Page 4 of Eternal Hoptimist

“It’s no reflection on your considerable charm, I promise you. I’m on a dating hiatus, so I couldn’t be the boyfriend he’s searching for. Though, I suppose it’s good luck to start the new year doing a nice deed. If I keep talking to you, maybe your assistant will give you a break.”

“’Tis the season for compassion and charity.” His wry smile pulled me in.

“What kind of work do you do that frowns upon singleness?” I leaned my elbow on the bar, staying in his space. His knees brushed the fronts of my thighs.

“I’m a boring lawyer.” He waved a hand like he didn’t want to talk about his job. “What do you do?”

“Hospitality management.” I’d quickly learned after opening the brewery to be careful about telling strangers where I worked because it made me easily findable. I cringed, thinking about a guy I’d met speed dating who said his horoscope foretold he would meet the love of his life on the full moon while wearing green. Unfortunately, I’d worn a green Henley, and it had been a full moon. The guy seemed nice enough, but his DMs to the brewery Instagram were sketchy. My job became “hospitality” from then on.

“I bet your gorgeous smile does wonders in your line of work.”

I fanned myself. “Who needs a matchmaking assistant when you’ve got lines like that?”

In the dark bar, I saw the flush on the guy’s cheeks. “Did you come here with anyone?”

“My friends, but they’re off dancing or doing other things.” Or people.

“So, I’m not keeping you?”

“Not at all. This far surpasses people-watching while awkwardly standing alone.”

He smirked. “I’m glad I’m a step up from being alone.”

“So far, yes, but don’t push your luck.”

With another drink down, I sat on the stool next to his and our knees alternated between each other’s as we told random and awkward stories about our lives. It was freeing to talk to someone without assessing them for fit as a significant other. I didn’t whip out the mental checklist I’d honed over the years of traits I wanted or concessions I’d willingly make becauseI had a great feeling about this one. Instead, we simply talked, laughed, and teased each other.

“Your prom story is so tame compared to mine.” I groaned.

He gestured for me to continue with his free hand while his chin rested in the other. He’d been smiling almost nonstop. I wondered if his cheeks were as fatigued as mine.

“In high school, I asked someone to prom because they’d been leaving love notes in my locker. Despite prom being weeks away, I rented the tux and a limo before asking them out. I even put together an elaborate promposal involving a song I wrote for them.”

He grimaced. “Why do I sense this is about to take a sharp turn?”

“Because it is. I put on a Cupid outfit and approached them in the middle of lunch.”

He squeezed his eyes closed. “This is like a train wreck.” He opened one eye to a squint. “Keep going.”

“I busted out my song, and about ten of the most popular kids in school gaped at me. Turned out she’d been putting the letters in the wrong locker. They were meant for the football player with a locker next to mine. But, hey, I hear they’re married with kids now.”

For several long moments, he blinked at me with his mouth hanging wide open. “That’s the kind of shit that’ll put someone in therapy.”

“Oh yeah, I love my therapist. He’s great.”

He tipped his head back and laughed.

I noticed the guy’s assistant behind him talking to someone. He caught me looking and winked. I lifted my drink in salute.

“He’s watching us, isn’t he?” The blond hottie shook his head.

“A passing glance. He seems otherwise occupied, but why don’t you dance with me to show him you don’t need his meddling? It’ll throw him off your scent for the rest of the night, at least.” If I was going to have casual sex with anyone, I wanted it to be a guy I’d at least vibed with for an hour or two.

His mouth slipped into a slow grin. “I won’t say no to a pity dance with you.”

“Trust me, there’s no pity.” I finished my drink, waited until he’d done the same, then grabbed his hand and led him to the middle of the dance floor. I definitely didnotthink about how well our hands fit together, because we wouldn’t be holding hands again.

An upbeat song blared through the sound system as I stepped in close and cupped his hip.

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