Page 22 of More Than Words
Either way, something had shifted between us.
Something I was trying very hard to ignore.
“I don’t know if you all have a future as matchmakers.”I forced a lightness into my voice.“But I sure do appreciate your commitment to meddling.”
They all laughed again, the mood once more changed, and I let myself smile a little too, ignoring the little voice in the back of my head that wondered what it might be like to put myself out there again.
The girls kept laughing as a new round of trivia started.Finally, the attention moved away from me and my love life.But I let myself drift for a bit.
Could I do it?Could I let someone in again?
What if this was different?What ifEthanwas different?
ChapterSeven
Ethan
The sky was a clear, cloudless blue, but the air was just cool enough for a sweater.The perfect day for Fall into the Plaza.And I wasn’t the only one who thought so.The plaza was packed.It looked as if the entire town, and a healthy dose of tourists, had come out for the event.
Our little corner of the plaza and our Books and Brews table had enjoyed a steady flow of visitors all day and was definitely one of the more popular tables.Not that it was a competition, but I couldn’t help but notice Delaney and I had way more visitors than Brody’s table.
Of course, my brother wasn’t offering free beer samples.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit proud of our efforts.
Okay, a lot proud.
The spinning wheel I’d built from leftover plywood scraps and had Quinn paint bright colors stood tall behind the table, its wooden pointer clicking with every spin.The oohing and aahing from onlookers every time the wheel stopped on a new genre and beer pairing had been a big part of the draw at our table.
It was a total hit.
“Historical romance and a brown ale,” I called out as the wheel clicked on the bright-blue wedge.“A classic pairing.”
Delaney laughed and handed the woman a sample of the beer before directing her to the pile of appropriate books she’d gathered.
“Are you sure you haven’t rigged the wheel?”She smiled at me after the customer moved on with her list of recommended books in hand.“I think I’ve handed out more romance titles than anything else today.”
I grinned.“What can I say?Maybe I’m a sucker for a happily ever after.”
She laughed.Soft and real, and damn if the sound didn’t go straight to my chest.Delaney looked good today.Reallygood.Her burgundy scarf brought out the pink in her cheeks from the chill in the air.Her hair was down and curled naturally around her face in a slightly wild, effortless way.
I’d caught myself looking more than I should.But I couldn’t help it; she was mesmerizing in a way I didn’t expect and had no idea what to do with.
“I thought you were more of a sci-fi, fantasy type?”She reached over and spun the wheel absentmindedly.
“I can be two things.”
She laughed again as the wheel landed on a science fiction and pale ale pairing.We both laughed easily.“What are the odds?”
“I can recommend a few selections for you.”I moved casually to the stack and pulled the first in theWheel of Timeseries.I couldn’t help but notice she’d chosen my favorite for the table.
“You don’t think I’ve read it?”
I narrowed my eyes and pretended to assess her.“I’m not sure,” I said honestly.“You don’t really strike me as the type who’s into epic fantasy.”
“Neither do you.”
“Fair point.”
