Games We Play (41 page)

Luis pointed to the blackboard behind him, where the daily listings were posted.

“Third from the top,” he said, and smiled as he watched her eyes find the name.

She returned his smile.
Kend-ale
, it read. She was surprised and moved like you wouldn’t believe.

“I know, right? Congratulations, the soon-to-be Mrs. Cooper,” he said, pointing at her before he shook his head, chuckling. Why did she feel like crying all of a sudden at this small yet huge gesture? She was happy for Cooper, happy about the great turnout tonight, all these people packed in to celebrate the town of Coopersville.

“He’s free now, so go on back,” Luis said five minutes later.

“What a turnout, huh?” she said at the door. He was sitting behind his desk, and her heart filled with pleasure at the smile that covered his face when his eyes met hers.

“I know,” he said, smiling as he met her at the door and pulled her in, closing the door behind them.

“I love your new beer,” she said, and he smiled, pushing his body into hers.

“I love you,” he said, and kissed her.

“Honey—smooth, subtle, and soft—a natural sweetness, very lightly hopped, with a peach flavor finishing just at the back of your throat. You and my ass again,” she said, and he laughed, amused that she’d picked up on his reference to his favorite part of her anatomy, which he thought of often.

“Exactly,” he said, and smiled. “How did it go in Austin?”

“Good. I can work from here some nights, but I can’t change my schedule too much until next year.”

“I was thinking about opening up a place in Austin in case you don’t want to live here. I’m going up to meet with a realtor to talk space. That way it won’t all be on you.”

“No way. Are you really?” she said, staring into his eyes.

“I love you,” he said.

“I guess you do,” she said, smiling and kissed him again.

RUTHIE ROBINSON resides in Austin, TX with her husband and two teenage children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Clark College and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Texas in Austin (Hook ’em horns!). She worked for more than a decade in the banking industry before turning her love of stories into a second career.

She may be contacted at her website—

www.ruthierobinson.com
.