Page 11 of Flights and Sights

I opened at noon as usual and with Tommy and me closing together the night before, there was very little to do to get the taproom ready for the day. Once I’d unlocked the door, I perched on a stool behind the bar and turned the nearest TV on to watch sports coverage of last night’s baseball games. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice a customer approaching the door until the chime sounded when the door opened.

I glanced up and relief flooded through me like a cool wave.

Callum.

“You came back,” I said, trying not to sound overly excited.

He nodded and gave me a shy smile, sliding onto a stool in front of me. “I did. You weren’t kidding with I Mead More. I was hoping to get a bottle to take back with me.”

“Of course. Can I get you… anything else?” I wasn’t trying to sound suggestive, but it sure as hell came out that way.

His cheeks flushed pink and he glanced at his hands before looking back up at me. He gave me an uncertain look, brow furrowed slightly, his hazel eyes bright, his lips pressed together. He opened his mouth to speak, hesitated, and looked at the menu board. “Maybe a four-ounce pour, too?”

“Coming right up.” I grabbed a glass and poured his drink before setting it in front of him. “I’m really glad you came back.”

“Me too,” he murmured before taking a sip of the mead. “I’m sorry I didn’t text.”

I waved away his protest. “It’s fine. I—”

“I wanted to,” he said, interrupting me. “I just got caught up in family drama last night and I didn’t… I don’t know.”

“Family drama? You’re welcome to vent, if you need to.” We didn’t know each other that well, but I felt drawn to him, to offer my listening ear, not because I felt like I had to, but because I genuinely wanted to get to know him. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other as I realized “I’ll listen to your family drama” didn’t particularly scream “Just a summer fling.”

He sighed deeply and took another sip. “My shitty ex is apparently dating one of my cousins now.”

I grimaced. “Yikes.”

“I know. And now I have to face him over and over for the next month at the reunion events, because they both live near here and can drive in every weekend for the festivities.”

Him. Well that was good news, at least. “Double yikes.” I shook my head. It sounded like a soap opera, a miserable time for poor Cal. “Do you still… you know…”

He shook his head vehemently. “I definitely don’t still have feelings for him. First, we broke up, like, almost ten years ago. Besides that, he’s a total asshole. But if I see him—when I see him—people are going to start asking why I don’t have a partner yet.” He briefly scrubbed his hands over his face. “This is a nightmare. This is why I hate these stupid reunions.”

“Because of your ex?”

“My family still asks why we broke up, why I couldn’t just give him a second chance. I don’t know why he’s such a golden boy around here. Well, that’s not true. I do know. He’s got money.” He paused for a second. “No, that sounds terrible. My family, we’re not just gold diggers or anything. It’s just, Jacob is rich and beautiful, and powerful in the way rich and beautiful people are, and he’s charming and…” He put his face in his hands again and groaned. “I hate everything.”

“Hey.” I put my hand on his arm. “Hey.”

He looked up at me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dump all this on you.”

I waved his apology away again. “Don’t. I’m happy to listen.”

“What a cliche. Spilling my guts to a bartender.”

I put my hand on my chest in mock pain. “Hey, ouch. I’m not just a bartender.” That got a smile out of him and I patted his arm again. “Can I help at all?”

“Not unless you want to be my boyfriend for the next month,” he said miserably into his glass.

My stomach flipped at the thought. I let his suggestion hang in the air and a laugh bubbled out of me as I considered it. He’d been joking, right? Certainly he didn’t truly want—or need—me to come rescue him from facing down a terrible ex-boyfriend. Right? “I mean… I wouldn’t say no, if that’s what you need.”

Cal’s gaze snapped up to meet mine and he shook his head quickly. Too quickly. “No. It’s fine. I’ll be fine. I was just kidding.”

“Okay.” I glanced at the door, which chimed as someone entered the taproom. I gave the newcomer a bright smile. “Come on in and make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right with you.” I lowered my voice and dipped my head low to speak to Cal. “Anything you need. I’m happy to help.”

Anything you need. The words sounded more suggestive than I’d meant them to, but I wasn’t going to rush to correct myself.

Cal stayed at the bar as I helped the new customer, continuing to sip his drink slowly, alternating between scrolling on his phone and glancing at the TV to watch the baseball game. He stayed a long time, through a second glass, until we were alone in the taproom again. “No Tommy today?”