Page 19 of Rim Shot Rebound

“No.” She shook her head and stalled. She couldn’t think of a single reason on the fly to get herself out of this situation. “It was a really thoughtful idea. I’m just…I’m surprised you remembered that.”

She racked her brain trying to come up with a reason why she didn’t want to be here anymore. And really, it was a great idea. She loved facility tours like this. But the tour itself wasn’t what she was dreading. The real terror was the part where she’d have to explain why she didn’t want to test out microbrews with him.

Eric tilted his head, now taking on more of a puppy vibe than a cat. “Of course I remembered. I remember everything.”

“There was a lot of not-fun stuff to remember.” Shit. She didn’t mean to blurt that out.

Before Eric and after a childhood of being bounced from family to family, she’d wondered if she’d ever feel like she was truly wanted, and her fear of disappointment and rejection drove her to keep everyone at a distance. But Eric had changed that. She’d let him in, and he’d showered her with love and made her feel safe, secure, wanted.

And then he took all of that away.

“I know,” he said.

You could have taken a photo of his anguished eyes and crestfallen face right then and there and slapped a copy of it next to the word “guilty” in the dictionary. And really, she didn’t mean to make him feel bad. It’s just that she didn’t want any revisionist history between them. Sure, they could be friends. Or whatever. But there was no painting over the fact that their history wasn’t all fun and games.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I do appreciate that you remembered.” And she did. She appreciated it more than she could let even herself acknowledge. Because acknowledging how much that meant to her opened the door for more appreciation. And there was a lot to appreciate when Eric was around.

“I’d better sign us in before they start. I knew I was cutting it close, and this is the last tour of the day.”

While she watched his long legs carry him forward, she felt that old familiar flutter in her chest. The one that led to nothing good.

Okay, that was a complete lie. There had been so much good between them. That’s why everything else had hurt so damn much. That’s why the idea of a fun afternoon with Eric was so damn appealing.

And so utterly terrifying.

 

* * * * *

 

Kelsey stood close to Eric and stared up at the giant fermentation tank, while the tour guide answered a question about their use of dry hops. Even after a long day in the sun and with the wind blowing in through the open warehouse door behind them and the yeasty foam escaping into a bucket beside Eric’s foot, she could still smell his cologne. Spicy and clean. Eric’s scent.

Her mind went to places it shouldn’t as she felt her body drawn to his. All she wanted to do was step just a little closer, wrap her arm around his, and rest her head against his shoulder.

Instead, she took a step away and refocused her attention on the guide, who was now motioning for them to follow him to the brewing tanks around the corner.

“Want a taste?” Eric held out his glass. “This is the new one they just put out today.”

She’d managed to avoid ordering a beer to drink on the tour by claiming she’d gotten too much sun during their gig. For once, being pale as a ghost had a payoff.

“No thanks. Getting a headache.”

His smile faded, and concern settled into his brow. “I’m sorry. This was a bad idea.”

She shook her head adamantly. Then, without thinking, she did slip her arm around his. “No, really. It was a great idea. This is all fascinating.”

He looked down at her hand gripping his arm. Kelsey began to pull away, but he put a reassuring hand on hers, wrapping his long, rough fingers over top.

Together, they followed the heavily bearded man still talking about beer, and as interesting as it had been up until now, Kelsey could barely concentrate on a word he said. They finished the tour and everyone gathered back in the taproom.

Eric put his empty glass on the counter and gestured at the register. “Still not in the mood for anything?”

She glanced at the chalkboard menus on the wall and wished they were standing here a few months ago. She’d have loved to try that new brew with the tart cherry, strawberry, and cranberry. It sounded perfect for spring. But that wasn’t an option for her. She’d been feeling better the last couple days, like maybe she’d turned a corner with this whole morning sickness thing, or it was at least isolated to mornings now. Unfortunately, feeling better only meant she really wanted that beer.

“I’m gonna pass. I don’t want this headache to turn into something worse.” Saved by a history of migraines. Who knew pregnancy would make her grateful for pale, sunburn-prone skin and debilitating headaches?

“I’m sorry. We should go if you aren’t feeling well.”

---