Page 20 of Brewing Brilliance

“Tash, it’s fine. And next time you have a test, please give me a heads up and I will make sure you’re not working the late shift. School is important and I don’t want you being here late to be a reason you might not do well on a test or an assignment.” She tears up before straightening her spine and there’s the fight I’m used to seeing in her.

“Thank you so much, Sir. Um, sorry again for interrupting.” Before I can say anything else, she races off. I still have an arm around Spencer, but she gives me a little squeeze before taking a step back.

“That was really sweet how you handled that situation, Mav. What’s Tash’s story? She seems like a sweet kid, if not a little terrified.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. She showed up out of the blue one day and asked for a job. I was a little hesitant just because she looked too young, but she insisted on an interview and even did a trial run that day to prove that she could do it. She worked so hard for me that night that I paid her and the other staff chipped in part of their tips for her. She hasn’t really gotten close to anyone, but she busts her ass, and we all feel a little protective of her.”

“She was pretty jumpy when she started, but she has seemed to relax some and is finally opening up a little bit. She told us that she’s going to the community college, and she has her residence listed at the dorms, so I at least know she’s got a safe space. But, I have noticed she only ever wears the one pair of beat up sneakers and maybe two or three different pants or shorts, so when I can without her knowing, I sneak in more money here or there. I also insist that she has her free meal and takes a break so that I know she’s at least fed well when she’s here.”

“I don’t know her story or where she came from, but I’m hoping to show her that I am here for her, and she can count on me. It’s hard since I’m her boss, but I want her to know that I’m a safe space for her.”

“That’s really amazing, Maverick. Not all people would notice those things or try and help any way they can like you do.”

“It’s what any decent human being should do. Besides, if Olive was ever in a situation like that without me being around, I’d want someone looking out for her, even if she didn’t think she needed it or could depend on anyone.”

“Well, I still think it’s pretty great. But I am exhausted, and that’s the second time I’ve humped your leg in public today, so I think it’s about time I head home.”

I can’t help but burst out laughing at her remark. While it is true, I’m glad she was able to lighten up the conversation a little bit. I just nod my head and grab her hand and head for the door. Her car is parked in front of the bar, so I walk her to it and give her a chaste kiss so that I don’t end up fucking her against her car in front of my brewery.

“Text me when you get home, okay?” She just nods before closing her car door and driving home. I run my hands through my hair and let out a deep breath. I’m so unbelievably fucked. I may have proposed this to be a fake dating situation, but I’m not stubborn enough to lie and say I want it to stay that way.

I want Spencer. I want her in my bed, but I also want to spend time with her, hear her laugh, make her blush, and treat her the way she deserves to be treated. I know we have our rules, but I think she’s just as into me as I am into her. I don’t see what the issue would be if we made it official. Well, other than risk her breaking my heart, but I don’t think she would ever cheat on me like Bianca did. Fuck, I’m a mess.

I head back into the bar to clean up our table and am surprised to find Gage behind the bar waiting on the last few stragglers who are finishing up their drinks. I give him a head nod before I head back to the kitchen with a load of dishes. Thankfully the staff aren’t done with cleaning up, so I feel like less of a dick for dropping off our dirty dishes. I head back out and grab all the romantic shit and go toss it in my office. You never know when it might come in handy.

All done with cleaning up any trace of our date, I head back out to the bar to help with closing and to insist that anyone left needs to head out. When I get there, it looks like Gage has gotten everyone out and the front door is locked and the open sign is off. I fall in with him in getting the bar cleaned up and prepped for tomorrow. I’m surprised he waited as long as he did before breaking the silence, but then my friend also has never been verbose.

“So, that was Spencer?”

“Obviously.”

He puts his hand up in a move to show he’s innocent, but I know he’s about to be all up in my shit so I can’t help being a little defensive.

“Hey man, just trying to make conversation. She’s pretty and it seemed like your date went well.”

“It did. It was fucking perfect. Why were you out here behind the bar instead of sulking in the back like you usually do?” He punches me in the arm as I walk past and I suppose I deserve that.

“Well, the manager on shift was completely oblivious that the bar was fucking slammed, so Tash came and asked me if I could help out. I think she was about to pass out she seemed so terrified. I couldn’t not help her after she was brave enough to ask.”

“Fuck, the bar was slammed? I honestly didn’t notice. Sorry for making you come out of hiding to help.” He just laughs at me and shakes his head. “You’re such a dick. I noticed that you were in your own little world. And the bar was busy, but nothing too crazy. They just needed a little help keeping up and they didn’t want to interrupt your date. Anyone with eyes could see that it was going really well. And believe me, there were a lot of people noticing.”

“Really? People were curious about our date?”

“Dude, you can’t be that clueless. It’s a well known fact that you don’t date and haven’t dated since you’ve been here. All of the women were curious to see who the lucky one was to finally snag Maverick. And not only snag you, but be on the very romantic date that you had set up.”

“Well, I suppose that’s a good thing that a lot of people saw us together. It won’t be long until everyone in town knows we’re dating. Looks like the fake dating is working out.”

“Seriously. You’re going to try and tell me that was a fake date and there were absolutely no feelings involved?”

Feeling uncomfortable, but needing to get my feelings for Spencer off my chest, I know Gage is the perfect person to confide in. I take a deep breath and scrub my hand through my beard before spilling my guts to my best friend.

“Fuck, no man. That was not a fake date. I was so nervous before she got here that she would be resentful that I had to set up a date at my business just in case anyone needed anything, but she loved it. And thank you for stepping up when I was distracted. I really appreciate it. That was honestly the best date I’ve ever had. I don’t know what it is about her, but she just draws me in and it’s so easy and natural. I feel like I can just be myself and that she doesn’t expect any more than that.”

“That sounds fucking amazing, man. So, what are you going to do about it?”

“Fuck if I know. I want to date her for real, but that’s not what she signed up for. I’m not sure she would be okay with dating for real since she doesn’t think I’m a forever man. And honestly, I thought I could never be that guy again, but she makes me want to try. I just don’t know what the fuck to do.”

“Show her. Keep being yourself and show her the man you truly are. Go on the dates, be there for her when she has a shit day at work, make her dinner or breakfast, but use all the skills that you have to show her you can be that man. And if you really want to go wild, explain to her how your fear of getting hurt again is the reason why you decided to be an eternal bachelor who was never going to settle down or date seriously ever again.”

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