Page 130 of Hidden Ties

“Something wrong?”

Realizing Kent was holding the back door of the car open, she climbed inside. “No, I’m fine.”

He sat next to her and sent her a searching look. She was unable to lie to him, so she gave him a partial truth.

“I don’t get a lot of free time. I can’t remember the last time I had a free night.”

“Then I’m glad I was able to talk you into coming out with me tonight.”

“Me, too.” Grinning at him, she decided she was going to step around the barrier she usually placed herself behind to enjoy the night with Kent. How long had it been since she had acted like a normal single woman in the company of an attractive man? Her freshman year, she had gone to one baseball game and had hotdogs afterward.

When they arrived at the beer festival, she was amazed at the number of tents set up. Her heart started fluttering when he took her hand the moment they stepped out of the car.

“Where should we start?” She looked up at him wonderingly.

“Have you never been to a beer fest before?”

“No. My dad died before I was at legal drinking age.”

“None of your boyfriends took you to one, or you didn’t go with friends?”

“No, I didn’t have the opportunity.”

His hand tightened around hers. “Then we need to make up for it tonight.” Kent pointed at a tent about six feet from where they were standing. “First lesson, you want to check out the ones that have a line.”

“That makes sense.”

Holding hands, they got in line. As they waited, Kent told her about the various beer fests he had attended. When it was their turn, he let her choose the beer she wanted to sample before choosing his. While sipping their drinks, they started walking along the rows of stalls, each of them taking turns picking out which one to go to next.

After the first one, they ordered sample sizes, and Sage felt her nervousness ease as the night progressed.

They were throwing their latest cup away, when Kent pulled her back before she could get in another line. “I think we should grab something to eat before we drink anymore.”

Lighthearted, she pouted at him then wanted to smack herself. She glanced away from him and bit her lip to bring herself back to reality. Kent might be holding her hand and being solicitous, but she couldn’t tell if his behavior was meant to be romantic or friendly.

The embarrassment she felt for even considering they were on a real date made some of the night lose its luster. Being out with Kent was no different than if she had come out with Brian.

When she caught him looking at her, she forced herself to act carefree, as she had been doing.

“Stop it.”

Surprised at the low anger radiating from his voice, she turned toward him, forgetting to watch where she was going. She stumbled and would have fallen if Kent hadn’t caught her.

“Be careful. They should have taped those cords down better if they needed power,” Kent muttered, holding her elbow as he led her through the door of a restaurant. “Let’s get a bite to eat.”

Despite the crowd outside, the restaurant wasn’t busy. Staring around, she appreciated the muted lighting. Drinking beer on an empty stomach might not have been the world’s brightest idea.

She sank onto the cushioned seat of a booth but wasn’t given time to relax.

“Scoot over.”

Stunned, she made room for Kent to sit down next to her. Awkwardly, she took the menu the host handed her, swallowed down her shyness, and pretended having an attractive man sitting next her was nothing new.

Soft music and quiet conversations surrounding them eased the tension she was feeling.

“What looks good to you?” She forced the words out, trying to resume the lightheartedness she had felt earlier.

“What I want isn’t on the menu.”