing particular. Just an eclectic mix of stuff.”
“That’s really cool that they let you do that.”
I’m glad we came early. It’s only half past eleven and the restaurant is already filling up. “What do you recommend?”
“The Mexican quinoa is delicious. The butternut squash chipotle chili with avocado is a favorite. You also can’t go wrong with the spicy Thai peanut sauce over roasted sweet potatoes and rice. Nothing on the menu is bad although I wasn’t much of a fan of that tofu noodle dish.”
“The word tofu alone is unappetizing. What is that made of anyway?”
“I have no idea and after trying it, I don’t want to know.”
“I think I’ll go with that Thai dish. I love sweet potatoes.”
“I’m going to have the same.”
We place our orders and Frankee goes silent, pointing to the ceiling. “Ahh.”
“What?”
“This song.”
I immediately recognize the iconic Journey song ‘Faithfully.’
“I love it, but hearing it makes me super sad. It’s a reminder they’re coming to Oak Mountain Amphitheatre tomorrow night and my two best friends are going without me.” She frowns and shows me a thumbs-down. “Wah-wah.”
What kind of pals don’t invite you to a Journey concert when they know you want to go? “You have shitty friends.”
She laughs. “It’s not like that. They invited me to go, but I can’t because I have to save every penny I make for the move to Austin.”
“They don’t have to save their money?”
“Dillyn and Ava don’t work. They come from money, and their parents will pay for everything when we relocate. Mine… they’d like to help me, but they can’t afford it.”
Lovibond pays Scott a decent salary, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel like shit when I hear Frankee say that her dad isn’t able to afford to help her with moving expenses. “A dollar doesn’t stretch as far these days.”
“No, it sure doesn’t.”
I want to do something for Frankee, a show of appreciation for the excellent work she’s been doing at Lovibond. And I know exactly what that’ll be.
I take out my phone. “Sorry, Frankee. An important email just came through from a big client. I really need to reply.”
“It’s okay. I need to run to the restroom for a minute anyway. Where are they?”
“Back left corner.”
I locate two seats on the lower level of Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Row four. If I had to guess, I’d say Frankee has never been so close to a stage. She’ll love it. Sold.
I’m finalizing my purchase when Frankee returns to our table. “I think I saw the Thai sweet potatoes on someone’s table and—oh… my… goodness—it looks delicious.”
“You won’t be disappointed.”
I suppose there’s no reason not to go ahead and tell Frankee what I’ve done. “I have a confession to make. I wasn’t replying to an email from a client.” I push my phone across the table so she can see the e-tickets for Journey’s concert tomorrow night.
“You’re going too?”
“Yeah.”
She picks up my phone and studies the screen. “And you’re on the mutha-humping fourth row? I’m so envious that I’ve probably turned a highly unattractive shade of green.”
“No need to turn green. You’re going with me. I bought you a ticket too.”
Her mouth gapes. “On the fourth row? No way.”
“You see the e-tickets right there.”
Frankee’s mouth turns up at the corners and she tilts her head to the side. “Porter…”
“Whaaat?”
“Fourth-row tickets must have cost a fortune.”
I shrug. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Liar.”
“Don’t worry about the cost. Just consider it an expression of my gratitude for the great job you’re doing at Lovibond.”
“Dillyn and Ava’s seats are okay, but they aren't near as good as these. They're going to be so jealous.”
Good. They should be for leaving Frankee out.
“I already made plans to meet them for drinks before the show. Would you like to join us?”
“Sure. What time?”
“Five o'clock at El Barrio. My treat.”
“I can't let you pay.”
“You can and you will.”
No way that’s happening. “Okay. Sounds good.”
“Do you think it's best if we keep this just between us? Giving me expressions of gratitude like concert tickets might not be well received by employees who feel they are more deserving than an intern.”
That is something to think about, especially when I take into consideration that I’ve never done anything like this for my other employees. “I don't think keeping it between us is a bad idea at all. I wouldn't want to piss off anyone.”
And I also don't want to make trouble for myself with Tap and Stout. I highly doubt they would approve of my spending time with my warehouse manager's twenty-one-year-old daughter outside of the workplace.
The server returns and places our lunch on the table in front of us. “Two spicy Thai roasted sweet potatoes and rice with peanut sauce.”
“That looks amazing.”
“What are you waiting for? Dive in.”
Frankee takes a bite and her eyes widen. “Mmm… ohh. God, that’s so good!”
Fuck. Me. If my eyes were shut, everything I just heard coming out of her mouth could be mistaken for porn.
“Told you it was good.”
“I can't believe I’ve walked by this place a hundred times and never come in. What a shame.”
“Bet you don't walk by again without coming in to eat.”
“I know that's right.”
