Talk around the table turned to the winter solstice party in two days, Christmas plans, and the fact that Margo was on avalanche patrol in the morning.
Concerned about Margo’s state of mind, Thomas asked, “Do you want me to cover your shift in the morning?”
Margo swooned, “Would you? I’m sorry, I lost track of how many pitchers we had.”
He nodded, acknowledging her. “I’ll give you a ride tonight, too.”
Moments later, Brett materialized beside our table. “Excuse me for interrupting.”
Our conversation hushed. Everyone looked up at him with equal parts curiosity and wariness.
He shifted on his feet and put his hands in the front pockets of his worn jeans. “I’d like to apologize to all of you for my behavior earlier today.”
They all nodded and murmured, “Yeah, yeah’s,” and “No worries.”
“I didn’t really think through how my action would be perceived and I’m sorry to…” he waited.
“Elizabeth,” Margo offered with a goofy smile.
He grinned like he’d won a prize. “I’m sorry to Elizabeth for frightening her.”
I smiled with my mouth closed. “All is forgiven.”
Brett looked around the hushed table. I shifted uncomfortably, waiting for him to leave.
He turned his eyes to me. In a softer tone, he asked, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I looked around the table. Some of them were suppressing laughter. Margo, wide eyed, was nodding jerkily.
Pushing my chair back, I took my napkin from my lap, set the red cloth on the table, and stood. “One minute.”
He tipped his head towards the bar and I walked in that direction. He placed his hand at the center of my back as he led me past the crush of tables to the bar. The intimacy of the touch sent shivers up my spine. Gesturing to a stool, he waited until I was situated before taking the seat next to me.
He faced me. “Elizabeth, that was a great question. Thank you for asking. I was going to go first, but I love that you’re interested.”
The bartender approached us. “Can I get you anything?”
Brett held up two fingers. “IPA”
“You got it.”
Brett turned back to me. “Where were we?”
“You were talking nonsense.”
He grinned and gave a thumbs up. “Right. Well, in answer to your question, I’m here with my brother, John, and his wife, Mia. The other guy is her brother, Jacob, which is a really complicated situation. But I’ll leave that story for another time. Mia and Jacob…”
My anxiety rose. I put my hand up, cutting him off. “Stop. Please.”
His shoulders relaxed, that amused look in his eyes again. The corners of his mouth turned slightly upward. His eyes crinkled at the corner. This time, he really looked at me. He seemed like a relatively intelligent guy, but this sort of cavalier behavior always wore me out.
“You don’t have to act like this. I’m here. I’ll talk to you.”
He glanced at his family. The girl rose her eyebrows at whatever he was trying to convey. When he turned back to me, he looked calm, relaxed. He put out his hand for a shake. “Hi, I’m Brett Barringer. I’m here for the weekend with my family. Do you live here?”
I shook. The calloused palm tickled my hand. “Elizabeth Cain. I do.”
The bartender set our beers on the bar. A waiter stood beside him, carrying my burger. “Do you want to eat here?”