Thanks so much for reading! Love hearing your thoughts on this new crew :3

Hadley and my gals are the best! See you in a few days!

5

"You and Newton will be repairing the southern wall today, Cullen."

Harry, our foreman. He can be a real ass sometimes. But when I was struggling with the divorce, he gave me a few paid days off, which I really needed and appreciated. He told me to wallow or get wasted but to come back on Monday ready to put it all behind me.

It wasn't the gentlest advice, but it did work a little.

"I thought the southern wall was gonna get smashed, and I was gonna start from scratch?" I ask. I'm fine repairing it, as long as the damn thing is actually worth saving.

"Not anymore," he says, tone a little clipped. He's a man of few words, but sometimes I need more when it comes to my job.

"Since when?"

"Since I said,"

"So, the wall was verified as structurally sound, then?" I ask, following behind him.

He stops in place and looks at me. "You think I'd tell you to repair it if that weren't the case?"

He looks offended.

"No."

Without another word, he walks off, shaking his head.

Okay, then.

I glance around for Mike, but the vibration in my pocket distracts me.

Bella: I just walked by on my way to work, and a very weird thing happened.

I look at the time. She's early—it's only eleven. I'm a little irritated that I missed her since I've been on the other end of the job site all morning.

Edward: What happened?

Bella: I didn't hear a single whistle, catcall, or lewd comment. Happen to know anything about that?

I actually do, but I'm not gonna tell her.

Edward: You're right, that is weird.

Bella: Thank you.

I grin.

Edward: What makes you think I had anything to do with it?

Bella: I guess the only other explanation would be that my ass is suddenly no longer mouthwatering or comment-worthy?

I start to type "it definitely still is" then delete it.

Edward: No comment.

That's safer.

Bella: The difference between you and them is that I want you to comment ;)

Edward: Ha…

She's trying to kill me.

Bella: Are we still on for tomorrow night?

Edward: Definitely. Nothing on my end has changed.

After I asked when I could see her again, Thursday evening was the first time we could find that worked for both of us. She had suggested tonight after she gets off work at eight, but I have Riley on Wednesdays. I didn't mention Ri at that moment because I felt like that should be a conversation we have in person.

Instead, I told her that meeting up after eight was kinda late for me. It wasn't really a lie. After that shit I pulled last week by staying out all night, my body can't afford to do that again.

Eventually, we landed on meeting tomorrow since she has the day off, and we could meet at 6:30.

Bella: I'm looking forward to it.

Edward: Me too. Can I pick you up?

Bella: That works. I'll send you my address tomorrow. Gotta go, but thank you again for whatever you did to shut those guys up.

Edward: Any time.

=.=.=

After work on Thursday, I rush home, take a quick shower, throw on some clean clothes, then head to the address Bella sent me.

I pull up to the duplex ten minutes early. I don't wanna go up to the door yet, in case she's not ready, but a couple of minutes later she walks outside.

I'm halfway out of my truck when she opens the passenger door herself.

"Hey," she says, grabbing onto the handle above to hoist herself in.

"I would've gone to the door to get you. I just—"

"It's fine." She smiles, buckling up. "I saw you were here, and I was ready, so…"

"Okay." I run a hand through my still-damp hair. "You look nice."

She's wearing a white dress tonight. It's not fancy or anything, but it looks good on her, showing off her shoulders and tanned skin.

"You do, too." She eyes me, gaze heavy. "You're all… clean."

I laugh, buckling my seatbelt before typing the brewery address into Google Maps. "I showered. Trying to be presentable or whatever."

"I like you dirty, too," she says simply. Not sexual or flirting, just kind of matter-of-fact.

I don't know what to say to that, so I just smirk and shift into drive, pulling away from her place.

"Have you ever been to this brewery?" she asks, typing something on her phone.

"Nah. I don't go out much."

She kinda laughs and slips her phone into her purse. "I'm sure that's not true. You were out the other night when I met you."

"Yeah, that was rare, I guess. Jasper had been bugging me to meet up."

"I see."

"I'm just really tired after work. Morning comes too quickly."

"Right, I remember when we were texting you said that eight was kind of late to meet up," she says lightly.