The porn sounds Frankee makes while she eats keeps my dick twitching the whole time we’re at the cafe. And they keep my mind wondering what kinds of noises she might make if she were lying under me naked.
I’m looking at her while she talks about one thing and then another and all I can think about is how her long, dark hair would look if it were spread on the bed beneath her.
I wonder if she’d press her face against the mattress while I fucked her from behind? Or would she hold it up, occasionally looking at me over her shoulder when I pulled her hair. How hard would she let me pound my cock into her before she screamed?
I don’t know.
But I’d like to find out.
“An expression of gratitude? What exactly is that?” Ava says.
“Porter says I'm doing a great job at Lovibond, and this is his way of thanking me.”
Dillyn grunts. “Sounds more like a date that he's not calling a date if you ask me.”
“It’s not like that.” Or is it? Am I unwilling to admit that it is like that because then it means that I’m dating my boss?
What if I am? Is there real
ly any shame in that? It’s not like I’m climbing the corporate ladder. Hell, I’m not sticking around long enough to gain any kind of employment perks from it. Not like I’m knocking anyone out of a position and taking it for myself.
“I guess we'll see if he considers it a date when he takes you home tonight.”
“Who says he's taking me home tonight?”
“I say. And that look on your face says you hope that I’m not wrong.”
Damn, these girls can read me like a book.
“Okay. He just walked in the door so everybody zip it about this being a date.” I don’t want him to think that I’m expecting anything if all he has in mind is truly an expression of gratitude.
Porter stills and looks around after entering the door of El Barrio. I hesitate about waving him over because I want to take a moment to admire how damn good he looks dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. I never get tired of seeing him in that.
It’s just not fair. No one should be that good-looking.
Dillyn fans herself with her hand. “Gah! That is your boss?”
“Yup. Fine as frog hair, ain’t he?”
“Dayum. I would never want to leave work if I had that to look at,” Ava says.
I’m not surprised they think Porter is hot; we have the same taste in men.
I wave as our eyes meet. A wide smile spreads on his face, and my stomach does this weird flippity thing.
Oh. Fuck. Me. Running.
“Your face just turned beet red.”
I hold up my drink. “It's the Moscow Mule.”
“It’s not the Moscow Mule. It’s the stunning stallion coming this way.”
Oh God. I will kill both of them—dead, dead, dead—if they embarrass me in front of him.
I slide over on the bench seat and he sits beside me. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
His eyes leave mine and roam down my body before making eye contact again. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.”
I look at my friends and both are grinning like Cheshire cats. One of Ava’s brows lifts and I can telepathically hear what she’s saying in her head. You are sooo going to fuck him tonight. Don’t even act like you’re not.
But I’m not.
I can’t.
“These are my best friends, Ava Cochran and Dillyn Lovelace.”
“Nice to meet you,” they say simultaneously, both grinning.
“My pleasure.”
Porter looks at our glasses on the table. “Looks like we have a white wine, a red wine, and a…?”
“Moscow Mule.”
“Believe it or not, I have never tried one of those. Do they make a good one here?”
“This is my first one so I have nothing to compare it to, but I like it.” I push the mug toward Porter. “Try it and see what you think.”
I watch his full pink lips wrap around the rim of the hammered copper and wonder what it would be like for those lips to touch mine.
“It's good but I still prefer a good ole’ cold beer.”
I don’t know what it is, but there’s something very sexy about a man drinking a beer. “I don't think they sell Lovibond here.”
“I don't order Lovibond when I go to bars or restaurants. I like to try other brands. It's good to check out the competition.”
The server returns with Porter’s beer, and he immediately begins an inspection. “They must have a new bartender. They sent this in the wrong kind of glassware.”
I shrug. “Looks like a beer mug to me.”
“Exactly. This isn’t intended for a Belgian IPA. They should have sent it in a wide-mouthed glass so it could retain its head.”
“The glass matters?”
“Not to everyone but it's a huge deal to a brewmaster. We work hard to perfect a craft beer, and then someone who doesn't know better ruins it by putting it in the wrong kind of vessel.”
“I had no idea the glassware was so important. Are you going to send it back?”
“And risk the next one having spit in it? No way. Bartenders do not appreciate you calling them out. I'll make do with it in a Pilsner glass.”
Ava watches Porter taste his beer. “I bet you can drink like a fish.”
“I can hold my own.”
“How many beers does it take for you to get drunk?”
“Probably not as many as you'd think. Craft beer isn’t watered down like macro brewery beer. The alcohol content is higher so it takes fewer beers to become intoxicated. But I never drink to get drunk. I drink craft beer because I love the flavor.”
“I’ve never found a beer I liked,” Ava says.
“The flavor of beer is an acquired taste and it's not for everyone. Just like wine isn’t for everyone. I hate that stuff.”
