Page 6 of Delayed
“Ha! He’s sparked that thought for many anattractive lady with a Harry Potter fetish. In fact, I think hedoes it intentionally now. But he’s quite brilliant.”
“Impressive. I can’t believe I ran into you.This is so cool.” She scrolled further down the page to read theshort blurb about the three men who started brewing beer in thegarage of the house they rented together in college.
“So, you’re a fan of the winter stout. Is itthe inky black coffee flavor or the hints of chocolate that pullyou in?” He curled his fingers around several strands of herhair.
A tingling sensation traveled from her scalpdown her spine.
“Both.” The word came out breathy. “It’s sosmooth. I can only have two because of the alcohol content, but Ilove every sip.”
“It’s great to hear. The typical balmyweather of Florida doesn’t necessarily bring winter stout to mindbut we export our beers to restaurants and bars across the countrynow. It’s one of our top sellers. Even in Florida.” His irises litup as he talked about the beer and the brewery, clearly hispassion.
“I’m sure I increased its sales numbers atThe Bay Bar.”
“So, The Bay Bar, eh? I guess that meansyou’re in Tampa.” He thrust his shoulders back and his chest outlike he’d just received a gold medal.
Belatedly, she hadn’t even realized she’drevealed where she lived.
He jutted his chin toward her purse restingon her suitcase. “Give me your number and I’ll call you the nexttime I’m in the area.”
“I’ve been meaning to make the trek toOrlando to visit the brewery.”
“Even more reason to exchange numbers. Wecan meet at The Bay Bar for a pint. Or when you come to Orlando, Ican give you a personal tour.”
“Hmmm. Should I give my phone number to acomplete stranger?” She cocked an eyebrow. She wasn’t a stranger toflirting. In fact, she used to be quite good at it, but her careerkept her so occupied over the last few years that her love lifewasn’t just lacking. It was non-existent.
“We’re not really strangers anymore, arewe?” His words were playful. “I mean we’re drinking pints together,and I’d never do that with someone I hadn’t at least exchanged somepleasantries.”
Anna chuckled. Not only was Rex a gorgeousman, but she enjoyed his sense of humor. She found it hard to wipethe grin off her face this entire conversation.
“Okay.” She recited her digits and he inputher contact information in his phone.
The chime of hers sounded from her purse.She glanced down before shifting her gaze in his direction to seehis phone pressed against his ear. She reached down and extractedhers, answering his call.
“Hello,” she said, feeling completelyridiculous with him standing right before her.
“Hello, Anna.” His voice sounded rough likesomething were lodged in his throat. “This is Rex. You know, hot,sexy Rex from the Grand Rapids airport. Co-owner of Dog TiredBrewery.”
She rolled her eyes, and her cheeksflushed.
“First, I wanted to make sure you gave meyour legit digits and not your octogenarian neighbor’s, two housesdown.” The corners of his mouth pulled up into a grin. “But I alsowanted you to have my number as well, so when I call you, you willanswer your phone and not think it’s some robocall or some otheruninvited solicitation.”
A lightness spread over her, making her feelalmost weightless. It’d been a long time since someone flirted withher like this. And even longer since she actually enjoyed it.
“I know you’re a bit down about being stuckhere in the frigid state of Michigan, but I admit, I’m quite happyto have met you.” He ended the call and slipped his phone back inhis pocket.
“Are you going to call me incessantly?” sheteased.
“Do you mind?” His grin took over his faceand had her laughter erupt.
Instead of replying, she saved his number inher contacts and slipped her phone back into her purse.
A flurry of white caught her attention. “Ohno! Look!” She pointed to the wall of windows at the far end of therestaurant. She’d heard the term white-out, but she’d never seenone with her own eyes. Snow blew past the window in sheets, makingit impossible to see anything but white.
“That sucks.” He didn’t sound the least bitannoyed by the blizzardlike conditions.
“How long has this been going on?” Sheglanced around at the other customers. Like her, they’d turned topeer out the windows at the snowstorm. Their faces looked glum.
“I don’t know. I was immersed in ourconversation. Wasn’t paying attention.”
