Page 54 of Tides and Tidings

He slipped the paper ring onto my left ring finger and my heart could burst.

We both looked down at my hand.

“That’s weird,” we said in unison.

Our eyes met. I wasn’t sure where to go from here. I don’t know if he’s even going to remember this in the morning—hell, I don’t know if I will—but I was going to act like nothing happened unless he brought it up.

I grabbed my phone and sneakily snapped a picture of my hand.

“Do you want to head out to the last place on our list?” Charlie spoke up over the music. He had acted like his previous question was a run-of-the-mill one.

I nodded. I desperately needed a reprieve from the loud music and smell of cheap beer.

Charlie laced his fingers with mine and led me towards the door.

He led me down the block and around the corner to the last stop on our bar crawl—Tequila Cowboys. By my best guess, this is somewhat of a honky-tonk bar. This is right up Charlie’s alley.

As we stepped through the door, this place was much more chill than the previous two stops. The décor was cowboy chic—it wasn’t run down by any stretch of the imagination. It was modern with country accents. By the way Charlie’s shoulders relaxed, I could tell he was in his element.

“Wells and I came here a few times,” Charlie admitted. “It was a weeknight so it was quiet, but I have some good memories here.”

“Picking up women?” I joked, jabbing his side.

“That was all Wells. I played second fiddle.”

Wells is Charlie’s oldest friend. They go back to kindergarten. He’s one of those salt-of-the-earth people.

The first time I met Wells was at the Sea Reads Holiday Extravaganza last year. We ran out of shopping bags, and he offered to run out and buy some for us. Fifteen minutes later, he came back with three different sizes. Wells will do anything he can for random people he meets. If he were a dog, he would, without a doubt, be a golden retriever.

“That might’ve been true, but you’re my first fiddle tonight.” I wasn’t even sure if what I was saying made sense. I was at a weird point of being exhausted and buzzed.

“Last call at the bar. If you want a drink, now is the time to get one. I repeat. Last call!” The DJ raised the lights and paused the music to make the announcement. Charlie wrapped his arm around my shoulder and raised an eyebrow, silently asking me if I wanted anything.

I thought about it for a moment. After Charlie’s question a bit ago, I sobered up quite a bit and decided to allow myself one drink here. “I’ll have one more.”

Given how late it was, I was surprised that Tequila Cowboys wasn’t busier. Maybe it’s because it’s off the beaten path, or maybe it’s because the music isn’t blaring, but this was much more enjoyable.

We made our way to the bar and ordered our drinks. It was nice not to have to scream at the bartender.

“Hey, y’all. How are you doin’?” The bartender’s nametag said Trevor.

“Doin’ good. How are you?” Charlie responded.

“Can’t complain. What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a vodka and club soda, please.” I piped up.

“You’ve got it.” Trevor turned towards Charlie, “And for you, man?”

“I’ll have water, please.”

I looked at him, “I thought you were going to get a drink too?”

“I’m cutting myself off. Want to get us back to the hotel safely.” He pressed a kiss to my temple.

“Now I feel silly,” I admitted.

“Don’t.” Charlie looked around the bar. “There’s a pool table over there. Do you want to play?”