Page 21 of Eternal Hoptimist

After dinner, I loaded the dishwasher.

“Hey, man, you want to go to the brewery and get a drink before you head home? You owe me one after that stunt you pulled.”

I made sure we were alone. Closing the dishwasher, I wiped my hands on a towel, leaned back against the counter, and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m going to the brewery, but you’re not invited.”

Nate stared at me for a moment. His eyebrows bunched together, then shot toward his hairline. He punched me in the shoulder. “Do I get free beer when he becomes my brother-in-law?”

“Fuck you,” I said, laughing.

“Parker! Language!” Mom said as she entered the kitchen.

“Sorry, Mom.”

“Thanks for doing the dishes, honey.” She patted my cheek.

“No problem. Thanks for the amazing dinner. I’d better head out, though.” I gave everyone hugs, then made my way over to the brewery.

My excitement grew as I neared Main Street and the brewery. The more we texted, the more I wanted to spend time with Ethan in person. Texting didn’t let me bask in the glow of his vibrant smiles. I’d seen several of his smiles—teasing, sweet, self-deprecating, flirty—and wanted to see more. He was a heady mix of sweet and sexy. Despite being smaller than me, I knew in my gut he could easily take control. There was something commanding under his friendly demeanor. I ached to know what he was like in bed—what helikedin bed.Did we like the same things? What I suspected I would like. Was he into kink?

Those questions led to trouble. I’d made a new friend and enjoyed his company, which would make the fundraiser and anniversary gala bearable. That was all I needed to care about. If I could help his aunt in the process? Even better.

There was a parking spot on the street right in front of the brewery. I pulled in, popped a mint, and checked my hair. Through the surrounding darkness, light bathed Ethan inside the brewery as he stood behind the bar. He chatted with someone sitting on a stool. Everything about him was relaxed and in his element. Ethan’s confidence was one of the most attractive things about him.

The brewery closed in less than an hour. Even with the drive back to Portland and the long day of work ahead of me tomorrow, I wanted to spend time with him. It was worth cutting into my sleep.

There were about ten people spread out between tables and one person sitting at the bar. I recognized a couple of them as friends of my parents and said hello as I made my way to the bar. Ethan greeted me with a warm smile when he spotted me over the shoulder of the customer he was helping.

I sat near the register at the bar, figuring that would be the easiest way to chat with him.

“You made it.”

“I did. Good to see you.”

The dimples under his smile deepened. “You too. How’s your family?” He did something on the iPad but kept eye contact.

“Nosy as usual.”

“Sounds like there’s a story there. Can I get you a drink?”

I chuckled. “Nothing important. Water would be great, thanks. Do what you gotta do. I can hang out until you close.”

After pouring me a water, he winked, then took the iPad over to a table. I heard the group laughing with him.

The crowd thinned out, and two people came in to fill growlers. He greeted everyone warmly. It surprised me how many people greeted him like old friends. Ethan was the heartbeat of the brewery.

“Can I help you clean up?” I asked Ethan as he returned from locking the door once the last lingering customer left.

“You don’t have to.”

“I’m not going to sit on my ass and watch you work. It’ll go faster if I help.”

“That would be great, thanks.”

It was nice to do something not involving my laptop, papers, or meetings.

We talked about random things as I helped him clean dishes in their tiny kitchen.

“I love the hot springs too! I haven’t been there since last summer, though,” Ethan said. “I discovered it on a hiking app when I moved here. It was a great place to get away and think. Process all my freaking out about the brewery.”

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