I realize I sound kind of fucking lame, and I'm suddenly wondering why the hell she agreed to even go out with me at all.

I turn the corner and merge onto the main road now. I'm about to ask how her day was when she glances over her shoulder and looks in the backseat.

"Oh. Do you have a kid?" she asks out of nowhere.

Or I guess it's not out of nowhere because she must have seen the booster seat buckled in the back.

Having her ask that question and be the one who brings it up catches me off guard, though. I was gonna mention Riley tonight. Even if this thing is casual between us, I figured she should know. I'm flustered for a second then speak.

"I do, yeah." I clear my throat. "I was gonna tell you about her tonight."

She's quiet, and I really wish I weren't driving, so I could see her face to gauge her expression.

"How old is she?" she asks, curious and light.

"Riley is five, but some days it feels like she's going on fifteen."

Bella laughs. "Uh oh. That's a fun age. My older sister, Kate, has a six-year-old. He's a handful but so sweet."

Ease sets in. "Yeah, Riley is a handful, all right. But she's great." She's my entire life.

"Does she live with you?"

"I have her every other weekend and on Wednesdays. She's, uh, with her mom tonight."

"That's cool. So, you're… divorced?"

"I am." We hit a red light, so I glance her way now, and find a neutral expression. I've just divulged the biggest parts about myself in a matter of seconds—that I'm a dad and my marriage was a failure. She seems to be taking it all in stride, though. "I was gonna mention that, too."

"It's all good," she says.

"It's not too much?" I ask after a beat.

"No. If you were still married or merely separated, that would be too much."

Catching a smirk on her face, I appreciate how easygoing she's being about this.

A couple minutes of comfortable silence pass until we arrive at the brewery. Before she gets out, I tell her to hold on, then walk around the truck to open her door.

She smiles, getting out. "You're the first guy to ever do that for me."

"Really?" I guess I'm not that surprised. Most guys her age are fuckbois.

"Yeah. I was confused for a second when you told me to hold on." She laughs, and we fall into step with one another.

"I figured you were gonna try to get out on your own, so…"

"It was sweet. Thanks. But you don't have to do that all the time."

I shrug, knowing I'm still gonna try.

As we wait in line to order beer, she stands in front of me, looking up at the selection written on the chalkboard above the taps. I didn't realize how short she was the other night, but I notice it now.

She turns to me. "So, the hazy beer they have on tap is one that uses my dad's hops. You wanna try it?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

She orders two of them, and I reach over her to pay for both even though she protests. She thanks me, and I follow her outside until we find an empty picnic table where we sit on opposite sides.

We drink a few sips in silence, just people-watching.

"What do you think about the beer?" she wonders aloud.

"It's good." I take another sip. "It looks like orange juice."

She nods. "Yeah, it's kinda cloudy. It adds to the creamy mouthfeel," she says, and my mind is in the fucking gutter.

"Creamy mouthfeel," I echo, raising my brows, and she laughs.

"Yeah, okay, that sounded dirty," she agrees, smirking. "But this hazy beer is my favorite. It's tropical, but hoppy, without being bitter. This one uses like three varieties of my dad's hops, and—" She pauses, catches my eye. "Sorry, this is probably really boring to you." She laughs lightly.

"It's not. I like hearing about it," I say honestly. I like hearing her talk. "It's cool."

She just smiles and drinks without continuing.

"So…" I prompt, without anything really to say. "The other night, uh…"

"Yeah?"

"You said you're from Eastern Washington. Yakima, right? That's where your parents' hop farm is?"

She smiles. "Right."

"You visit often?"

She watches me, her eyes shining. "That's what you wanna talk about from the other night?"

I clear my throat and rub the back of my neck. "No, I'm just… to be honest, you threw me off earlier by asking if I had a kid."

"Oh." She holds my gaze, her eyes kind. "Sorry."

"Don't be. Really." I take a long drink of beer. "I feel like I should've mentioned it before you agreed to go out with me, so… sorry. I wasn't trying to hide it. I haven't dated anyone while having a kid, so I don't really know… protocol or whatever."

"So, we're dating now?" she teases.

"I—" Shut my mouth. "I didn't mean dating, just—"

"It's cool; I get it. I've never been with anyone who has a kid before, either," she admits. "But it's not weird or too much for me. I was being honest when I said that."

