Something Real (Whiskey Men, #2)(12)

Lilian





I may need to rethink things.

Maybe with all the changes recently, I shouldn’t be making rash decisions.

I look across the table at my date. Not that dating is a rash decision. I mean, the guy seems nice enough. But is this what I want?

My thoughts go to Ford, and I know they shouldn’t. I shouldn’t be thinking of my hot older boss. I shouldn’t be thinking about that kiss we shared, and I sure shouldn’t be wondering what he’s doing right now.

I take a sip of water, and it turns into a gulp. As if drinking the water is going to wash my thoughts away. If only it was that easy.

Come on, Lilian. Put in some effort here.

I clear my throat and put the water down. “So tell me about you, Ty.”

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he points at my drink. “Are you sure you’re good with water? I can get you another drink or something. Maybe some of that Blaze Whiskey.”

I laugh at his joke. You’d think since I work at one of the largest whiskey distilleries in Tennessee, I’d drink the stuff. And I do… sometimes. But I’m thinking for a first date, water is a better idea.

“Thank you, Ty. Water is good. Especially when we get back out there,” I tell him, pointing to the dance floor.

“You sure do like to dance.”

I nod enthusiastically even though dancing is really not my favorite thing. But I do prefer it to sitting here trying to figure out what to say to the man in front of me when I’m thinking about Ford.

“So you work with Philip. Are you in sales like him?”

He nods and finishes off his drink. “I am. At least for now, anyway. If Philip takes the promotion, then he’ll be moving on and up.”

I’m focused now. “Promotion?”

He nods. “Yeah, the company offered him a promotion to regional sales director. He’s supposed to give an answer when he gets back from his honeymoon.” His eyes get big. “Do you know what his answer’s going to be?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t have a clue.”

My mind starts to whirl. Carrie hasn’t said anything to me about it. I have a thousand questions, like what exactly does this promotion entail, but I’m not going to ask. I’ll wait to hear from Carrie. I push my glass away. “You ready to get back out there?”

He laughs. “Yeah, let’s go work up an appetite.”

I nod and lead the way to the dance floor. It’s a line dance, and for the next few minutes, Ty and I laugh over our missteps. It’s when I feel a tingle at my neck that I look up and stumble on my feet. Ford and Austin are sitting at a table a few feet away. Austin is talking, but Ford’s eyes are on me.

What’s he doing here? I don’t think he normally hangs out here after work through the week. I’m pretty sure he spends most of his time at Ollie’s sporting events or at home.

Ty takes my brief stumble as meaning we need to take a break. “Come on, let’s go order some food. I’m starving.”

I point toward Ford and Austin and tell Ty I’m going to go say hi. I’m not sure if he hears me, but he follows behind me. Ford watches me the whole way to him, if he notices Ty, he doesn’t act like it. As soon as I stop next to the table, I ask, “Where’s Ollie?”

“He’s with Lucas and Isabella.”

I nod. “So what are you two doing here?” I want to ask him if he remembers me saying I had a date here tonight. Did he come here because of me? I’ve noticed a difference between the two of us, and I’m not sure what to think.

Austin’s head is swinging between Ford and me, but he’s not saying a word, which is weird for him. Ford’s eyes never leave mine. “I wanted to come and check things out.”

“Oh!” I say.

After a brief silence, Austin leans forward. “Hey. I’m Austin, and this is my brother, Ford. We work with Lilian.”

“She’s mine… I mean, she’s my assistant.” Ford says with a glaring smile at Ty.

I merely stand here, tongue-tied when I feel Ty press to my back as he leans forward to shake hands with them. I cough and move away from Ty’s touch, my eyes still on Ford. I swear I see disapproval in his face before I force my gaze away. “Guys, this is Ty. He works with my sister’s husband.”

Ford shakes Ty’s hand, and I watch as Ford’s forearm flexes and his jaw tightens. When Ty pulls his hand away, he flexes it and shakes it before dropping it to his side. I put a hand on his shoulder. “So we should probably go and eat. I’m starving. You hungry, Ty?” I don’t wait for him to answer before I start pushing him away from the table. “Bye, guys, see you in the morning,” I tell Ford and Austin before making it across the room to our table.

As soon as I sit down in my seat, I realize that when I look at Ty, Ford is in my vision right over his shoulder. I try to ignore the glare from Ford, but it’s impossible because I swear I can feel his eyes on me.

Ty waves down the waitress, and she comes over with her pad and pencil. “What can I get you?”

She’s looking at Ty, smiling, but he gestures to me. “I’ll take the chicken sandwich and French fries.”

Ty puts the menu back in the holder at the middle of the table. “I’ll take the same.”