Page 20 of Inside Silence
“Ah, I am, but you’ve got me at a disadvantage. I know most everyone who’s ever as much as looked at a hammer, but I can’t recall you. Trust me, I would’ve remembered.”
The woman’s suggestive scrutiny combined with those words teases a chuckle from me. She reminds me of some of the women I’ve dated over the years. Generally uncomplicated, easy, and fun while it lasted, which was never that long. That was just fine by me.
After burning my bridges here in Silence, I ended up getting caught on the rebound by Tate’s mother, Charlene. The pregnancy had been her attempt at getting what she wanted from me when it was more than I’d been prepared to give. It backfired on her because, although I did stick around for the baby, Charlene and I were done.
I can’t bitch and moan about it too much, because I got Tatum out of the deal and she is everything.
But it did make me a bit more cautious with my choices after that, and I made sure any woman I dated understood I was not in the market for anything permanent.
There’s only one person who would ever fit that bill, but I burned her too. Despite the grain of hope sprouting that perhaps there might be something to salvage here in Silence, it looks like I may have been too little and too late.
So when the pretty woman with the great curves beams an even better smile at me, I lean forward with my elbows on the counter.
“I stopped in for some drywall compound and tape, but for your information, I swing a mean hammer, and I’ll be happy to introduce myself properly over a cup of coffee or a drink sometime.”
Chapter 7
Nate
* * *
This was a mistake.
I know it as soon as we sit down in a booth at The Brew House.
The scene here is a little too hip for me and the crowd is on the young side. I suggested it, because it was new since I was here last, and I figured I couldn’t go wrong with a brewery and taproom. Not to mention, the only other option would be The Kerrigan Pub, which has been around since before I was born, and was always the local hangout for the old sheriff and his cronies. I have no desire to bump into any of them, not when I’m taking a pretty girl out for a drink.
Except, that was probably a mistake as well.
It seemed like a good idea, a nice distraction for what otherwise might have turned into a night of solo drinking to nurse the sting of rejection I have no right to feel, but Ginny is not the right solution.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s a knockout and clearly in the market for a little diversion, but she also owns the local hardware and supply store. I’m a contractor who does not want to have to drive into Spokane, wasting a couple of hours, whenever I need a box of screws or some duct tape, only to avoid her when whatever this might be is over.
Also, she is not Savvy.
There are so many things wrong with this situation I created.
It started when I walked out of the house, followed by the look of disappointment on Tatum’s face when I mentioned I was going out for a drink, and now I’m sitting here, waiting for a server to show up and take our order, realizing I suck at this parenting shit. Or maybe I just suck at life in general.
“That bad, huh?”
I lift my head and meet Ginny’s eyes. The look in them is sympathetic, so instead of insulting her by pretending nothing is wrong, I opt for honesty.
“I’m sorry. It’s just, I realize I’m here with you for all the wrong reasons, and it isn’t fair to you.”
She waves me off with her hand and shakes her head, chuckling.
“My…you are a serious one, aren’t you?” Then she leans forward, patting my forearm resting on the table. “Honey, you need to lighten up a little. When you walked into the store earlier—wearing that serious look on your face—I was just flirting with you a little to see if I could get you to crack a smile. You did me one better than that and offered a drink. I’m not gonna say no to a drink with a handsome guy like you. I may be a fool on occasion, but I’m not an idiot. Besides, you looked like you could use a friend, and I’m always in the market to expand my slim circle.”
I search her eyes for any sign she might be covering up hurt feelings, but all I see is open honesty. When I blow out an audible sigh of relief, she laughs, the sound as bold and attractive as the woman herself. It puts a grin on my face.
“Yessss. There it is,” she claims triumphantly as she points at my face.
“Good evening, folks.” The server is a young Black guy with a friendly smile. “What can I get you?” He points at two massive blackboards on the wall behind the bar listing names of what I assume are the resident brews on one of them, and the other lists choices of easy pub grub. “We have ales and IPAs at the top, followed by our selection of lagers, and if you’re looking for a bolder flavor, we have a sweet German-style bock and a dark stout. Of course you’re welcome to try a selection of your choice with our three or five glass tasting flight.”
Ginny indicates for me to go first, perhaps waiting to see if I’ll pass on drinks with her after all.
“Line me up three of your favorites,” I tell the guy, adding, “and maybe bring us that fried combo platter to share.” It basically offers a sampling of everything on the menu. A little belatedly, I turn to my companion. “If that’s okay with you?”