"Okay."

"You said the other night you wanted to keep things casual, right?"

"Right."

"So, as for protocol or whatever…" She smiles, repeating my words. "It's whatever you're comfortable with. I'm not expecting to meet your kid or anything if that's what you're worried about."

"I'm not worried. I'm just… really fucking blowing this, aren't I?" My laugh sounds self-deprecating, and I take another gulp of beer. "Shit. I'm sorry."

Bella laughs easily. "Stop, please. You're fine. It's cute."

"Cute?"

"It's sweet seeing you so uncomfortable. But now all I'm thinking about are ways to make you… more comfortable," she says, voice a little lower.

"You are?"

"Mmhmm." She brings her glass to her lips, her eyes on me as she drinks. She's about to say something else when two girls walk over and stand at the end of our picnic table, beers in hand.

"Hi, sorry!" one of the girls says with an apologetic smile. "Since there's only two of you, can we sit at the end of this table? The others are full."

I look at Bella—it seems like she's about to tell them yes because she's picking up her purse and starting to scoot to one end. But sharing this table with strangers makes this entire thing a little more casual than I'd like for it to be.

"We're on a first date, sorry," I tell them.

The girls look surprised I've just told them no. I guess I'm a little surprised, too. But not enough to change my mind and offer them a seat.

"Okay," the girl says, trying and failing not to look annoyed. "Thanks, anyway."

They walk off, and I can feel Bella's eyes on me.

"Was that rude?" I ask her, not really caring.

"No way. It was kinda sexy."

I bite back a grin. "You say that a lot."

"That you're sexy?"

"Yeah."

"'Because you are," she deadpans. "Look at you."

I guess I know I'm physically attractive. I'm lucky my job keeps me fit, so I've definitely bulked up in the last few years. But after the doozy Chelsea put me through, I kinda stopped caring and trying. But I'm caring more now, and Bella makes me wanna try. It feels fucking good.

"You are, too," I tell her, feeling bold from her admission. "Like, the sexiest woman I've ever been with."

She fights her own smile. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." My gaze grows heated, and I'm really fucking glad those two strangers aren't sitting next to us right now.

"The youngest, too?" she wonders.

I laugh. "That too."

Ease and attraction flows between us, and we just stare at one another for a beat before she says, "There's a food truck out front. I think it's barbecue. Are you hungry?"

"Fucking starving."

She chuckles. "Pretty sure this table is a hot commodity. I can go grab us some food while you hold down the fort," she offers.

I shake my head. "I'll grab dinner. My treat."

Her eyes narrow playfully. "Fine. But I get the next round?"

"Deal."

=.=.=

"Have you lived in Seattle your entire life?"

I nod, swallowing a bite of brisket sandwich before saying, "Yeah. Not that exciting."

She chuckles. "It's more exciting than growing up in Yakima. I mean, I love it there, but there isn't much going on. Such a small town, too, everyone's in everyone's business…"

"I'm kind of impressed you moved here on your own. When I was nineteen, I still lived at home and didn't know what the fuck I wanted to do with my life."

"Sometimes I wish I did still live at home, if only for the free rent," she says lightly. "But I can't live there and not help out around the farm, and that's not what I wanna spend my time doing."

"How'd you get into hairdressing?"

With a shrug she says, "It's fun. I get to be a little creative, and I like making people feel good about themselves." I smile at that because she's good at making me feel good about myself. I haven't felt wanted in a long time, but having her be so obvious in her attraction for me has been nice. "Before I landed on cosmetology school, I tried to take some classes at the community college, and it just wasn't for me. Figured why push a traditional degree if it didn't interest me."

"Yeah, I feel that. I never went to college," I say, and even if that sometimes is embarrassing to admit, it doesn't feel that way admitting it to her because it's something we have in common.

"How did you get into masonry?" she asks, her face open, not a single ounce of judgment present.

"It was just something to do. I started a three-year apprenticeship when I was twenty and stuck with it."

"The other night you said you like it," she comments, taking a bite of potato salad. "That you're patient and like working with your hands."

