On The Rocks

Glancing back at Gabby, I see her eyes lowered to the bar and a secret smile on her face. I love how all of this seemingly affects her.

Brody steps out of the back service area with Gabby’s and my sandwiches, laying them in front of us. He then fixes Alyssa a sweet tea, pushing it silently in front of her, all while never saying a word. I know Brody has been removed and a bit introverted since getting out of prison, but he never says a word around Alyssa… and I have to wonder why. Does she make him nervous? Or maybe something happened between them one summer when she was visiting? I doubt it, because of the age difference. Brody got arrested when he was twenty-two, so I don’t think the time frame fits, but it’s possible there could have been something there.

“I’m thinking of putting in a bid to Henry Coursier,” Gabby says, breaking into my thoughts.

My head snaps around to hers, and she’s looking at me for what I think may be approval, which she’ll get. I’m Team Gabby all the way at his point. “Seriously? That would be awesome.”

She smiles at my reaction and picks up a chip, popping it in her mouth.

“For the new store they’re going to be opening?” Alyssa asks.

Gabby swallows her food, takes a sip of water, and says, “Yeah… Steve had mentioned it to me when I saw him at Hunter’s house a few days ago. I think with this project more than halfway done, and with a good recommendation from Hunter, I stand a good shot of getting it.”

“Gabby, that would be amazing. You’re first commercial project, which you’ll be building from the ground up,” Alyssa says with enthusiasm.

“When will you submit it?” I ask her.

“Deadline is end of the week, but I have it almost ready. I started it over the weekend.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “When? You were with me all weekend.”

She shoots me a smirk. “After you fell asleep, I’d work on it. I didn’t have to start from scratch or anything. I looked at some of the ones my dad had done in the past. He built two of their stores. I used that as a template. I just have to get some prices on a few of the materials today, and then I’ll be finished.”

“I’m proud of you, Gabs,” I tell her.

Alyssa echoes that with a, “Me too.”

“Thanks guys. I mean… I don’t know if he’ll even consider it, but it can’t hurt to try, right? And Steve said he’d put in a good word for me with his dad.”

The thought of Steve Coursier helping Gabby with this burns my stomach. He clearly has interest in her, as evidenced by the fact he asked her out not but three days ago. I don’t say anything, however, because it’s not my place, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting Gabby know that I’m jealous of that douche.

Gabby pops off her barstool and gathers the remainder of her sandwich in her hand. “Actually… do you mind if I use the phone in your office to make some calls, so I can get the bid finished up?”

“Help yourself,” I tell her even as she starts to walk by me, to… well, help herself.

She brushes her shoulder against mine as she passes, murmuring to me in a soft, wondering voice, “One hour?”

“Best hour of your life, I guarantee it,” I tell her smugly.

“Can’t wait,” she says, and then heads toward my office.

“One hour for what?” Alyssa asks.

“Um… surfing lessons. I told Gabby I’d teach her how to surf.”

“Cool,” Alyssa says with a smile. I note that somehow in the last few minutes, Brody had ambled off and returned with Alyssa’s sandwich, which he set quietly in front of her.

“Thanks, Brody,” Alyssa says with a smile.

He doesn’t respond but starts to walk down to the other end of the bar. Okay, this is just a bit weird. Brody will at least converse with other people. It may only be in one-syllable words, or it may even just be a curt nod of the head, but he literally won’t engage Alyssa at all.

“Hey, Brody,” I call out to him.