Page 11 of Beyond The Barre

“Do you like strawberries?”

She nodded again, much more enthusiastically this time.

He grabbed a glass and started pouring from the closest tap. The bartenders beside him were busy filling orders, and he made a mental note to check the supply levels. The last thing he wanted was for the taps to run empty.

When the glass was full, he placed it on a coaster in front of her. “This is my newest blend with strawberry and rhubarb flavours.”

She raised her eyebrows, and he watched as she first smelt the drink, then took the tiniest sip. “It’s really good.”

“Are you sure? You barely tasted it.”

Something flitted across her face, almost like she was arguing with herself. “I don’t really drink, so when I do, I have to take it very slowly.”

“Ah. A lightweight.” Not surprising, really, given the size of her. He’d bet she barely ate a thing, too.

He poured himself a water and then leaned across the bar, chatting with her for a while. The conversation came so easily between them. She continued to sip the beer slowly and Linc finished his water. He wasn’t drinking tonight, even though many of his friends had wanted to toast his success. He had to set the example for his staff and keep a clear head.

Lilly sidled up next to Scarlett. He recognised the dance teacher from the pub and also from the concert. If he remembered correctly, she had been tap dancing on the stage.

“Hi, Linc.” She offered him a wave. “Congratulations. This place is fantastic.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you’re having fun. Do you need a top-up?” He pointed at her empty glass.

“Yes, please.” Lilly gave him her order, and he busied himself fixing her drinks. From the corner of his eye, he could see the two women chatting. Each of them would occasionally glance at him as though he was their topic of conversation.

If they were, he hoped they were saying good things.

Just as he was finishing the last glass, one of the staff members approached and told him they’d run out of tonic water.

He placed the drinks in front of Lilly, then turned to Scarlett. “I have to go do something. I’ll catch up with you later?”

“No problem.” She smiled reassuringly at him, and he had to forcibly tear himself away from her.

Once he’d refilled the taps and dealt with all the other issues that needed his attention, he looked at his watch. It was already approaching midnight. The crowds were still bustling, the beer still flowing, and no one seemed to have any intention of leaving until after the New Year had been rung in. The TV monitors were playing the national coverage of the festivities happening in Sydney. At midnight, the fireworks display would start on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. They wouldn’t get to see it live since Queensland wasn’t on Daylight Savings Time like the rest of the east coast, but it would be played at midnight for the state’s benefit.

He made his rounds through the patrons, collecting empty glasses and cans and chatting, making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. All the time, he kept an eye out for Scarlett.

People stared at him, women especially, and normally he took it in his stride, but something about Scarlett Matthews’ gaze, the way her lips parted as she slowly raked the length of his body, made him tense.

She had been talking to Hamish Pearson, the owner of the local coffee roastery, Maleny Roast’d, when their eyes met through the crowded room. He let his gaze linger. She was so beautiful in that soft pink flowery dress. He ached to touch that glowing skin and see if it was as soft as it looked.

And those full, pouty, pink lips.

When he’d made his way over to them, he shook Hamish’s hand. The men had been close friends for years, both entering entrepreneurship at the same time with their chosen beverages.

“I’m so happy for you, mate.” Hamish smiled broadly at him. “Greer sends her apologies that she couldn’t come. She’s home with the baby.” Fatherhood suited Hamish. He and Greer had started rather untraditionally by getting pregnant and then falling in love, but they were embracing their life together and were a beautiful family now with their son, Caleb.

It almost made Linc want a family of his own. But that would mean giving up his freedom and having to be responsible for someone else.

“No worries. I’m glad you could come,” Linc said and turned to Scarlett. “Do you two know each other?”

“Audrey introduced us.” Scarlett had to speak loudly over the crowds. “Hamish has been telling me how important Sunshine Brew is to the town and how much you give back to the community.”

Linc normally brushed off those types of compliments. Most people in Maleny gave what they could to their community by way of financial donations or by volunteering in one of the various groups or events. As a member of the APEX committee, Linc and the other blokes were often found manning the barbecues at local soccer games and at the annual country show.

His skin heated, and he hoped the redness in his cheeks wasn’t too obvious in the low lighting. “We all pitch in when we can.”

“Speaking of which,” said Hamish, “are you still on for the charity golf game next weekend?”

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