I smile a little because she remembers exactly what I said. "I am. It's therapeutic in a way, I guess." She finishes the rest of her beer. "You want another?" I ask.

"I do if you do."

"Sure."

"You want the same beer as before?"

I nod, thanking her. She stands from the table, and I try not to stare at her ass while she walks away. When she's back with two beers in hand, she doesn't sit across from me, but beside me.

I'm too aware of her while we finish eating. Her elbow brushing mine. The floral scent of her hair. The way she scoots just a little closer as the night goes on.

Around 7:45, I step away to call Riley and tell her goodnight, but Chelsea doesn't answer. It's kinda weird, but I figure bath time might be running late, so I decide I'll try again in fifteen minutes if I don't hear from her.

When I'm back at the table, I walk up to Bella taking a picture of her beer.

"What are you doing?" I ask, maybe a little nosy, but mostly curious.

"Whenever I'm out and find a beer that uses my dad's hops, I like to order it and take photos so I can tag the brewing company, and our farm, on Instagram. Just a little free marketing or whatever."

"Ah. Gotcha."

She focuses on her phone for a second, then looks at me. "Are you on Instagram?"

I chuckle. "No."

"Facebook?"

"Nope."

She regards me. "No social media at all?"

"Nah. I'll browse Reddit sometimes, but otherwise I'm not on my phone too much."

"I kinda love that," she says, slipping her phone into her bag.

"You don't have to put your phone away."

"Yes, I do." She stares at my face for a beat. "It's a good reminder to be present."

"Yeah," I agree, a little too seriously because the sky behind her is burning, making her glow, and it catches me off guard. I'm not the kind of guy that notices stuff like this, the way the setting sun makes someone even prettier, but I notice it about her.

I might be fucked.

By the time we're both done with our beers, I'm tired, barely fighting off the yawns that keep creeping up on me.

"Oh, no." She laughs, facing me, still sitting on the same side. "It's 8:01."

I'm confused. "Yeah?"

"Isn't past eight too late for you?" She's grinning. Teasing me. And I like it.

"Yeah, you're right." I play along. "Better call it a night."

"No," she whines, laughing, touching my arm. "One more? But maybe we can get out of here."

I watch her face. "And go where?"

"I'd say my place, but I have a roommate, so…"

I'm not sure why her having a roommate matters, but with the way she's looking at me, I catch on real fucking quick.

I swallow thickly. "Okay. We can go to my place."

We're about to get up when my phone rings.

"I gotta take this," I tell Bella.

"Okay. You do that, I'll head inside to use the bathroom."

She leaves, and I turn around so my back is against the table as I answer.

"Hi, Peanut."

It's not Riley, though. It's Chelsea.

"She passed out early," Chelsea tells me, her tone tired. "I think she's getting sick."

"Shit. Does she have a fever?"

"No, she's just really lethargic and clingy. She didn't want to eat dinner, either. You know how she gets. She's passed out in my bed right now."

"Okay. Hopefully it's nothing. Keep me posted?"

"Of course," she says lightly. The people at the table next to me start laughing. "Oh, are you out?" Chelsea asks.

"Yeah, just… yeah," is all I say.

Bella starts to walk back up, but when she sees me still on the phone, she keeps her distance, giving me some privacy.

Chelsea's next question makes me cringe and pisses me off. "Are you on a date?"

"Can we not do this?" I ask quietly, feeling uncomfortable.

She laughs into the line, but it's bitter. "That's a 'yes.'"

I sigh. "I gotta go. Will you keep me posted, please? Even if it's just to say she's all good."

"Yep," she says, clipped, then hangs up.

Bella moves closer and eyes me. "Everything okay?"

I look up at her. "Yeah."

She stands between my legs then, hands on my shoulders, giving them a small squeeze. My muscles are tense, and her touch feels so fucking good, I almost moan. "You sure you're good?"

"Yeah." The interaction with Chels kinda put me in a funk, but I'll get over it.

"You still wanna get out of here?"

I nod, fingers barely brushing her thighs, so she'll step closer. "Yeah."

"That all you got to say?" She laughs, staring down at me. "Yeah, yeah, yeah."

My smile is small. "Yeah." I squeeze the sides of her thighs. "Let's go."