Page 17 of So Right
She grinned. “Always. How late did you work tonight?”
“Seven. I cut out early.”
She laughed. “Slacker.”
He couldn’t help but smile. Okay, maybe this wasn’t awkward. They could be friends. He was glad.
“Be right back,” Mick said. “The Crossbow keg just blew.” He unhooked the empty, hefted up over his shoulder, and headed toward the back.
Luke sipped his drink again. “It’s a good thing you turned me down the other night. I don’t think either one of us has time to date.”
Her smile faded, but she nodded. “Very true. And now I have a houseguest. My grandmother is here visiting from Chehalis.”
He turned on the barstool to face her. “Is that good or bad?”
“Oh, it’s great. It was a surprise, but I’m thrilled to have her here. She’s probably the person I feel closest to in the whole world.”
He could hear the love in her tone and thought her grandmother must be pretty special. “Lucky her,” he said softly.
She blushed slightly. “Yeah, well, we’re just close.”
“That’s nice. How long will she be here?”
“I’m not sure. She doesn’t know either. She’s currently without a home, actually. She sold her property last spring and was staying with my folks until she couldn’t stand it anymore.”
Luke thought of his own situation. “I can so relate.”
Kelsey’s brow shot up. “Oh?”
“I live in a nine-hundred-square-foot house with my brother. One bathroom. You do the math.”
She made a face. “Yikes. I get you.”
Luke picked up his mug. “Well, it’s nice she has you to turn to. Ah, here comes Mick, carrying that keg like it’s a nearly weightless blanket.”
“I’ll go hiking with you.”
Luke had brought the mug to his mouth, but his hand stilled. He peered at her over the rim, wondering if he’d heard her correctly or if his hopes had made him hear something that hadn’t been said. “What?”
“I said I’d go hiking with you. On Monday.”
Warmth spread through his chest as he took a sip of his drink. He set the mug back down on the bar. “Okay. Great. I’ll pick you up at ten. Do you have a hydration pack?”
She shook her head. “I don’t. Should I get one?”
“No, I have extras. And don’t worry about food—I’ll take care of everything. Any food allergies?”
She shook her head again.
“Where should I pick you up? I don’t know where you live.”
She gestured toward the door. “Across the street, basically—over the hair salon. I’ll meet you outside.”
He smiled at her, so glad he’d decided to come here tonight. “Perfect.”
Mick had hooked up the new keg and now brought the two pints over to Kelsey. “Here you go. One Maid Marion cider and one Crossbow fresh off the brand new keg.”
“Thanks, Mick.” She pushed her hair back behind her ear and swept up the glasses. She looked toward Luke. “See you Monday.”
