Page 25 of Off Limits
“Let me grab my purse and we can be on our way.” She turned to grab her clutch on the console table in the entryway and bounded out the door, locking it behind her.
They ate dinner at a southern contemporary restaurant in Thorton Park. The menu took the classic southern comfort food like chicken and dumplings or meatloaf and spun it with some lobster or panko onions. The food was delicious. Zach was easy to talk to and very interested in her. He asked a lot of questions. He listened. He made her laugh. By all intents and purposes, it was a great date.
So, why could she not stop thinking about Brady?
Damn it.
Brady wasn’t thinking about her. He was likely back at Dog Tired, flirting with some woman at the bar, flashing his crooked smile, handing over a free pint of their winter ale with the promise of something more. She’d witnessed that scene plenty of times over the years.
Her stomach twisted into a knot.
She turned to Zach, forcing casual into her tone. “Did you want to swing by my brother’s brewery?”
Even as the words left her mouth, she knew it was a petty move—a look-what-you’re-missing kind of play. But she didn’t care. Or maybe shedidcare. Either way, she wasn’t going to tiptoe around the place like she didn’t belong. Rex co-owned the brewery, and she had every right to go. Brady didn’t get to take that from her too.
“I love Dog Tired. Sure.” Zach smiled.
They pulled up to the brewery and found a spot in the back of the parking lot. Dog Tired usually hosted a local musician or band for a few hours of live music on the weekends.
Zach held the door open for her. The strum of a guitar greeted them. The singer’s voice floated through the space like bubbles. Sounded folky—a chill vibe. People sat at the long maple tables sipping their beers, listening to the music or chatting up their neighbor.
Rex stood at the bar talking to a guy she didn’t recognize. When he looked up and saw her, he smiled and waved her over. Zach followed her through the table maze with his hand at her low back.
“Janey, what brings you in tonight?” He stepped around the bar and enveloped her in a hug. He’d been calling her Janey since she could remember. It made her feel like a little girl. No one else could use the nickname, but she made an exception for her brother.
She gave her brother a squeeze. “Zach and I went out to dinner and thought we’d swing by here to see what was happening.” She pulled back. “Zach’s a big fan.”
Zach stepped forward and held out his hand. “Zach Norton. So good to meet you.”
“Rex Bancroft.” Rex shook his hand. “Glad you two could swing by. The musician tonight is great. Can I grab you a beer?”
They ordered their beers and stood at the bar chatting with Rex. Rex and Zach had a love of sports, which led to some intense discussions of the Super Bowl and the predictions for this year’s Stanley Cup.
“Hey,” Taylor said, slipping behind the bar from the brewing room. He lifted his chin in the direction of Zach. “Who’s the guy?”
“Hey, T. That’s Zach. A friend from the yoga studio.”
Taylor’s eyes flicked toward the office, then back to her, one brow arched.
“What?” she asked. “You’re looking at me strange.”
“I am?” He pulled his lips into a tight line.
“Yes.” She nudged his shoulder with her own.He couldn’t know. Brady wouldn’t have told him. He wouldn’t have told a soul.
“Do you honestly think this is wise, Jane?”
“What do you mean?”
He put his arm around her shoulder and lowered his voice, “With Brady here?”
She froze. Oh, God. He had told him. “He-he told you?”
“I don’t think he meant to. But he looked wrecked, so I asked. He’s punishing himself. Seeing you in here with someone else will drive him insane.”
“I didn’t come here to torment him.”
Taylor gave her a long look, tilting his head. “Didn’t you?”
