Chapter 12 #2
“No argument there. Bran kept working while Caitlyn was between jobs, though, and he managed the sale of their house. I think they both have worked hard to set up the life they wanted.”
“Fair enough,” Silas said, relaxing a fraction. “I didn’t know the whole story. Caitlyn certainly is in love with him. I can tell they’re the real deal.”
“Are some couples you marry not the real deal?”
“A whole lot of them, unfortunately.”
“Wow. It’s a big commitment, though.”
He shrugged. “Some people take it too lightly. They’re not ready for it, but they go along because it seems like the next step and they’re not ready to face the fact they’re not actually compatible.”
“Silas is jaded, if you hadn’t caught that yet,” Maverick put in.
“I’ve picked up a few hints,” I said. “Like how he won’t go on a second date with me.”
Jamie looked surprised. “Oh, Sy, but you were so upset when—”
“Let’s change the subject,” Silas interrupted. “Bryson, how is your store setup going?”
“It’s coming along,” I said. “We’ve got some inventory delays that are holding us up, but I’ve still got plenty to keep me busy.”
“What kind of store?” Jamie asked.
“Outdoors. Supplies for camping, fishing, river tubing. Stuff like that.”
His eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s really cool. My dad loves to fish, and he always has to go to Riverton if he doesn’t want the super basic supplies at the hardware store. He’ll be really excited to have something local.”
I grinned. “I sure hope so. We’ve had a few folks stop in and ask questions. So far, they seem pretty interested.”
“When are you opening?” Silas asked.
“Right after the honeymoon.”
“You guys must be really busy with the wedding and the store,” Silas said. “Makes me wonder how you made time to come tour the Grand View Hotel.”
His eyes seemed to be full of questions. But what was the right answer? Did he want to believe I’d made time for him or would that just scare him away?
I shrugged. “My Best Man duties are important too.”
He smiled tentatively. “As a wedding planner, I approve of that statement.”
A server arrived with my plate of tacos. It was a huge serving, but I’d happily die under that pile of goodness.
I tore into the first one, a chicken adobo with a spicy sauce that was divine. I moaned appreciatively. “Wow. These really are good.”
“They’re addictive,” Silas murmured.
“Is this what you order here?”
“No. The salad.”
“Silas enjoys denying himself,” Maverick said. “He resists all sorts of things that would be good.”
“I disagree. Those tacos would be bad for me and my tailored suits. It’s not smart to indulge in everything we want.”
“Sometimes it’s worth it,” Jamie said quietly.
The conversation drifted from my work at the store to the latest dog grooming story from Jamie. He didn’t groom them, but his boyfriend did, and he was there to witness a lot of the work now that he sold his homemade dog treats there.
“Sam Murphy brought in a raccoon and insisted it was a Bichon frise until Hank gave up and groomed it.”
“You’re kidding!” Maverick exclaimed. “Aren’t there rules against that?”
“I don’t know,” Jamie said. “The little guy was really tame, though. He only growled once. I told Hank to wear extra protection. Can you imagine if he got bit?”
“Rabies shots suck,” I put in. “I’ve had to do it.”
Silas turned to me. “What? When?”
Was that concern in his voice?
“I was just a kid. Went chasing after a squirrel when I should have left it alone. Got bit and a whole series of rabies shots for my troubles. Not to mention, my mother lectured me for two hours about being reckless.”
“Good for her,” Silas said. “Where was Branson during all this?”
“Getting lectured for letting me be so reckless,” I said.
Everyone laughed.
“He’s the responsible one, huh?” Silas said. “You’re the free spirit?”
“I don’t know about free spirit, but spirited, yeah. Especially as a kid. I guess I follow my heart, you know? I go where it leads me.” I met Silas’s gaze. “Sometimes it leads me into trouble.”
A server arrived with the checks then, diverting all our focus to paying for our meals. I had to get a box for my heaping share of leftover tacos, and Silas waited with me while his friends discreetly took off.
Leaving us alone on purpose?
“I’m sorry,” Silas said quietly. “I didn’t mean to mislead you.”
“No, you didn’t.” I closed the lid of my box. “That’s not what I meant at all. I just sometimes leap before properly looking. If anything, this is my fault for rushing in, heart on my sleeve, without considering what you wanted.”
I stood and grabbed my coat, shoving my arms through the sleeves while Silas wound a deep purple scarf around his neck. It was still cold at night this time of year.
“Well, to be fair, you met me on a matchmaker app. You must have expected me to be more open to romance.”
“A little, yeah.” I smiled gamely. “But you were pretty honest when we met.” I gestured toward the door. “Can I walk you out?”
His lips quirked. “Well, we’re going the same way. Might as well walk together.”
I picked up my to-go box and followed him to the door. When we stepped outside, a brisk wind smacked us in the face. Silas’s hair barely moved. That man used a lot of styling products. My messy curls were blowing straight into my eyes, though.
Silas laughed and brushed my hair out of my face. “Can you even see through all this mess?”
My gaze locked on his. “I see pretty clearly right now.”
“Bryson…”
“You’re in charge, Silas. I’m not—”
He cut off my words with a swift kiss. His nose was cold as it brushed my cheek, but his mouth was decadently warm.
“Goodnight, Bryson.”
“That’s it? Goodnight?”
“You’re too tempting. So, yeah, I’ve got to go. I can’t complicate everything right now. I need to focus on your brother’s wedding.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason you’re walking away?”
“Tonight, it is.”
“And when the wedding’s over?”
“I don’t know. I can’t think about that right now.”
“Okay. Play it your way, Silas. I’m not giving up on you.”
He surged forward, kissing me once more, then spun on his heel and walked away.
I lifted my fingers to touch my smiling lips. He might have brushed me off, but there was a lot less ice in his rejection. Silas wanted to let me in. I just had to figure out how to help him do it.