I want Porter to know that I’ve at least tried his product. “I haven't drunk a lot of beer, but I tried Lovibond’s apricot ale a few weeks ago. I really liked it.”
“Women tend to like that one. It's a bit on the sweeter side. I bet you’ll love the sweet potato cream stout for the fall.”
Dillyn slaps her hand on the table. “Sweet potato cream stout? You've got to be shitting me. Sounds like something you’d serve at Thanksgiving.”
“It will most certainly be served at Thanksgiving. People will begin formulating recipes using it as one of the ingredients the minute it hits the shelves. You wouldn't believe the cupcake recipes people send us that use our beer as one of the main ingredients.”
“Have you ever tried any of the recipes?” Ava asks.
“I haven’t—I can't cook worth a damn—but our office manager, Molly, tries them out regularly. She always brings samples. My favorite so far has been chocolate stout cupcakes.”
“Chocolate stout cupcakes. Now that’s the kind of beer I could consume.”
We chat for a while, and I check the time as we finish off the last of our drinks. “Concert starts in fifty minutes. I don't think we have time for another.”
Porter looks at his watch. “I don't think so either. Not if we want to get there in time to grab a drink and find our seats before the lights go down.”
“Where are your seats?” Ava asks.
“Fourth row.” I squelch my grin.
She lifts a brow. “Fourth row, which section?”
“The exact one you're thinking.”
She playfully kicks me under the table. “You lucky bitch.”
I point at Porter. “All this guy’s doing.”
“Fourth-mutha-fucking-row. What kind of job performance is she giving you at the brewery to earn seats that close to the stage?”
I cannot believe Ava just asked him that.
“O…kay. We’re done here.” Ava’s mouth is getting a little too loose. That means it’s time to fly, so I lift my hand to gain the server’s attention. “We're ready for our check please.”
“Everything on one ticket?”
“Yes,” Porter quickly answers. “I’ve got this.”
“I told you I was paying for the drinks.”
He winks and smiles. “Maybe next time.”
Next time?
He signs the receipt and places the bill facedown on the table. “I texted my driver. He'll be here in three minutes.”
Dillyn’s full attention has been captured. “You have a driver?”
“He's not mine personally. Lovibond uses a driving service for events. I've made friends with one of the guys and I reach out to him on an as-needed basis to drive me when I know I'll be having drinks. You're welcome to ride with us.”
“That's really nice of you, but I've already planned for that one glass of wine to be it for me tonight. We have to drive back to Tuscaloosa after the concert.”
We say our goodbyes since we aren’t likely to run into one another at the amphitheatre.
“It was great meeting you, Porter. And thank you for the drinks.”
“No problem.”
“I’m glad we were able to get together before the show.” I've missed these girls like crazy
.
“We miss you, Frankee. Being apart doesn't feel right. You need to come to Tuscaloosa more often.”
“Maybe I can come next weekend.”
“Please try.” Ava presses her mouth to my ear when we hug. “He wants you, and you are a dumbass if you don't go home with him tonight.”
He’s standing right there. We can't have this conversation. “Okay. Drive carefully.”
I hug Dillyn, and she does the same thing. “He's really cute. And nice. I like him a lot. You should go for it—that summer fling we talked about.”
“Call or text when you get to Tuscaloosa so I’ll know you made it back safely.”
“Will do.”
A black Suburban pulls up to the curb at the very moment we are parting ways with Ava and Dillyn. “I’d call that perfect timing.”
“Ken is very punctual. It's one of the reasons I always hire him.”
It's a short ride to the amphitheatre, but I can't get Ava’s and Dillyn’s words out of my head.
He wants you, and you are a dumbass if you don't go home with him tonight.
Does Porter want me? Would going home with him even be an option tonight?
He's really cute. And nice. I like him a lot. You should go for it—that summer fling we talked about.
Yes. He is very cute and nice, and I like him a lot. Would he be open to having a summer fling with me?
Because I’m starting to become more and more open to it myself.
We’re in our seats with drinks in hand when the lights go down. The band comes on stage and I am up and out of my seat when they open with ‘Only the Young.’ I am in my element, dancing and singing every word.
Every. Word.
Zero. Shame.
“I hope you don't embarrass easily. Because I'm probably going to sing every one of these songs.”
“Have at it. That's why we're here—to have a good time”
The band is in between songs, and I stop to get a drink of cold beer. “Wow. I didn't realize beer tasted so good when you're hot.”
“It's a definite thirst quencher.”
“I can already tell that I'm going to need another one of these.”
Porter joggles his tallboy. “I’m almost empty. I can make a beer run. Want one or two?”
“Are you double fisting?”
“Definitely. I hate to miss half of the show standing in line for drinks.”